Tag: West Virginia

  • Day 2 – Blackburn Trail Center to Sam Moore Shelter

    Day 2 – Blackburn Trail Center to Sam Moore Shelter

    Monday, April 28, 2025. Up at 7:10. Sunny and 45 degrees going up to the mid-70s.

    On trail at 8:20. We have 11.4 miles to go with a few side trips. The hike UP to the trail from Blackburn is .3 miles very much uphill. Gets the blood flowing.

    We entered the northern part of the Virginia Roller Coaster at 10:10. I love this area for day hikes, but hate it with a 34lb load.

    Entering the Virginia Rollercoaster

    We crossed from West Virginia into Virginia fairly early in the day. We stopped at Raven Rocks, Virginia, at 10:55 for a break. Awesome views and perfect weather.

    Ed at Raven Rocks, VA

    Crossing Rt 7 is always a challenge. Four lanes of traffic to play Frogger with. Not too much traffic crossing Rt 7 today as we were nowhere near rush hour. Unlike when Overkill and I crossed last July.

    Ed at Raven Rocks, VA

    Got to Bears Den at 1:40. Stopped for snack, water, and a long break.

    Bear’s Den hiking center
    Chuck at Bear’s Den cliff

    The last 1 mile into camp SUCKED. Steep uphill and my hips and thighs are yelling at me. I am more out of shape than I thought. Had to stop about 10 times on this last ascent. We made it to Sam Moore Shelter at 4:40.

    Took an annoying fall right before camp. More embarrassing than anything else. 

    We got camp set up by 5:15. Ed on the left and me on the right. 

    Camp at Sam Moore Shelter

    The one thing I forgot to do before leaving home was to test my water filter. It had zero flow initially. I got it to work marginally. Poor throughput. I’ll try to get another in Front Royal in 3 days.

    Ed and I made dinner about 6:30. Had a good conversation with a young man doing a flip-flop starting from Waynesboro last week. Trail name is Strider.

    Got my food hung and crawled into my tent and in bed at 7:20. Worked on blog and notes. Talked to Dana. Read until 9:30.

    Day 2 Map – Blackburn Trail Center to Sam Moore Shelter

    Technical Notes:

    • Honey stinger waffle – 150
    • Hazelnut nut butter – 200
    • Lance crackers – 190
    • Smoked sausage- 120
    • Lance crackers – 190
    • Payday – 250
    • Mountain House teriyaki rice – 440
    • Dehydrated chicken – 170
    • Lance crackers – 190
    • Trail mix – 180
    • Water liters: 2.7 
    • Miles: 13.9
    • Time: 8:16
    • Elevation gain: 2844 
    • Elevation descent: 3307
    • Calories consumed: 2080
    • Calories burned: 3334

  • Day 1 – Harper’s Ferry to Blackburn Trail Center

    Day 1 – Harper’s Ferry to Blackburn Trail Center

    Sunday, April 27, 2025. Sunny, low 46, going up to 70.

    Up at 7:00. Had coffee with Ed at home and took care of a few chores. Drove to my favorite diner in Frederick. I got a big breakfast. Headed to Harper’s Ferry at 9:15. Said goodbye to Dana (aka Pitcrew) and hiked on the trail at 9:50. 

    Nice, cool, breezy day.  First several miles is a good solid uphill climb. Took a mid-day break at 12:50 and mile 6 at Route 9 Keys Gap. Ed made a furry friend while we rested.

    Ed and a friend at Key’s Gap, WV

    Stopped at David Lesser shelter for a brief break at 2:35. Ed enjoyed the view and the big swing.

    Ed on the swing at David Lesser shelter

    We arrived at Blackburn Trail Center at 4:45. Nobody else here so far. Ed and I took one set of bunk beds in the hiker cabin for tonight.

    Cabin at Blackburn Trail Center

    Got our beds made up, hung up a clothesline to dry out our sweaty shirts and bandannas, and got nice, cold potable water from the well. Relaxed in the rocking chairs on the porch for a bit. 

    Blackburn Trail Center

    We made dinner at 6:30. It was a little early, but it’s getting chilly. Met the caretaker and chatted for a bit. She also thru-hiked last year.

    Headed to bed to read and stay warm at 8:30. Good first day on the trail. 

    Day 1 Map – Harpers Ferry to Blackburn Trail Center

    Technical Notes:

    • Steak, eggs, and toast – 954
    • Smoked sausage – 120
    • Trail mix – 160
    • Curry noodles – 450 
    • Dehydrated chicken – 170
    • Payday – 250
    • Water liters: 1.7
    • Miles: 13.28
    • Time: 6:37
    • Elevation gain: 2764
    • Elevation descent: 1629
    • Calories consumed: 2104
    • Calories burned: 2780
  • Day 90 – Keys Gap to Crampton Gap shelter 

    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

    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