The Road Less Traveled

Baltimore Series: Falls Road/ Lake Roland Trail

     In my attempts to cast Baltimore in a more positive light, by documenting the less noteworthy farmers' markets, festivals, and establishments, I decided it was time to focus in on a free recreational opportunity that gets little recognition from the city and its residents. Parallel to Falls Road, in between Lake Avenue and Ruxton Road, runs the Lake Roland hiking trail. It is certainly not empty, but gets little publicity and is not thoroughly mapped or marked, so it remains a cozy and intimate place to walk the dogs or break in those new hiking boots.
     In just days, I will be setting out on an adventure- even before I arrive at college, I'll be hiking through some New England wilderness for four days as part of Tufts University's TWO, or Tufts Wilderness (Pre)-Orientation program. I don't know where I'll be going-- it could be New Hampshire's White Mountains, or western Massachusetts. Maybe Vermont and possibly Maine. But as I backpack and slip in mud and stumble through brambles, I'm sure to think upon Thornton Wilder's beloved Grover's Corners, the small New Hampshire town featured in his three-act play, "Our Town." As a result, I have recently been inspired to push the envelope, both to break in the boots and to see what exactly I am getting myself into. But what I have discovered, rather serendipitously, is a deeply-rooted appreciation for God and nature-- a new, more literal, passion for nature.

     Now I am no english teacher, no author. And certainly no Thoreau or Emerson, but even I feel inspired when I am out on the trail. Being alone, or with those important to you, is serene and, yes, transcendental. The Lake Roland trail presents a canvas upon which to paint your own adventure, blaze your own trail. A place to reflect and gain some self-awareness. To remind you that, like Wilder noted, our existence is of infinitesimal significance in the grand scheme of things, our problems are petty and our lives at the mercy of a greater being, of things greater than we.
     But, I've digressed, gone off trail, so to speak. Returning to Lake Roland, the trail consists of one main path with various arteries running through it. As far as I can tell from my exploring, they all essentially lead to one spot, where the lightrail cuts across and one meets the end of his hike. Or maybe not, for the best part about trails is one can follow them to infinity, even if it means walking in a loop.
     As one begins the trail, it snakes along a creek but remains directly parallel to Falls Road, and it takes a while to leave the road behind. Whirs and zooms pervade the air, mixing with bees buzzing, birds chirping, dogs barking, water running, and the occasional frog ribbit. There are numerous rocks and steep climbs, many of which do not include any kind of well-traveled path and are certainly not for the faint of heart. One can, however, enjoy incredibly views from the tops of these ascents. One notable rock is not particularly high, or intriguing, but resembles The Lion King's Pride Rock, and thus is an instant favorite.
     There is a short bridge not too far from the trail's "start." (Cars can access this area driving either direction on Falls, and can park along the side of the trail's entrance.) Below, one is almost guaranteed to come across several dog-lovers, admiring their pups, both young and old, as they splash around in the water below. The young ones frolick and explore, while the elder ones prefer to wade into the shallow waters and rest their arthritic limbs.
      By taking a left, and walking down a steep decline, just before crossing this bridge, one finds Artery #1, a trail that follows the creek's flow northward. This path winds its way along Darnall and Circle Roads in Ruxton, and one can admire the contemporary yet quaint homes nestled into the side of a steep cliff. Soon, the occasional car can be heard again, and the path runs up to a small bridge, located at the end of L'Hirondelle Club Road.
      Across the bridge, one may take another immediate right and follow a short trail into an impressive clearing. A circular trail has been mowed, and one can follow it around an expansive meadow. The hiker is guaranteed to encounter various bird species- cardinals, bluejays, even the goldfinch. But even more frequent are the butterfly sightings- it is nearly impossible to avoid stepping on one. They cover seemingly every square inch, flitting and floating from one tall grass or flower to the next- swallowtails and butterflies of various gorgeous, breathtaking colors seem to put on a performance, and they will certainly delight those who walk the loop.
     My great-grandfather Alexander B. Klots, author of "The Field Guide to Butterflies," would find himself in heaven. I believe I've even seen a few monarchs. There was no determinable path back to the main trail from this location, so I would advise following it back to the club road and following the trail back along the other side and up to the bridge. (Then again, instinct and improvisation only make exploring more authentic and meaningful, right?)

     Once one crosses the trail, he can diverge on any combination of small trails, but they all frequently converge at a series of crossroads. This is the way to the lightrail-- the so-called "end." One can run, bike, hike, walk, or meander through these paths; I still have not taken every one, and prefer to just feel my way around. Throughout the walk, one can enjoy gorgeous views of Lake Roland, and there are many paths winding down to the water's edge. Some even have miniature docks upon which one can sit and simply feel transcendental. From the hooks and lines hanging from low branches, it is evident that some have found these spots ideal (or not so) fishing locations, while empty Natural Light cans would imply that the trail has, indeed, attracted a youth demographic...
     Nevertheless, I am constantly, and pleasantly, surprised by the astonishingly low amount of trash and litter along the trail. Everyone seems to, for the most part, have a sense of personal accountability, a responsibility to society to keep it pristinely clean. Animals flock the area, and if one is lucky, he may stumble across any number of Whitetail Deer, the occasional bull or tree-frog, and even Maryland's famed blue heron.
     The Lake Roland trail, for all its splendor, and all of the wondrous opportunities for discovery that it provides, remains a path less taken. Perhaps this is a good thing- but to let a few more onto the secret couldn't hurt. It literally lives as a reminder, as tangible proof, that in the midst of busy lives and workdays and heavily trafficked roads, there is an entirely opposite world, a separate peace. The isolation of spending time on this trail is not upsetting, but rather heartening. It provides a place for us to become better, more thoughtful, more aware peoples. A place to splash in crisp, unpolluted waters, and to watch your kids' eyes light up (I imagine). It reminds us that Baltimore City and Baltimore County have amazing offerings, if one only opens his eyes to them.
     So I encourage you to take a Sunday stroll, a run, a dog walk, or a directionless, stumbling trip, through the Lake Roland trail, finding your own favorite spots and making your own memories. Etch your initials into one of the many trees filled with the indelible markings of visitors past, and admire the beauty of a rose hidden in a crown of thorns. In "Our Town," Emily questions the Stage Manager, "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?-- Every, every minute?" As expected, the Manager replies, "No," but that does not mean that one should not spend fifteen minutes, or perhaps a few more, realizing life.

My profession is to always find God in nature. 
-- Henry David Thoreau