JourneyonaBike - C&O - Locks 35/36 - Inlet Lock 3 - Dam 3 Ruins [with identifying labels] 11-26-2025

Did this little ride...
Antietam Creek Aqueduct to past Harpers Ferry.
Mp 70-60 (and back)
Got the 2+ hour ride finished just as the cold front moved in. 67°F to 54° just like that.

Includes passing Harpers Ferry area - Temporary Stairs
   • JourneyonaBike - C&O - Temporary Stairs Mp...  

Includes the hidden section many dont know about [lock 35] at the mp 63.x bend
   • JourneyonaBike - C&O - Off the Path - Lock...  

more of the Lock 35/36, Inlet Lock 3, Dam 3 Ruins
   • JourneyonaBike - C&O - Locks 35/36 - Inlet...  

[8 minutes - music]
   • JourneyonaBike - [Short Version] C&O  Towp...  

[8 minutes - no music]
   • JourneyonaBike - C&O - No Music - Short Ve...  

2 longer versions:
   • JourneyonaBike - C&O Towpath (One-Way) Mp ...   [one-way 31 min]

   • JourneyonaBike - C&O Towpath (mp 70-60 & b...   [roundtrip 43 min]

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Intro [2 minutes]
   • JourneyonaBike - [Intro] C&O Towpath Mp 70...  
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"Between Lock 34 and Lock 35, mules would have followed a specific path that used a footbridge to cross an inlet lock. The path was designed to navigate around the unique geography of the area, where Lock 35 and an adjacent inlet lock (leading to Dam 3 on the Potomac River) merged in a V-shape. 

Here is the specific route for the mules:

Approach Lock 35: Mules walked along the regular dirt towpath beside the canal from Lock 34 (mile 61.5) toward Lock 35 (mile 62.3).

Diverted Path: Just before reaching Lock 35, the original towpath veered away from the main canal prism toward the Potomac River.

The Footbridge: At the point where the canal and the inlet lock converged in a "V" shape, the original towpath continued by crossing over the inlet lock via a specialized footbridge. This bridge allowed the mules to switch sides or continue their path without a break in the towpath due to the lock infrastructure.

Rejoining the Canal: After crossing the bridge, the mules would have rejoined the main towpath which continued alongside the canal. 

This setup was necessary due to the engineering required at this section, which involved managing water flow from Dam 3 into the canal system. The bridge is no longer present today, and visitors must use a service road detour to navigate this section of the C&O Canal towpath.