--- PAW PAW TO LITTLE ORLEANS (Fifteen Mile Creek) ---

This is one of the most remote and wildest sections of the river, with the best scenery. The C&O Canal does not keep the river company. The Canal engineers, to avoid the cliffs and bends in the river, took the canal through the mountain. The first 5 miles takes you through the Paw Paw Bends. The run is safe and fun with a strong current. The total trip is 22 miles, 8 hours. Because of the remoteness of the area and because the Canal for the first part of the run is not there as an escape route, check the river conditions at 703-260-0305.

The trip can be shortened to 12 miles, 5 hours with a take-out at Bonds Landing in the Green Ridge State Forest. The roads are unimproved, and there are not too many folks to ask direction of, so it is best to "scout-out" Bonds Landing first.

To reach Bonds Landing, take I-68 to Orleans Rd. exit, exit 68, south for 6 miles, right on Oldtown/Orleans Rd., for 2 1/2 miles, left on Carroll Rd. for 3 miles. STOP at the overlook on the left. This is one of the most magnificent views in Maryland. You are looking down at the loop of the river you will be on. At each end of the loop is a railroad trestle under which you will be crossing. Carroll Rd. becomes Mertens Avenue for 1/10 of a mile, then left on Kasecamp Rd. for 1 1/2 miles, right onto Bonds Landing for 2/10 of a mile.

From Bonds Landing to Paw Paw, take Kasecamp Rd. to Mertens Ave. (don't let the name fool you, it is a bumpy dirt road) and make a left. (Note: Kasecamp is a circular road. If you hit Carroll Rd. the road you came in on, you made the wrong turn). Follow Mertens Ave. to the intersection with Oldtown/Orleans Rd., make a left, follow to Malcolm Rd. and make a left to Md. Rt. 51, make a left.