Tag: Northern Virginia and Maryland

Day 92 – Ensign Cowall shelter to Tumbling Run
Today’s Miles: 20

Trip Miles: 1083.9

“They say it’s your birthday

Well, it’s my birthday too, yeah

They say it’s your birthday

We’re gonna have a good time

I’m glad it’s your birthday

Happy birthday to you” – The Beatles

Up at 6:00. Learned how to load up my new pack. In trail at 7:30.

Got 12 miles to go to meet Dana at Route 16 a bit over the PA border. Overall we have 18.8 miles today.

Stopped to fill up water at 9:15 at a creek next to Raven Rock Road. Had a second breakfast then moved on at 9:45.

Creek next to Raven Rock Road

We got to High Rock at 11:25. Great views. Best on AT in NOVA, MD, and southern PA in my opinion.

High Rock

YouTube video from High Rock

Back on trail at 12:05.

Got to Penmar Park at 1:30. Andy Johnson stalked me via Garmin and brought us both Gatorade and a snack!!

Trail Magic at Penmar Park

AT mile marker in Penmar Park

Back on trail at 2:25. We meet Dana at 3:30. We will be late! Crossed into Pennsylvania. One more state down!

Crossing the Mason-Dixon line

We met Dana at 4:00 near Waynesboro, PA. She drove us to Sheetz for dinner then to Walmart for resupply. We then drove to Old Forge Park to repack and celebrate Overkill’s birthday with an ice cream cake.

Overkill’s birthday party in Old Forge Park

We got to Tumbling Run shelter about 6:30. Ran into the extended family: Glass, Newt, 23, Polar, Puzzle, and others. Overkill wanted a fire for her birthday, so she made one.

Polar, Overkill, 23, and Puzzler at Tumbling Run shelter

Not sure about the new pack yet. Had some back pain today, but still adjusting the fit of the new pack.

We planned out the week. Will zero in Duncannon Saturday. Mom, Shelley, and Jeff plan to drive up and visit.

Trying to sleep at 9:30. We want to be out at 7:00 tomorrow morning. We have just under 20 miles with 3 hard climbs.

Day 92 Map – Ensign Cowall shelter to Tumbling Run

Technical Notes:
- Mini chocolate donuts: 560
- Cookie: 210
- Cookie: 210
- Fig bars: 210
- Skittles: 75
- Zero sugar sausage: 120
- Skittles: 75
- Zero sugar sausage: 120
- Skittles: 75
- Waffle: 350
- Skittles: 100
- Dr Pepper: 260
- Chicken sandwich: 600
- Fries: 200
- Birthday cake: 500
- Cookies: 300
- Fritos: 400
- Water liters: 5
- Miles: 18.1
- Time: 10
- Elevation gain: 3149
- Calories consumed: 5000
- Calories burned: 7500
Day 91 – Crampton Gap shelter to Ensign Cowall shelter
Today’s Miles: 20

Trip Miles: 1065.1

“Snake farm, it just sounds nasty

Snake farm, pretty much is

Snake farm, it’s a reptile house

Snake farm, mmm” – Ray Wylie Hubbard

Today would have been Andrea’s 57th birthday 🙁 I miss her.

Up at 6:00. On trail at 7:10. We have 20 miles to go today.

Took a break just short of Lambs Knoll at 8:40. Nice view looking towards Brunswick, MD.

View near Lambs Knoll

Unfortunately, my back is hurting already today.

Reached Dahlgren campground at 10:00. Had a second breakfast and used the facilities. Topped off water before departing at 10:30.

Dahlgren campground

Stopped at Washington Monument State Park at 11:45. Snacked and filled up water. Headed out at 12:10.

Washington Monument State Park

Crossed over I-70 about 2:45.

Crossing over I-70 on footbridge

Stopped at Annapolis Rocks for water at 3:30. Sent Dana our dinner order from Subway.

