Finally at Harpers Ferry – The Trek

This morning we only had a few miles left until we reached Harper’s Ferry. This trail town is very special on the Appalachian Trail because it is considered the psychological halfway point. Harper’s Ferry is also home to one of the headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Needless to say, we were pretty excited to get there. We woke up well rested and ready to get moving.

Preserving the Appalachian Trail

When we arrived at Harper’s Ferry the first thing we did was head to ATC. It was an incredible feeling to be celebrated by people who work in conservation. Everyone was very knowledgeable about the trail and was curious to know how our hike was going. They had a small room in the back reserved for hikers. We saw some hikers we recognized in the room, one of them Bushwack. As we approached him, we noticed he had a brace on his elbow. He told us that while walking on the swamp boards after a rainy day he had slipped and dislocated his elbow. Fortunately, he was with his family who helped him get to the hospital and receive the care he needed. We have been hiking on and off with this group since Shenandoah National Park. If you want more information about what happened, consult the Master Chef blog about it. He’ll take a few weeks off and then finish his AT trek, which turns out to be his last long trek to the triple crown!

We spent a few hours at the ATC headquarters. Talking to staff and other hikers. We even talked to some hikers who were very interested in our adventure. Finally, we took our photo halfway. The ATC has a large catalog of all the hikers who come to Harper’s Ferry and now our photo is part of that.

Lunch in the city

After leaving ATC we walked to the main drag at Harper’s Ferry for lunch. We ended up choosing a Greek place and were not disappointed. We didn’t know that West Virginia was known for its Greek cuisine. It was a nice change of pace from the normal burger or pizza we received when we arrived in town. Shout out to Cannonball Cafe in Harper’s Ferry. Once we thought we couldn’t eat any more, we found a space for ice cream. We found a nice spot on the Strip and ate our candy while people watched.

We finally decided it was time to get back on the road. We crossed the bridge leaving Harper’s Ferry and continued north. This meant we were entering our next state, Maryland. Luckily the walk was very relaxed leaving the city and we ended up arriving at Crampton Gap Shelter with plenty of sunlight.

Waking up with great miles ahead

The next day was exciting! A few weeks ago some of our rafting friends reached out and said we could stay with them when we hiked through Waynesboro PA. We missed our whitewater family and took the opportunity to see some of them while we were on the trail. We had planned to arrive in Waynesboro this afternoon, but it was going to be a 21 mile day. With that said, we got up early and got to work.

As we walked toward Waynesboro we saw more mountain laurels in bloom than ever before. These are some of our favorite flowers along the way. They remind us of western North Carolina and paddling down the Nantahala River. It’s as if a piece of home has been following us.

The Washington Monument OG

Today it seemed like we were crushing the miles. When we know we’re going to get a bed to sleep in and a good shower, it’s hard not to be motivated. We passed the Washington Monument, no, not that one. This Washington Monument arose almost 60 years before the one in DC. While we enjoyed the beauty of the monument, Avalanche told me some interesting facts about the history of the AT. I had been listening to a podcast called “The Green Tunnel” that gives a detailed history of the Appalachian Trail and how it was created.

When we finished there, we met some friendly hikers who gave us the magic of the trail. We could choose between a beer or a juice box. We ended up taking one of each so we could share. We then stopped for a quick lunch at Pine Knob Shelter. We only had 8 more miles left and we would be hanging out with friends, very close.

How to Get to Waynesboro PA

The rest of the hike was very peaceful and even had a couple of nice viewpoints. Finally we arrive at our destination. Our friend and his daughter were waiting for us and were very excited when we showed up. We got into his car and headed to the house where we had a cookout with his family. What a great way to end the day!

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