Henryton Road
Patapsco Valley State Park
Henryton Road, Marriottsville Maryland 21104
Amenities: There are no facilities. Alpha Ridge Park has the closest public facilities.
Handicapped Access: Parking is on asphalt. There is good birding from the parking area. The upstream road becomes the main trail, which is sometimes muddy. Downstream trails have moderate to steep slopes and will be difficult for the mobility impaired.
Habitat: Mature floodplain and upland deciduous forest; some field and edge.
Layout: Henryton Road leads downhill from Old Frederick Road (MD 99) to the South Branch of the Patapsco River. The road dead ends at the river where a bridge once crossed. Parking is on the turnaround. The area is also popular with anglers and horse riders. Do not block the road and bridge 100 yards south of the turnaround area.
The river in this area forms the boundary between Howard County and Carroll County. As one faces the river, River Road is upriver about 3.3 miles; Marriottsville Road is downriver about 1.3 miles.
After parking at the end of the road, cross the guardrail and bird the short section of blocked-off road ending at the river. This higher vantage point gives mid-level views into the trees and across the river. The brushy shoulders of the abutment and parking area are good for sparrows in an otherwise open forest. If you arrive before sunrise, you may wish to first walk downstream a short distance where an east- facing slope receives the first sun. There is a choice of three trails downstream. The trail beginning to the right of the abutment at the parking lot runs close to the river and crosses a rocky area before leveling out. Another downstream trail leads east from the parking lot along the slope. Shortly from that path, a third trail branches to the right upslope, leading in 0.3 miles to a meadow. Most birders will stay on the middle trail which leads along the slope above the river, giving mid-level views into the floodplain trees and down to the river. After a few hundred yards the trail turns up a stream valley away from the river. If your intention is to walk west, then this is a good point at which to turn around. (This trail will be described in more detail below.) Return to the parking lot by the same trail or by descending the open slope to the river and returning on the river trail.
Upstream – After returning to the parking lot, descend the road shoulder on a horse trail and follow the river to a small stream. This section is often quite birdy. It is also an area where tick precautions are necessary as downed trees and narrow trails make contact with grass and brush inevitable. Follow the trail up the small stream away from the river, watching the banks for Louisiana Waterthrushes. The banks afford habitat for sparrows and other ground birds. When the water is low, you may be able to cross the stream at a horse crossing; otherwise, follow the trail back toward the road and away from the river to a bridge where Eastern Phoebes are often found. After crossing the bridge, turn right following the trail to the river.
A good trail continues west along the river. Side streams and rocky outcrops vary the terrain. One can continue along the river for another mile before the main trail leaves the river and goes upslope.
Downstream – After the first quarter-mile, the trail closest to the Patapsco River runs along one of the wilder sections of the river and contains the most difficult section of downstream trail. As a reward, this is also quite a birdy area. Watch your footing as the trail is often slippery and sloped toward the river. After negotiating this stretch where the river makes a sharp bend, the floodplain opens up again, and travel becomes easier. At 0.8 miles from the parking lot the trail joins the tracks where they come in through the Henryton tunnel from the Carroll County side. From here it is 0.4 miles to Marriottsville Road.
One can return upstream along the river or continue a short distance along the tracks to a trail junction where a trail leads upslope. The trail will gain elevation, winding through open forest up a stream valley. Although the trail stays in the woods, a broad field is off to the side, and a short detour will afford views of this open space. After it reaches its highest elevation, the trail winds down through another wooded stream valley, reaching the Henryton parking lot again after 1.1 miles.
For more information on this state park, see Patapsco Valley State Park.
Compiler: Scott Berglund.