About 5 miles left, and we ran into a day hiker on the trail who warned us there was a rattlesnake nearby. The idiot was trying to find it to take a video. Suddenly, I hear what sounds like a SUPER loud cicada very close. Catch some movement out of the corner of my eye, and there it is. A rattler a foot off the trail, about 5 feet long, thick as my arm, and the motion I see is it coiling up as if to strike. Me and Overkill and I carefully slid by as far away as possible and left the idiot that is pissing off this venomous viper to his own ends. That was one angry snake!

I’m having a very bad back day.

We met Dana at 7:30 at the parking lot .2 miles up the road from Ensign Cowell shelter. I decided to try switching to one of my other packs. It can’t make my back any worse, can it? I’m switching to my Six Moons Design Swift X pack. This is a very different style pack . It uses a vest harness instead of a traditional set of pack straps. This transfers some weight to the chest/core. I also have this pack rigged with a VERY sturdy hip belt suitable for an expedition-style pack. The goal is to have the super sturdy belt transfer even more load to my hips. That with the chest vest MAY give my back some relief. Or I may totally screw myself up. Since Dana is also meeting us tomorrow afternoon , I can test drive this pack on the trail for about 7 hours before we meet Dana again.

Dana also brought us Subway and sodas and water! Love that girl!

We got settled into the shelter late…8:45. There were already 2 other guys in the shelter, but there is plenty of room. In bed about 10:00.

We have 12 miles to meet Dana and drive into Waynesboro, PA to resupply and get lunch. The plan is to meet at 2:30. Then we have 6 miles to get to Tumbling Run shelter for the night. Our first 6 miles are a bit of a workout but fairly chill after that. I need to finish setting up my new pack in the morning as well as figuring out how to best load it up in a way that helps my back.

I REALLY hope this new pack helps my back issues. My pack isn’t the sole cause of my issues, but I’m sure it contributes a lot.

Day 91 Map – Crampton Gap shelter to Ensign Cowall shelter

Technical Notes:
- Mini chocolate donuts 560
- Skittles 60
- Trail mix 170
- Skittles 120
- Beef stick 120
- Payday 240
- Trail Mix 200
- Beef stick 240
- Skittles 40
- Beef stick 120
- Trail Mix 300
- Skittles 100
- Dr. Pepper 300
- Subway sub 1500
- Water liters 6
- Miles 20.5
- Time 12
- Elevation gain 3500
- Calories consumed 4500
- Calories burned 7500
Day 90 – Keys Gap to Crampton Gap shelter
Today’s Miles: 17

Trip Miles: 1045.1

“Homeward bound

I wish I was

Homeward bound

Home where my thoughts are escapin’

Home where my music is playin’

Home where my love lies waitin’

Silently for me” – Simon snd Garfunkel

Up at 6:30. Had a decent breakfast at the hotel. Moving a little slow this morning. Got packed and loaded into the car by 7:45. Dana drove us back to Keys Gap for our 5-mile trek down into Harper’s Ferry. Will see her again on Sunday briefly before moving north into Pennsylvania.

On trail at 8:10… mid-70s, overcast, no breeze. Going up to mid-80s with a chance of rain all day.

Stopped for a quick break at 9:10 and 2.5 miles in.

Crossed the Shenandoah into Harper’s Ferry about 11:00 on Route 340

Chuck crossing over the Shenandoah river bridge

Chuck crossing over the Shenandoah river bridge

We got to the ATC visitor center in Harper’s Ferry at 11:00. Got our official pictures take. And added to the yearbook. I am a thru-hiker number 1155 in the 2024 yearbook. Got a soda and a snack, topped off my water, and chatted with the staff for a while. Back on trail at 12:00.

Chuck at ATC HQ in Harpers Ferry

Crossed the Potomac on the railroad bridge. I was playing tour guide.

Crossing the Patomac River footbridge into Maryland

Train tunnel…welcome to Maryland

Took the C&O canal tow path out of Harper’s Ferry and crossed Route 340 again.

Hiking the C&O Canal tow path

Crossing under US 340

Stopped at 1:00 for lunch where the AT heads off the tow path. Passed under Route 340 for a third time.

