AT Day 74: Maryland!

Daily Miles: 17.1, Total Miles: 1,043.6

Both flights were on time yesterday and Mark (Strings) got me from Dulles to Harpers Ferry and Towns Inn. I had just enough time to run across the street to the Rabbit Hole for a burger and IPA before they closed. Walked up to the AT Conservatory Office and got my 2024 AT tag. Got quizzed again on Leave No Trace principles. The AT rep would pantomime the correct responses so it was at least entertaining.

I finally left Harpers Ferry WV and crossed over the Potomac River into Maryland about 10am. Local rescue teams were practicing in the river with motorized inflatables and a helicopter so a lot of activity. A nice, pleasant walk along the C & O Canal and the Potomac River before turning and heading up to the Weverton Cliffs.

I followed just below the rocky ridge for the rest of the warm and mostly sunny day with occasional glimpses of the countryside below. The tall trees are mostly budded out. I stopped a few times including civil war memorials, one where the two generals from both sides were killed.

No dispersed camping allowed in Maryland so called it a day at Dahlgren Backpack Camp. Complete with flush toilets and showers and FREE! Only two other hikers here, the closest one snoring loudly as I write this.

Not many hikers today but stopped to let a large, black rat snake cross the trail. Fired up my Merlin bird app a few times today: Northern Cardinal, Carolina Wren and a Pine Warbler.