Howard County Bird Club
Old Frederick Road Detailed Information
Old Frederick Road, upstream and downstream, is a section of Patapsco Valley State Park (PVSP) on both sides of the Patapsco River which in this area is the boundary between Howard County and Baltimore County.
Habitat: Deciduous forest adjacent to Patapsco River. Open area along railroad tracks.
Layout: The Patapsco River in this area forms the boundary between Howard County and Baltimore County. The bridge where Old Frederick Road crosses the Patapsco River (changing name to Johnnycake Road on the Baltimore County side) provides access to a section of the 14,000 acre Patapsco Valley State Park (PVSP) which runs 32 miles along the Patapsco River. As you descend Old Frederick Road and cross the railroad tracks take a sharp right into the gravel parking lot before crossing the bridge. What looks like a parking lot on the left before the railroad tracks is a turnaround area and is posted “no parking.” This is not a fee area. There are no facilities. For information, call park headquarters M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 410-461-5005. To report problems, call the headquarters or Park Watch at 1-800-825-PARK.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall migration for birds; early summer for plants and odonates.
Birding: Most of the same species can be seen both upstream and downstream, although there was a time when spring or early summer might produce a Prothonotary Warbler downstream. Old Frederick Road, like most sections of this park, combines floodplain and steep hillsides with a partial view of the sky. The floodplain may be
narrow or wide (including land on the opposite side of the river) so Acadian Flycatchers, Northern Parulas, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are a near-certainty. Eastern Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, and orioles can be seen and heard along the tracks, and Eastern Wood-Pewees, Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Thrushes, and Scarlet Tanagers sing from the wooded uphill areas. Sometimes a Yellow-throated Vireo or an Ovenbird can be heard. Unfortunately, deer have stripped most of the understory so Hooded, Kentucky, and Black-and-white Warblers are few. Hawks and Ospreys can usually be seen overhead; sometimes an eagle soars. The professionally produced PVSP “Complete Trail Map” is recommended.
Whether birding upstream or downstream, it is necessary to walk adjacent to the railroad tracks at times. These are active tracks and passing trains can be long. Although their approach can usually be heard from some distance giving you time to move well away, be alert to their presence.
Upstream. Bird the area around the parking lot. Cross Old Frederick Road to walk upstream. This is the more quiet option with less traffic noise. The path is a level broad gravel road on the river side of the railroad tracks which gives views down to the river and into the treetops. There are occasional places to scramble down the bank and access fishing trails along the river, but most travel will be along a broad path on a high bank along the river side of the railroad track. Large boulders and rapids add scenic interest in this section of the river. On the opposite bank (Baltimore County) the road parallels the river for a short distance but soon angles up the hill. One can walk about a mile along the tracks to an area where power lines cross high above. If trying to reach Daniels Road, the next car access point upstream, look for poorly marked trails leading up on either side of a seasonal stream just before the power lines. Walk up these moderate to steep slopes a short distance to reach a trail along the power line. Walk out to the trail end by the river for a scenic view. Walk away from the river and angle
around the shoulder of the hill generally to the right at junctions to reach Daniels Road in about .6 miles. Walk down Daniels Road a few hundred yards to reach the river and parking areas, approximately 1.4 miles from the Old Frederick Road parking lot.
Most birders continue a short distance beyond the power lines. When the trail peters out at a place where the tracks swing close to the river, it is time to turn around. It is possible to walk cautiously along the active tracks a little farther on the uphill side, but soon the tracks will enter private property and then cross the river on a railroad bridge before reentering the PVSP on the Baltimore County side. It is not possible to walk along the tracks and reach Daniels Road.
Downstream. Despite the noise from several highway crossings high over the river, walking in this direction can be rewarding. Downstream travel covers a combination of narrow fishing/deer trails, a gravel path along the railroad tracks, and a well-worn dirt path around the Union Tunnel. The most well-defined trail along the river can be found between the parking lot and the I-70 bridge, but it is not easy to find. About 100 yards east of the parking lot, look for narrow access trails toward the river (in the vicinity of a large pile of railroad ties). This river path is well-shaded. Ostrich Fern, rare in Howard County, can be seen in large patches. This trail does not go all the way
to I-70, so it is necessary to return to the gravel along the railroad tracks. The river, which has been placid with a few rapids, becomes increasingly rocky. The rapids under I-70 have been particularly productive for unusual dragonflies. Continue on the cobblestone surface until reaching Union Tunnel, a good point at which to turn around. At this point, the trail swings to the left of the tunnel and follows the river. Unfortunately, invasive
vegetation dominates here. The US 40 overpass indicates that the Hollofield section of the park is on the bluff high above. Retrace your steps to Old Frederick Road.
Although no attempt is made in this publication to systematically describe sites outside Howard County, it is worth noting that during the summer, especially on hot, sunny days, an additional option is to cross the Old Frederick Road bridge (with caution) and walk in either direction along the remnants of an old road on the Baltimore County side of the river. The path is almost entirely shaded. It can be a useful vantage point when examining vegetation along the Howard County side of the river.
Highlights: Easy access to river habitat; high banks give mid-level views into the tree tops; easy hearing distance of birds on the hillsides.
Handicapped Access: The parking lot and trails upstream and downstream are mostly level and gravel. The cobblestone-size gravel can be difficult walking for anyone with mobility problems. Some floodplain species can be heard and seen from the parking area. The narrow trails along the river are usually reached down an embankment.