2nd Kings
Stealth campsite to Dahlgren Backpack Campground - 13.0 miles hiked today - 1043.2 AT miles hiked to date.
Got a later start this morning since I was planning a short mileage day to allow Rick to catch up, as he had spent last night in town. I realized as I got up today that I had hiked into Maryland yesterday as I left Harpers Ferry and crossed the Potomac, my sixth state since I started.
The trail was forgiving today for the most part, and the changes in altitude were minimal. Early on I came to the Weaverton Cliffs, offering an overview of the Potomac river. I then stopped at the Ed Garvey shelter, which had been my initial goal yesterday. From there, I hiked down into the Gathland State park, honoring several Civil War battles. It was a very well maintained and serene area, offering a perfect mid morning rest stop. Due to the scarcity of easy access water sources in the next section, I also filtered and filled my water bottles there.
By lunchtime I had reached the White Rock Cliffs, where I enjoyed the view as I ate my PBJ. The views have been fewer and farther between each other as I head further north, so I appreciated this opportunity to see the valleys and mountains surrounding me.
By late afternoon, I’d reached the Rocky Run shelter, where I met a southbound hiker. He told me that less than two miles further was the Dahlgren Backpacker Campground, a state run park that offered free overnight camping for backpackers. In addition to nice, flat tent sites it had a bathroom facility that included heated showers and flush toilets. I decided to hike the short distance to the campground and was glad I did. I grabbed one of the last tent sites, set up, and then took a hot shower. So refreshing.
Afterwards, the Vintage Hikers (who I’d met a few days prior) invited me to join them at the Old South Mountain Inn for dinner, just 2/10 mile up the trail. Had a salad and grilled fish for dinner, better than the tuna packet I had been planning on. After dinner I retreated to my tent for the evening. Tomorrow will likely also be a relatively short day as we are trying to time our arrival into Waynesboro PA for Sunday.
Until next time…
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