3.4 Miles
Turn right onto Stafford Road. This road is rough, so drive slowly. You will pass East Valley Road to your right while continuing on Stafford Road. At present, you are ascending the west side of Town Hill. As you climb this ridge, note that the red oak increases dramatically. In the lower elevations in moist sites, you will see white oak.

4.5 Miles
Welcome to “No Name” Overlook! You are now 1,570 feet above sea level. From this vista, you have a splendid view of the surrounding landscape. To your right, you can see the Potomac River as it snakes lazily in the distance. The large ridge in the distance is Sideling Hill. The scenic qualities of the state forest are often the characteristic most greatly appreciated by forest visitors. Feel free to get out of your vehicle and take a closer look at this area. When you are finished, proceed along Stafford Road.

4.7 Miles
The following road will be one of the most difficult roads on your tour. Please drive slow and careful. Turn left onto Stafford Trail. Ahead, you will encounter an example of this region’s sandstone cliff formations. Looking at formations such as this, and at the rugged terrain of this area, one begins to appreciate the many forces of nature that went into creating this beautiful mountain landscape. From here, you will be descending down the east side of Town Hill.

5.7 Miles
Turn right onto Dug Hill Road. Just ahead (0.2 miles) you will make a left turn onto historic Oldtown Road. As a part of history, this road is considered to be one of the oldest roads in Allegany County, it was built in 1755 during the French and Indian War and connected Fort Frederick to Fort Cumberland. This also is the same road that connects Little Orleans, Maryland, with Oldtown, Maryland and George Washington referred to it as the “Waggon” Road. Ahead on your left, you will encounter a stand of shortleaf pine, which has been managed to maximize the production of wood fiber.

Just before the intersection of Oldtown Road and Carroll Road, you will see a campsite with a scattering of apple trees on the site. Between 1870 and 1920, the Mertens family from Cumberland, Maryland owned much of what is today Green Ridge State Forest. The Mertens cleared and burned thousands of acres of forest in order to plant apple trees. They had hoped to make this the largest orchard “in the world.” Unfortunately, their orchard enterprise went bankrupt in 1917.

6.8 Miles
Turn right onto Carroll Road. Approximately one quarter mile down and to your left, you can enjoy the view from “Point Lookout.” The name Point Lookout dates back to the Civil War era, when it was used by Union soldiers as a lookout and signal post. At 900 feet above sea level, Point Lookout was ideal for detecting any Confederate movements toward the Maryland border.

Looking eastward, you can see a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape and of the Potomac River 300 feet below. On the far side of the river is West Virginia. This loop in the Potomac was once known as “General Washington’s Horseshoe Bend.” The C&O Canal is on the Maryland side of the river. This pioneering transportation system (1828-1924) extends 184.5 miles from Cumberland in the west to Georgetown near Washington, D.C.

7.9 Mile
An 1841 map listed this site as “Carroll’s Steam Saw Mill.” It was built in 1836, and financed from the estate of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. Along with the saw mill, there was also a grist mill, a blacksmith shop, stables and quarters for workmen. Logs were processed here and then sent 1.25 miles down Devil’s Alley, where they were then transported by canal and railroad to Washington and Baltimore. A parking area has been provided if you wish to get out and inspect the chimney.

Over the next half mile, you might notice that the sugar maple is a dominant tree in this area. Sugar maples thrive in areas of moisture and shade. As you bear right at the next form, you pass such features as Roby Run and Pignut Ridge. Off to the left you will see Roby Cemetery. Many of the old headstones in this clearing serve as monuments to some of this area’s early settlers and their descendents. The gurgling stream, rock strewn slopes and native vegetation create a landscape that is quite inspiring. There are 30 cemeteries of various sizes scattered within the forest.

9.8 Miles
Take an extremely sharp turn left onto Kasecamp Road. Approximately one half mile ahead on the right, you will see the Stickpile Tunnel. This tunnel was built to accommodate the old Western Maryland Railroad, which was in operation from 1904 to 1976. The railroad was the most effective mode of transporting produce to the east for the farming communities in Western Maryland.