Crossing under US 340 again

Got to Weaverton Cliffs at 2:15. Nice view from the cliffs up to Harper’s Ferry where we just came from.

View from Weaverton Cliffs

Chuck at Weaverton Cliffs

It has been drizzling for the past hour or so. Humidity has gotten really bad even though the temps are only in the mid-80s. Ick.

Stopped at Ed Garvey shelter at 3:40 for a break and to plan the rest of today and tomorrow. We are going to Crampton Gap tonight. 4.1 more miles.

Made it to Gathland State Park at 5:30. Used the facilities and filled up on good potable water. I know this area well as I park my truck here and hike about twice a month. The shelter and tent sites are just .4 miles downhill from here. I have 3 bars of cell here but doubt I’ll have any at the shelter if memory serves me.

Overkill getting water at Gathland State Park

Loaded up with 4 liters of water as there is none at the shelter and hiked the .3 miles to Crampton Gap Shelter at 6:15. We are the only ones at the shelter so far. Camp all set up and starting dinner at 7:00. 2 bars cell service. We may get some rain before midnight and then lots of wind until 7:00 a.m.

Crampton Gap Shelter

Good weather most of the day and easy trails. My back issues were the real limiting factor on us only doing 17.3 instead of 22 miles. We will shoot for 20 tomorrow and 18 the next day.

It felt odd hiking back home today and thru-hiking on all the trails that I normally day hike on. And crossing so many roads that I drive on all the time. If only my back would stop hurting we could really be moving and having a good time.

Settled into bed about 9:00. Alarm set for 5:30.

Technical Notes:
- OJ 130
- Coffee w creamer x2 50
- Breakfast Sausage 600
- Eggs 176
- Skittles 55
- Root beer 160
- Candy 90
- Crackers 230
- Beef stick 120
- Beef stick 120
- Skittles 55
- Cookies 150
- Misc 200
- Dehydrated chicken 170
- Mountain House rice n chicken 540
- Water liters 3
- Miles 17.3
- Time 9
- Elevation gain
- Calories consumed 2900
- Calories burned 6750
Day 89 – Bear’s Den hostel to Keys Gap
Today’s Miles: 14.4

Trip Miles: 1028.1

“Up like a rocket ship

Down like a roller coaster

Back like a loop-the-loop

And around like a merry-go-round” – Freddy Cannon

Up at 5:15. Out at 7:00. We were both slow this morning. Great weather, low humidity. We have 20 miles to go today.

Morning view at Bear’s Den overlook

Getting across Route 7 at 7:30 a.m. during rush hour was a challenge! I did not time it, but it was close to 10 minutes before we finally made a break for it. Did not help that the crossing was in part of an S curve. Overkill got an 18-wheeler to blow their air horn again. All good since nobody died.

Crossing Route 7 at rush hour

Goodbye Virginia. The last 5 weeks have not exactly been fun, but it has been an adventure.

Goodbye to Virginia…finally

Stopped at Raven Rock for a break.

Chuck at Raven Rock

Not many water options today. Stopped at a spring about 6 miles in for the day and topped off water.

Finally exited the northern end of the rollercoaster.

Finally exited the northern end of the rollercoaster

Stopped for a snack and to rest my back at 11:30.

Very nice visit with caretaker at Blackburn Trail Center. Thanks for the Dr. Peppers and ice cream.

Blackburn Trail Center welcome sign

Called it early at 15 miles at 4:10. Road walked to a gas station convenience store .3 miles down Route 9. Got some food and texted Dana to pick us up there instead of Harpy’s Ferry. We were going to go to this store either way for water and snacks, but Overkill’s feet hurt and we would not get to our intended pickup until near 8:00. We will just change our plans for tomorrow to pick up where we left off today. This works out better in some ways. The ATC office in Harper’s does not open until 9:00 on weekdays so we would just have had to kill time tomorrow anyway. We both want to stop at ATC office to check in and get our photos taken for the yearbook. Plus we will get to our hotel by 6:00 tonight which is much better as we also need to go shopping for supplies for our next 3 days hiking.

