This article was written on assignment for Blue Ridge Outdoors in 2001.
Security tightened after September 11
THURMONT, MD—The National Park Service has closed large parts of Catoctin Mountain Park (CMP) in Thurmont, Md. in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks. Catoctin houses Camp David, the presidential retreat and meeting place that has hosted some of the world’s most important leaders, talks, and treaties.
Vice President Dick Cheney moved to Camp David September 11 to preserve executive continuity in case of an assassination attempt on President Bush, who joined him there later that week. Prior to U.S. retaliatory attacks on October 7, Cheney was reported to have moved from the White House to a “secure location.” Camp David is a likely possibility.
While the area directly surrounding Camp David is never open to the public, this area is expanded during a “closure.” When global leaders come to Camp David, lock-downs are standard operating procedure. Portions of Catoctin were closed for Gorbachev’s visit in the early 1990s, the recent Middle East Peace Talks, and last February’s visit by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Recent closures have coincided with times Bush and Cheney were meeting with advisors there. Some of the Bush team’s most critical anti-terrorism plans have been formulated at Camp David.
CMP Superintendent Mel Pool says, “Closures will be continuing indefinitely.” When pressed as to whether they will be limited to weekends, he adds circumspectly, “Those decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.” Although officials will not confirm it, one assumes closures will occur only when Bush is using Camp David, which thus far has been limited mostly to weekends. During the week, Bush and Co. has been off-site, and Catoctin has operated normally.
Heightened security has left some hikers, riders, and campers out of luck. “People have been remarkably tolerant of the closures and understand the need,” says Poole, pointing out that “two-thirds of the park is still open.” Campers have felt the impact most, and some have even cancelled reservations in the unaffected areas because of the restrictions.
CMP is one of the most unique locations in the National Park System. It was originally purchased in 1936 to demonstrate that clear-cut, plow-scarred land could be returned to productive use. President Roosevelt, wishing for a mountain retreat, settled on a campsite in the park, dubbing it “Shangri-La.” Eisenhower changed its name to “Camp David” after his grandson (and saved us from headlines like “Cheney meets Bush in Shangri-La.”).
Today it’s a multi-use outdoor recreational area, complete with a presidential complex protected by the military. After WWII, land south of I-77 was spun off to form Cunningham Falls State Park—which has remained open. Poole recommends it as an alternative to Catoctin during closures.
If you’re planning to visit Catoctin, call first to see if closures are in effect. Poole advises, “Reservations are strongly recommended for camping.” If you stray into a closed section, you might see something you wish you hadn’t: a view of the business end of the barrel of the latest Marine-issued machine gun. Oh, and you might want to leave your X-Files “Trust No One” t-shirt at home.
Tags: Camp David, Catoctin, closures, National Park Service, September 11, writing assignments