13.7 Miles
Turn left at the entrance to Bond’s Landing. Here you will cross a section of the C&O Canal. If you were traveling via the Canal, you would be 150 miles west of Georgetown and 34.5 miles east of Cumberland. Due to high construction costs, labor disputes, and the development of a more efficient railroad, the Canal became less desirable. Damage from the 1924 flood ended the C&O Canal era.

You are now at Bond’s Landing. A parking lot and day use area have been provided. You are encouraged to step out of your vehicle, stretch and enjoy the beauty of the Potomac River. The road to your left leads to the camping area. High water markers on the corner tree indicate the 1936 flood and the flood that occurred on November 5, 1985. Imagine the extensive damage to this area. Proceed back to the entrance and turn left onto Kasecamp Road.

14.2 Miles
This was the site of the Old Green Ridge Station of the Western Maryland Railroad. This site was once a major transportation terminal of people and goods. There was a post office, hotel, commissary and the main office for the Mertens’ orchard enterprise. The tunnel off to the right is the Stickpile Tunnel. This is the opposite end of the tunnel seen 9.8 miles into your tour.

At the next intersection, turn left onto Mertens Avenue. Notice the large stand of Virginia pine. White-tail deer can often be spotted throughout this area. The deer feed primarily on young trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants which thrive in young timber stands.

16.8 Miles
This is the intersection of Mertens Avenue and Oldtown Road. Continue straight through this intersection, and begin to climb Town Hill Mountain. Please be careful because there are a number of sharp bends ahead.

18 Miles
You are now at “Banner’s” Overlook on top of Town Hill, which is 1,650 feet above sea level. From this point, you can see the Potomac River and the West Virginia portion of Sideling Hill. Proceed along Mertens Avenue. From here, you will be descending Town Hill. The Green Ridge Hiking Trail will again cross the tour route in this area. At this crossing, you are in the geographical center of the forest.

20 Miles
At the power line crossing, you are at the top of Green Ridge Mountain. Turn left onto Green Ridge Road, and proceed 2.2 miles to the “Log Roll” Overlook.

22.2 Miles
This scenic area is known as the “Log Roll.” During the timbering era of the 1880’s and 1890’s, logs were dragged from the nearby hills to be rolled down these slopes into Town Creek below. The logs were then floated several miles to the sawmill. Three states can be seen from what many people feel is one of the most beautiful areas in Maryland. The mountains to your left are in West Virginia, the middle area is Maryland, and Pennsylvania is to your extreme right. On a clear day and to your left, approximately 50 miles distance, the twin towers of the electric generating plant in Mount Storm, West Virginia, can be seen.

If you wish to visit the “54” Cemetery continue on Green Ridge Road for approximately 1/10 mile. The cemetery’s name comes from the nearby Camp #54, which housed workers during the apple orchard era from 1910-1917.

You will now need to backtrack on Green Ridge Road, and proceed three miles past the power line crossing to the “Warrior Mountain” overlook.

25.2 Miles
“Warrior Mountain” was once a primary Indian trail that began in northern Pennsylvania and extended to the far south. This vista, 1,300 feet above sea level, offers a pleasant view of Railroad Hollow, Town Creek Valley and Warrior Mountain. The overlook was created through the efforts of the Youth Conservation Corps during the summer of 1981. Please continue along Green Ridge Road.

27.7 Miles
Turn left onto Wallizer Road. One mile ahead on your right, you will see White Sulphur Pond. Once known as Finksburg (Mertensville), a large sawmill operation was located here during the 1880’s. A large portion of the forest timber harvested during the later 19th century was cut at this mill. The Green Ridge logging railroad extended to this site. Beaver and Great Blue Herons are just a few of the many animals that frequent this area.

30.2 Miles
Turn right onto Black Sulphur Road. One mile ahead you will make a right turn onto Williams Road. When you reach State Highway Route 144, turn right. After approximately one mile, you will be at the same exit at which you began your tour.