1st Chronicles
Dahlgren Backpack campground to Waynesboro PA - 23.7 miles hiked today - 1066.9 total AT miles hiked to date.
What a long, varied, interesting day. I got a very early start, packing up and hitting the trail by 6:30 this morning. I wanted to get a full day of hiking in and make it to Waynesboro by the end of the day if possible. That would allow me to attend church in town tomorrow.
Almost immediately I passed several Civil War sites and monuments, along with ruins from that era. Reading some of the displays, I realized how little I knew about that period, and vowed to read up on that war when I return. Just a few miles further down the trail, I came to the (original) Washington Monument, erected in 1827, only 28 years after George Washington’s death. I was able to climb to the top, and see famous battlegrounds like Antietam, as well as views of the surrounding areas.
Leaving there, the trail soon crossed Boonsboro mountain road before crossing I-80 on a pedestrian footbridge. Lots of padlocks fastened to the fences, I guess signifying some sort of eternal bond?
Beyond the bridge, the trail started climbing again, and became more rocky. I stopped at Annapolis Rock to see the views, but had a hard time getting excited by a 1500 foot valley view after seeing 4000 - 5000 foot views in the past several weeks. Still pretty, but in a more immediate and closeup way. I ventured on and eventually stopped at the Raven Rock cliffs for lunch. As it’s Saturday, the crowds were thick and viewing spotty between crowds of day hikers.
After lunch the trail was quite mellow for about an hour, meandering through some meadows, before turning ugly. The last 5 or 6 miles I hiked were very rocky ups and downs reminiscent of the Roller Coaster from a few days ago. Very tough on the feet (and shoes). By late afternoon I had reached the Pen Mar county park. There I arranged to have the park custodian (Dennis Sewell) give me a ride into Waynesboro. I then hiked the last section of the Maryland trail, and passed the Mason/Dixon line, entering Pennsylvania (my 7th state) and reaching hwy 16, where Dennis picked me up for the drive to town. In town tonight and planning to attend church in the morning. Meeting up with Rick in the afternoon when his uncle is picking us up.
Until next time…
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