Leader: Stephanie Mason Got the day off? Join us for this mid-February holiday hike. We’ll head downriver along the C&O Canal Towpath from Swain’s Lock to Great Falls to enjoy views from the islands made accessible by boardwalks. We’ll retrace our steps along the Towpath back to our cars at Swain’s for a total hike of 4.6 miles. As we pass by floodplain forests and wetlands, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for winter birds and other active wildlife while practicing our winter botany skill. Our leader is even willing to promise an early sign or two of spring's tiptoeing forward.