MILEPOST = PD 17.3
ACCESSIBILITY = MOSTLY EASY, SOME SPOTS REQUIRE HIKE
AMENITIES = NONE
PHOTO ANGLES = VARIED
These pics show a VERY late 12G at Benton, just north of Peach Bottom.
25W BARELY DROWNS OUT
THE
CRICKETS AS IT CROSSES PETERS CREEK 0:30 - 1.0MB
THE JUNIATA E8s LEAD A FALL FOLIAGE TRIP THROUGH WILLAIMS TUNNEL 0:57 - 3.0MB
AN SD60M LEADS 515 ACROSS THE PA/MD STATE LINE AT HAINES
2:44 - 10.0MB
I am going to group a bunch of spots together on this page, so hopefully it doesn't get too confusing. The first location (coming east from Fishing Creek) is called Benton. I've also seen this place called Benton Hollow. To get here from Fishing Creek, follow Fishing Creek Road and make the first right onto Harmony Ridge Road. Next, take the second right onto Bald Eagle Road. The parking for this spot is at a gate that you will see on your right, as you cross a small creek (If you come to an intersection, you went too far). You will have to park here and hike back the rest of the way. This is public property, and it's acutally a wildflower and wiildlife sactuary. It's a good hike back, but it's fairly flat and right alongside the creek (which you cross over twice and THROUGH once(there's rocks to step on!)). There's not too much here, an ess-curve to the north, and a set of signals to the south, as well as the small bridge over the creek.
Next is the actual town of Peach Bottom. Follow Bald Eagle road south to the T and make a hard right (this is still Bald Eagle Road). Follow this for a bit, it'll turn to gravel then back to pavement. At the next T make another right onto Slate Hill Road. Follow this road until you see the small Marina. This is the outlet of Peters Creek, which the Port Road crosses on a small stone arch bridge. You can park here to shoot the bridge (best light in the morning) or continue until you can turn right. This is Peach Bottom Road. This road takes you up trackside and also through town. There are some cabins and a few very nice riverside houses here. You will also notice a small stub-end track, which often has MOW equipment on it. Towards the end of town you will see a grade crossing. This is now marked for "residents and their guests" only, so this is as far as you can go. The crossing is on a long sweeping curve, which would make for some nice shots.
The other spot south of here is called Haines (named after the family that first settled here), but unfortunately the area is now gated off by NS. The gate is at the end of Cook's Landing Road. This is also the location where the Port Road crosses the Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland, which is marked by a white sign. This spot is between Williams and Frazier tunnels, 2 of the 3 tunnels on the Port Road. The third tunnel is called Wildcat, and is the only straight tunnel. The tunnels are all farily short (256, 307, and 234 ft.) and are basically holes blasted in the rock, no linings or anything. Unfortunately, all 3 are not accessible from public property. You could take a boat to them, though!!
