| MPEA: Trail History |
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| When the first "nature trail" was being completed some names were proposed for its three sections. Those names were not approved by the Department of Recreation and Parks, but are used here. |
| The Al Geis Loop Trail begins at the parking lot and follows an old farm road to a meadow. Here the trail splits, beginning a loop. The easy way to walk is to take the right fork, almost straight ahead. You will encounter a fairly steep downhill section, but the return slope is very gentle. Just a short distance to the right of where the loop begins are the remains of some old farm buildings. |
| There are two reasons for the Sierra Slope section that begins here and goes to the river. Early in the days of Columbia's development it was thought to put a ski slope here. A cut was made from the crest of the trail down to the left. On some old maps this shows as a road. For reasons unknown to me, the project was abandoned. The second reason for the name is that this section of the trail was largely complete with the help of the Howard County Sierra Club. |
| The trail follows an old farm trail. Originally -both as the old farm trail and as the new Sierra Slope - the trail went almost directly to the river. DPR (Department of Recreation and Parks, Howard County) re-routed the lower section of this trail to join River Walk further upriver. Consequently, the trail makes a left turn (at a bench) and rambles steeply through the woods to the river. Unfortunately part of tre-routed area is often muddy and one may encounter many mosquitoes (seasonally). |
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| As construction of the parking area began |
| Planning/working session for trails |
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| Dedication services in parking area |
| At the river begins the second section of the trail, River Walk. Being close to the river, this section is more likely to be wet after rains. Flooding is not uncommon. The crossing over a small stream in on the remains of a temporary bridge used during installation of sewer lines in this area. Just across the river you may spot some of Columbia's housing. |
| Naturist Lane begins as the trail leaves the river. The section was completed by the Columbia Area Naturists who continued to help maintain all of the Al Geis loop in the years immediately after the loop was opened. The route for this section follows, again, an old farm road, except for skirting wetter sections near the river. Much of it was rediscovered (and reopened) through the efforts of Al Geis. It has some pre-Columbia history [see the page on Trail Sections] |
| Al Geis is a former president of the Middle Patuxent Valley Association which kept up an active interest in preserving this area during the years of Columbia's development. Now you know why I proposed "Al Geis Loop Trail" for the entire trail. |
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| Prior to the area becoming a park. Sign = "No Dumping or Trespassing" |
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| Photo History |