Gas station convenience store .3 miles down Route 9 from Keys Gap

We went to Walmart to resupply then to the hotel. Dana, Overkill, and I had a nice dinner. Back to room to get food packed for the next 3 days. We want to head out at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow.

I’m exhausted and asleep by 9:30.

Day 89 Map – Bear’s Den hostel to Keys Gap

Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Sausage sticks 120
- Skittles 100
- Trail mix 300
- Dr. Pepper 300
- Ice cream sandwich 200
- Hot dog 341
- Chips 400
- Body armor 15
- Body armor 15
- Hershey bar 300
- Misc 4500
- Water liters 5
- Miles 15
- Time 9
- Elevation gain 3100
- Calories consumed 6200
- Calories burned 6000
Day 88 – Whiskey Hollow shelter to Bear’s Den hostel
Today’s Miles: 18.2

Trip Miles: 1013.7

“But I would walk five hundred miles

And I would walk five hundred more

Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles

To fall down at your door” – The Proclaimers

Up at 5:10. On trail at 6:30. I was slow getting moving.

Very humid even before the sun came up today. Gonna be another hot day. Really nothing much to take pictures of on trail in NOVA.

Stopped at 7:30 for a break.

Crossed US 50 at Ashby Gap at 8:40. Heavy traffic. Overkill got an 18-wheeler to blow their air horn for us. 5.2 miles down, 13 more to go.

Stopped to fill up water and eat at 9:30 and 6.4 miles in for today. Back on trail at 10:00.

At 11:20 we entered the southern end of the Virginia rollercoaster. It’s named that because abuse it is a series of ups and downs with no break. See map below.

Entering the Virginia Rollercoaster

We ran into self-service trail magic less than a mile before the 1000-mile mark. Sodas on ice. Cool! Hitting the 1000-mile mark is a big deal.

Self-service trail magic

1000 mile marker!

Stopped for water at 5:00. We have 1.7 hard miles to go.

Got to Bear’s Den hostel at 6:20. Got checked-in, unpacked, showered, and ready for the Poolesville Planning Commission meeting just in time for meeting start at 7:00. Meeting only lasted until 8:00. I ate dinner afterwards.

Bear’s Den hostel

We both bought the hiker package at the hostel: bunk, shower, laundry, frozen pizza, pint of ice cream, and a soda for $40.

Read till 11:00 then tried to sleep. Hot in the bunk room and up at 5:00 a.m. 🙁

Day 88 Map – Whiskey Hollow shelter to Bear’s Den hostel

Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Beef Bites 300
- Trail mix 170
- Skittles 130
- Beef Bites 250
- Skittles 190
- Trail Mix 210
- Beef Bites 150
- Skittles 200
- Dr Pepper x2 300
- Mug root beer x2 320
- Frozen pizza 1200
- Water liters 5
- Miles 18.6
- Time 12
- Elevation gain 4586
- Calories consumed 4000
- Calories burned 7700
Day 87 – Route 522 to Whiskey Hollow shelter
Today’s Miles: 14.2

Trip Miles: 995.5

“Keep a-movin’, Dan, don’t you listen to him, Dan.

He’s a devil, not a man.

And he spreads the burnin’ sand with water.

Dan, can you see that big, green tree?

Where the water’s runnin’ free?

And it’s waitin’ there for you and me?

Water, cool, clear water” – Marty Robins

Up at 6:15. Packed up and left the hotel at 7:30. Dana drove us to the trail and took our pictures. We got on the trail at 7:55.

Very hot and humid. Got a heat advisory from home that the heat index will be near 110 today. It feels like we could swim in the air already this morning.

Chuck and Overkill leaving Front Royal

Chuck and Overkill leaving Front Royal

Stopped to get water and have a second breakfast at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter 5.2 miles into the day at 10:20. We have 10 miles to go to our camp for today.

Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

Back on the trail at 11:05. It’s 92 in the shade at the shelter. Really humid!

