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| Hiking | 11.84 Miles |
2,085 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.84 Miles | 4 Hrs 29 Mns | | 2.64 mph |
| 2,085 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Today, I planned to complete Maryland’s ~40 miles of the Appalachian Trail by hiking from Wolfsville Road, southeast of Smithsburg, to Pen Mar, just inside Pennsylvania. Thanx again to my patient wife, I would be able to do it as a shuttle hike, rather than turning around and hiking another ten miles back. I’m too old for that.
Also, because I never fly my pack or poles, I would again be hiking gearless. We planned for my wife to meet me about halfway, where the AT crosses MD-491 / Raven Rock Rd. so I could grab another bottle of water, then meet again at High Rock, before she picked me up in Pen Mar.
According to WikiTrail.org, Ensign Cowall is a new shelter, intended to replace the “dismantled” Raven Rock Shelter. I would have checked Ensign Cowall more thoroughly than I did, but a couple of thru-hikers were kibbitzing, so I settled for saying howdy, then moving along.
I started noticing several species of flowers, which was cool as I had never seen flowers on the AT before. (My hike’s tending to come before western Maryland fully embraces Sprinng.) I also noticed the first of several plastic Easter eggs tied to trees by trail angels. I left them for the thru-hikers. ;-)
About halfway down the descent to Warner Gap Hollow, on the left of the trail, is a piece of equipment. I’m guessing some sort of farm equipment, as very old stone walls along the trail seem to indicate it was once cleared and farmed.
Crossing Little Antietam Creek, I managed to slip and fall into the water. Though I did not notice it at the time, I must have also wrenched my back, as turning the wrong has been uncomfortable ever since. (A particular issue tonight, as I unsuccessfully tried to chase a baby squirrel around my laundry room.) My feet were soaked, but I soldiered on. Blisters threat or not, no way I was stopping.
After getting my water resupplied by my wife, I headed up the third climb. I took a photo break about halfway up at a water seep “falls” where some thru-hikers were getting ready to head out.
Despite internet rumors to the contrary, Raven Rock Shelter has not been dismantled. In fact, it is in great shape!
About a quarter mile south of the first High Rock intersection, I started noticing rocks that had been spray painted with people’s names. At first I thought, “They left much trace”. The next one “{orifices}”. The third one “Okay, this is getting old”. I thought it was hikers committing the vandalism. When I saw High Rock, I realized it was locals. The whole prominence was *covered* with graffiti.
After taking a lunch break, I headed south back to the AT. It was hard to follow, so I resorted to following orange ground flags, which seemed to indicate a possible future AT rerouting. It was slow going for the next mile.
It was a relief to get some clearly defined trail heading into Pen Mar Park. I was surprised to cross the Mason-Dixon Line. That was cool. I signed the trail register, even though I am not a thru-hiker.
Then it was back to Hagerstown to see our granddaughter. 
Hike Video: [ youtube video ] |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Eight species spotted, which is eight more than I've ever seen before on the AT. |
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Edgemont Creek |
Medium flow |
Medium flow |
| | | I think this is the "unnamed" creek through Warner Gap Hollow. It too had lots of water, rapidly flowing. | | _____________________
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