Coal Mining

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 1.25 miles

Restrooms: Yes

Stroller Friendly: Yes

Wheelchair Friendly: No

Playground: No

Dog Friendly: Yes

Location: Lock 12 Recreation Area/Mason-Dixon Trail

Clues for Your Hike

1. From the parking area, walk to the yellow gate. Take the gravel path down the hill toward the river.
2. Cross the brown bridge (Lock 12 will be on your right) and turn left onto the Mason-Dixon Trail at the red danger sign.
3. This trail is marked with blue blazes on the trees. Continue on the trail past the second red danger sign on your right.
4. Continue following the Mason-Dixon trail a good distance. At the creek, take the trail to the left following the blue blazes.
5. You will see stone walls on the left. Follow the trail as it goes around the back of these walls.
6. A silver chain-linked fence should now be on your right. Walk up the slight incline toward the end of the fence that has a blue blaze on it.
7. Turn right onto the road and walk across the bridge.
8. Carefully cross the street and look for a tree on the left with the blue blazes.
9. At this tree, turn left and follow the trail uphill past three large rocks.
10. Follow the trail up the hill, looking for a bench on your right, to find the post.
11. Enjoy the view of the waterfall on your left.
12. To return to the parking area, turn around and go back down the hill.
13. At the bottom, turn right onto the road. Carefully walk alongside the road until you reach the parking area.

Did You Know?

• Large-scale coal mining developed during the Industrial Revolution, where coal provided the main source of primary energy for industry and transportation.
• Coal mining continues as an important economic activity today but has begun to decline.
• Coal mining dates back over 3,000 years.