92 in the shade and 90% humidity

Stopped at a campsite at 12:20 for a break. Slight breeze on this side of the mountain. Still very hot. Back on the trail at 12:45.

Passed through a large meadow full of blackberries.

meadow full of blackberries

Crossed over railroad tracks and then under I66.

Crossing under I-66

Took a break at 1:30. It’s stupid hot out here. 1.6 miles to the next shelter and water. Moving again at 1:45.

Got to Manassas Gap shelter at 2:40. Cinderella and one other female hiker are here. It’s ridiculously hot. The local weather service heat index is 107. At least there is shade and water. And a massive infestation of Spotted Lantern flies.

massive infestation of Spotted Lantern flies

We hung out until 4:45 to let it cool off and generally rest up from the heat. We have 4.7 miles to go to reach our shelter for the night. The other hikers are going to wait a few more hours and night hike to avoid the heat.

My back started hurting after we left the shelter. Very frustrating. At least it was good 2/3 of the day.

We arrived at Whiskey Hollow shelter at 6:50. No AT&T cell service. Very nice shelter and we have it to ourselves. Got water from a stream and set up camp. Ate dinner about 8:15.

Whiskey Hollow shelter

Plan is to get up early and hike as much as possible before it gets too hot. We have 18.5 miles to Bear’s Den and I want to be there by 6:00. I have a Planning Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. Want to unpack and shower before meeting.

Day 87 Map – Route 522 to Whiskey Hollow shelter

Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Skittles 100
- Crackers 190
- Turkey sticks 240
- Trail mix 200
- Skittles 100
- Ramen 740
- Dehydrated chicken 170
- Fritos 320
- Water liters 4
- Miles 15.4
- Time 9
- Elevation gain 3252
- Calories consumed 3000
- Calories burned 6750
Day 86 – Zero in Front Royal, VA
Today’s Miles: 0

Trip Miles: 981.3

“I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand

Life is good today” – Zac Brown

Up at 7:30. I went to the lobby and had coffee while Dana slept. Planned out the hike for the next week so that we can confirm supplies and timing for our next two meetups.

Went to IHOP for my first real breakfast in over 2 months. Then got a much-needed haircut. Went to the laundromat and got all my clothes cleaned. Dana ran back to the hotel and gave Overkill a ride to the laundromat so she could do her laundry as well.

Vicki arrived about 12:30 with our cousin Jeff. He came to visit. For the day. Very nice surprise. We had lunch together then hung out at the hotel for a bit while I worked on packing food and getting my pack ready. They headed out about 3:00.

Chuck and Vicki in Front Royal

Jeff and Vicki viiting in Front Royal

Overkill and I permethrinated our clothes in the motel parking lot. Very hiker trashy. We also made hotel reservations for Harper’s Ferry 3 nights from now.

I worked on getting 8 days of blogs uploaded. I will have them done before I go to bed.

Spent some time reviewing documents and prepping for the Poolesville Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday night. We will be at Bear’s Den hostel and I should have a good internet connection to attend the meeting virtually.

Went out to a late dinner. Then got all packed up for tomorrow.

We have 15.5 miles to go and want to leave the motel at 7:30. The only hard part tomorrow is a 2.5-mile climb to start the hike. It’s going to be hot so we want to knock that out early.

I am sending a few things home with Dana:
- schnozzle – does not fit my new sleep pad
- Bad pump sack that came with the new sleep pad
- rain jacket – have not used it in over a month
- ball cap – goes with the rain jacket to fill out the hood
- Apple watch and charger – uses too much power
- convertible shorts – too heavy. Will get them back in New England
I added a 4 oz camp towel. We will have showers available at several camp sites in the future, and there are some swimming possibilities as well.

Overall, it was a nice and much-needed day off. Wonderful to spend time with Dana. This may be the last full day we get together until Katahdin.

Technical Notes:
- Not tracking on town day.
- Water liters: 0
- Miles: 0
- Time: 0
- Elevation gain: 0
- Calories consumed: n/a
- Calories burned: n/a