Category: AT Harpers Ferry to Pen Mar 2025

Thursday, Sep 18, 2025. Up at 8:20. Clear cool morning.

We are taking our time to let the sun dry a few things out from yesterday’s rains. Only 10 miles to go today and our ride won’t pick us up till around 4:45pm.

Got dried out a tiny bit. We left a gallon of water at the shelter. On trail at 10:15 (mile 1057.8).

Uneventful morning. Stopped at a running stream for second breakfast at 11:30 and 3 miles in. 

Climbed up to Raven Rock for a break and a nice view. Hazy day, but that’s Hagerstown MD way across the valley. 

Stopped at High Rock for lunch at 2:00. Just 3 miles to go. Quiet up here on a Thursday afternoon. The fence is new this year. It might keep a few kids from falling off, but it’s still easy to go around it and climb on the rocks.

Reached Pen Mar (mile 1967.4) at 3:50 and 9.9 miles. Great place to end a hike. 

We did not expect Dana to pick us up until 5:00, but she got here at the same time that we did. Sweet!

We drove to our favorite diner in Frederick for an early dinner courtesy of Ed.

Good end to short hike. Even with the bad weather yesterday.

Technical Notes:

• Pop tarts 360
• Trail mix 210
• Fig bar 200
• Fatty beef stick 300
• Water liters: 3
• Miles: 9.83
• Time: 5:33
• Elevation gain: 1946 up
• Elevation descent: 2011 down
• Calories consumed: TBD
• Calories burned: 1781 

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2025. Up at 7:30. Rainy day and cool. 

Slept GREAT. Used the bath house to get dressed and cleaned up this morning. Had breakfast in tent then waited in tent until a break in the rain at 8:40 to strike camp and head out. Rain today until about 6:00pm. And it rained harder at 8:45. Still waiting for that break in the rain at 9:15. So much for the weather forecast!

Packed up in the rain. Goal is to keep the inner tent dry. Everything else is wet and dirty. Wearing my rain kilt, umbrella, and neoprene gloves this morning. Gonna keep up heavy rain until at least noon. Oh well. On trail at 9:40 (mile 1043.9)

Only 13.5 miles today with our first stop in 2 miles at Washington Monument park. There is a pavilion there where we can get out of the rain for a bit if needed. And potable water. Next stop after that is the US 40 underpass about 3.2 miles later. Very noisy but should be dry.

Stopped at Washington Monument park for second breakfast. Been raining good since we got on trail. The temps are just at the lower end of where I am comfortable NOT wearing a rain jacket. That means I am wearing a light rain jacket but the sweating in the jacket is annoying. Should lighten up on the rain in about 3 hours.

We took a break at Washington Monument park for half an hour. Ditched the rain coat. Too hot. A NOBO hiker and a SOBO thru-hiker stopped to get dried off as well. This weather is miserable.

We hiked on from the monument and crossed I-70 on the foot bridge overpass.

Arrived at Ensign Cowell shelter (1057.8) about 4:40. Got our tents setup, they are wet from the rain, and started to get our wet gear unpacked. Dana arrived just after 5:00 to deliver water and my spoon . Glad she brought water as the spring is a shallow muddy puddle.

Nice tenting spot. We hung things to dry, but no wind and it’s a bit humid. We are in no hurry tomorrow so we can let things dry while we chill around camp until 10:00 only 10 miles to go and Dana will not be able to pick us up until close to 5:00pm. 

Technical Notes:

• Pop tart 360
• Fig bar 200
• Trail mix 210
• Fatty beef stick 300
• Payday 240
• Peak Refuel chicken rice w. Veggies 750
• Crackers 190
• Fritos 320
• Water liters: 1.5
• Miles: 14.18
• Time: 7:00
• Elevation gain: 2543
• Elevation descent: 2208
• Calories consumed: 2570
• Calories burned: 2463

Tuesday, Sep 16, 2025. Cloudy, cool, chance of showers.

Dana drove Ed and I to Harper’s Ferry (mile 1025.7) at 8:15. Said goodbye and got on trail at 9:10.

The first part of the hike includes a very boring 2.5 miles on the C&O Canal Tow Path. Basically a flat road walk. We crossed the active railroad tracks and started the ascent up Weaverton Cliffs at 10:50 and 4.4 miles in. Took a short break on the cliffs before moving g on.

Arrived at  Gathland State park at 2:00 and 11 miles. Refilled water from the potable water source in the park and had lunch. The restrooms at the park have been closed for over 2 years, but there is a well maintained port-a-potty.

While we were taking our break, I read that Robert Redford died today. Amazing actor. 

Back on trail at 2:30. About 7 more miles. I day hike this area a lot and it’s a very boring section of trail with nothing much to see from Weaverton Cliffs until Washington Monument park tomorrow.

Made it to White Rocks overlook at 4:05 and 14.75 miles. No rain yet but it looks and feels like rain. According to Dana it rained HARD back home this afternoon. That’s only about 20 miles away as the crow flies.

Got to Dahlgren Campground (mile 1043.9) at 5:20. Nice bathrooms with showers, toilets, trash cans. Potable water too. Set up and making dinner at 6:20.

And I forgot my cozy and my spoon! First time I’ve ever done anything like that. I’ll have Dana bring the spoon tomorrow when she drops off water. Stupid. I’ll improvise something to eat my dehydrated meal. Thankfully I was not eating ramen tonight!

Necessity is the mother of invention. I didn’t really use that comb anyway.

Dana found the spoon and cozy. I have one box of stuff from my last hiking trip that goes back in my pack. And another box of spare gear to put away. The cozy and spoon ended up in the wrong box. Talked to Dana for almost half an hour this evening.

Rain started at 7:15. Good timing! In my tent and reading for a few hours at 7:30.

Good hard boring day. Feet hurt a bit after 18 miles, but good day overall.

Technical Notes:

• Coffee 35
• Blueberry Muffin 450
• Mixed Berries 80
• Fig bar 200
• Zero sugar sausage 120
• Fatty beef stick 300
• Trail mix 210
• Peak Refuel sweet pork & rice 800
• Water liters: 1.5
• Miles: 18
• Time: 8:12
• Elevation gain: 3041
• Elevation descent: 2306
• Calories consumed: 2300
• Calories burned: 2648