A hike to celebrate the preservation and creation of the C&O Canal National Park

An item in today's Montgomery Gazette mentioned a big hiking event: A two-week tromp along the entire length of the C&O Canal, from Cumberland, Md., to Georgetown in D.C.

The C&O Canal Association organizes the full 185-mile hike every five years to commemorate an identical hike made by Justice William O. Douglas in 1954. He walked with Washington Post reporters and editors to show them the beauty and historic significance of the canal, which was created between 1828 and 1850. Douglas' hike led to a movement to protect the canal instead of turning it into a parkway; the C&O National Historic Park was created in 1971.

According to the Canal Association's Web site, there is still room for people to join the thru-hike, which begins April 19. Alternatively, you can day-hike a section of the canal with the thru-hikers (see this page for contact info and a calendar of daily starts and stops).

I've walked and bicycled parts of the C&O, but not the whole thing. This would be a great way to celebrate Earth Day and the park. What do you think? Do you enjoy the C&O?