Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 20 ish to 24 ish-Mason Dixon Line to Deal

Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail

June 19, 2020

Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail 20 ish to 24 ish-Mason Dixon Line to Deal

I really enjoyed this day. Full of history, sites, views, and very relaxing. The history of this trail includes the Mason Dixon Line, the Big Savage Tunnel, and the Eastern Continental Divide, and the highest point on the Great Allegheny Passage, i.e. everything else is downhill mainly for the rest of the trip to Pittsburgh.

Mile 20ish to 21-Mason Dixon Line

I love this little park. I am glad it was my stopping point two days in a row. (Note: I have to back track to my car for most of the trail.)

You get this view when you sit on the square blocks. It is just so peaceful. It also has a helipad and text and sometimes phone calls can get through here in a major emergency.

But back to the trail which turns to the left as you go away from the park.

As you leave the park, you get these amazing views across to another mountain.

The turn is so nice an green in June.

It turns into a nice straight away with a windmill on top of the hill for all those chasing windmills.

With little bubble bees getting food.

A few rock walls.

But you arrive at the Mile 21 marker.

Brief History

The Mason-Dixon Line was what formed the boarders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia but it was so much more. In 1820, the Missouri Compromise divided the free states to the North and the slave states to the South of the Mason Dixon Line.

Before the Civil War, Africa American Slaves could use the Underground Rail Road to work their way over the Mason Dixon Line to their freedom. Once over the line, they were free but had to watch for those that would take them back over the line.

As you walk along the first 30 miles of the GAP trail, a lot of places are part of the Underground Rail Road including a church less then a block from the beginning of the trail. Just look up as you cross the first street.

Between July 1 and July, 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg would be the Southerns attempt to breach the Mason Dixon Line and take the War to the North. The attempt was the beginning of the end of the South as they would be on the defensive until the war ended.

The Mason Dixon Line not only divided land but the economical, social, and thought patterns of those in the early American history. Today, the Mason Dixon Line is still along the boarders but it is more historical value then used as a marker.

For the early history on how it got it’s name, see my post at https://penelopepercivaltravels.com/15ish-to-20-plus-frostburg-to-mason-dixon-line/.

Mile 21-Rock Walls & Big Savage Tunnel

The trail goes to the right with…

Rock walls…And I love rock walls!

A bit of a straight away.

With more rock walls.

Then a turn to the left.

Opening up to this great little a park with a bathroom (the last until Deal).

Picnic tables and bike fixing tools.

Great views of the valley below.

Some great seating for a rest.

Then around another corner for a suprise.

The Big Savage Tunnel which is 3,294 feet long which is .62 miles long. Unless it is very hot out, add a sweater or a jacket because it is about 10 to 15 degrees colder in the tunnel.

And it has my favorite rock walls.

But they are a bit wet which is a bit concerning.

These doors are closed on both sides of the tunnel between late November to early April. There is no real way around. But you can get to them and get back to Frostburg or Deal but the mountain weather can change very quickly.

As you enter the tunnel, you can see the other side of the tunnel which is straight except for this part of the entrance.

About half way through the tunnel on either side is the Mile 22 marker which is easy to miss.

Brief History

In 1649, King Charles II granted seven Englishman all of Virginia between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers as Proprietary called the Northern Neck Proprietary.

By 1719, Lord Thomas Fairfax became the only owner of the grant. By 1736, significant feuds over the boundaries forced Lord Fairfax to have several survey expeditions completed on his land to use in the English Courts.

John Savage would be one of the surveyors. During that time, surveyors would name things that they surveyed which is how Savage Mountain, Little Savage Mountain, Big Savage Mountain, Savage River, and Savage, Maryland got their names.

Mile 22-Big Savage Tunnel, a Stream, and a currently dried up Stream