After our double zero in Harper’s Ferry, we were back out on the trail by 7:30 this morning. It definitely rained at some point last night, because everything was wet… we had to be careful on the rocks and steps. We took one last stroll through the historic part of Harper’s Ferry, where the trail goes through, then crossed over the Potomac River, leaving behind West Virginia, and entering Maryland. This is the last of the southern states that we’ll hike through, and we should finish it in less than two days.
The trail in Maryland begins by following the C&O tow path, which was once part of the C&O (Chesapeake-Ohio) canal. While it was a nice, flat, graded path, suitable for bike riding, it was actually a little boring. The path is surrounded by trees, so you barely get glimpses of the Potomac to your right, and you hear the traffic of the road up to your left. It’s like this for almost 3 miles, but luckily they go by quick since it’s a very easy walk. From there, we quickly ascended onto the ridge that leads to South Mountain.
The first climb was a bit steep, but not too long, and once we hit the ridge we were off. We didn’t stop for lunch until we had gone almost 15 miles. The trail continues to be relatively easy, so I think we’re really going to cover some big miles over the next few days, assuming the trail stays the way it has been.
We hit some trail magic today too. One was a nice gesture, but kind of poorly executed… someone left a pile of candy bars and juice boxes on a rock in the woods. Again, I know the intent was good, but that type of trail magic is just begging to be eaten by a bear or squirrels or something. The second trail magic was at Washington Monument state park (yes, there’s a Washington Monument in Maryland…the first one actually). It was the same guy from Long Island that was putting on trail magic a week ago in Shenandoah whose son is thru-hiking. We got some soda, some bagels (fresh from NYC), and some hot dogs. We didn’t need to cook dinner when we got to camp. It was great.
The whole day was also pretty interesting from an historic perspective. Along the whole ridge we walked today, the battle of South Mountain was fought during the civil war. I have been listening to a podcast about the civil war over the last month, so it was cool to actually be walking through a battlefield. According to the ranger at the Washington Monument museum, no one really knows about that battle, because soon after, one of the bloodiest battles ever in US history was fought at nearby Antietam Creek. This whole section of northern Virginia through southern Pennsylvania is just full of historic sights, which is keeping things interesting, even when the trail itself can get a little boring.
We’re camped out at a tent site at Annapolis Rocks tonight. We ended up doing a big day of 25 miles. Tomorrow we should cross the Mason-Dixon line, and we’ll officially be out of the south.
Where will you be in a week? We are driving to Virginia on Saturday! Would be great to see you both!
We should be right about at Palmerton, pa on Tuesday the 2nd. We have to drive up to Albany on Wednesday the 3rd for an appointment, then we’ll be back down on the 4th
Actually, by Saturday we’ll be near port Clinton, pa
you should go to Cabela’s in Hamburg PA.