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| | | Maryland Heights Overlook, MD | | | |
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Maryland Heights Overlook, MD
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| Hiking | 7.83 Miles |
1,505 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.83 Miles | 3 Hrs 50 Mns | | 2.41 mph |
| 1,505 ft AEG | 35 Mns Break | 8 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | | There was some light rain but no severe storms developed so embarked on the second hike of the day. Took advantage of age and used my lifetime pass for the National Parks and parked by the visitors center for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. There is a shuttle bus to the town fortunately I noticed there was also a trail that I opted to take. It descended from Bolivar Heights to the shorelineroad along the Shenandoah River, due to the recent rains there were some nice waterfalls along the creek that ran beside the trail. As I walked along the road and river there were wild flowers and even had a deer jump out,about the only traffic was the every 15 minute shuttle bus. Shortly after the deer encounter I noticed a couple hiking down a use trail which I decided to try. After going a short distance and a couple hundred feet up I was on the white blazed mother trail. A short distance further was signage indicating choices to to Jefferson Rock or Loudoun Heights, headed toward the rock . On the way another sign pointed to a blue blazed path leading to the AT trail conservancy so of course I had to take this side trip. After a little t shirt shopping back on the AT followed it past Harper cemetery,where the original ferry operator is buried and then on to Jefferson Rock named for his 1783 notes on the the view here ,he described it as worth crossing the Atlantic for, ie. the view of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meeting. From there the AT descends into the lower town and past the historic buildings, I snapped a couple of pictures but did not go inside the buildings as I had been through them before. Slight detour to the “point “for river viewing with the other tourists and then across the foot bridge over the Potomac. Noted several people on the river below tubing. After crossing here went a short ways to lock 32 on the C&O canal ,reconfirming my decision was good not to go this way to Weverton Cliffs,then reversed course to get on the trail to the Maryland Heights. After walking about 1/2 mile along the canal path beside the Potomac River you cross the road to the start of the ascent to Maryland Heights, by the way there is a small parking lot here beside Harpers Ferry Road if you should want to drive and park near this trailhead. There is an information kiosk that indicates there are 2 routes the easier red route to the overlook and the more difficult blue route to the summit ,green blaze indicates you are on the combined part.The trail is wide and in good shape ,steep enough to get an aerobic workout.A consideration on the “easier “red route to the overlook is you descend about 300 feet to reach the overlook and regain it on the return where the summit is only 500 feet above the high point of the red route , so not sure the red blaze route is that much easier. I did pass by some earthen fortifications where artillary was placed to lob shells into town during the Civil War,though the town was home to an Arsenal and musket factory whoever controlled the surrounding heights owned the town. The views from the bottom of the overlook trail to the town and river below are awesome. Happened to see an Amtrak train cross the bridge while I was taking in the views. Lingered here awhile then backtracked down the heights without taking the side trip to the naval battery and quickly returned to the town along the canal path and over the bridge. My good luck continued , just as I got to the bus stop to take the shuttle back to my car the bottom dropped out and heavy rains continued the rest of the evening. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Turns out they were recruits and instructors from the Roanoke Police Academy , they soon distanced themselves from me . After passing through another pasture I crossed the second foot bridge for the larger Catawba Creek . After this the trail starts ascending ,at first gradual until leaving the creek side, then steeply a couple of steep sections had steps fashioned from logs, one section with about a 100 and another half that. On the way I was introduced to the yellow jacket family , a mean bunch, but they managed to inflict only 3 stings before being brushed aside. Continuing up the switchbacks now the forest remains well leafed out so view visibility is limited. Heard one warning rattle on the way up but never saw the snake. Was on the lookout for bears which are frequently seen here but saw none probably due to the large group now in front of me. This trail is on private property owned by a cement company that allows use of the trail for hiking only no camping. Finally reaching the junction with the Appalachian Trail in an area known as Scorched Earth Gap. The story behind the name Is in 1982 a guide led a group of hikers here off trail on Tinker Mountain and during the bushwhacking an increasingly unhappy female hiker launched into a profanity laced tirade increasing in crescendo that by time the gap was reached the ground was smoking 
. At this junction a right turn to the south on the AT continues a moderately steep climb that brings you to the first areas where some views begin now you are about at 3.6 miles from the parking lot, to get the best views continue on for another .3 miles. Several flat rocky areas invite a lunch or snack break while still taking in the views. Returned the same way this time managing to avoid the yellow jacket clan. A popular shuttle hike is to continue on south from Tinker Cliffs to Mcafee Knob to make it a 12.8 mile one way trip.
Nice views of the mountains and Valleys of this portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Retraced my steps back to the Dragons Tooth trail junction but this time continued down the still rocky AT to the clearly marked junction with the yellow blazed Boy Scout Connector trail. From there smooth sailing to the parking lot. Used route scout until reaching the tooth and then needed to save phone battery.On the way down the crowd was steadily building now passing by a score of young adults and teens. To reach the trailhead on route 311 I drove on Mount Tabor Rd. from the Mountain Lake Lodge . Along this road one passes by the Audie Murphy plane crash site on Brush Mountain. As far as Mountain Lake Lodge it was called Kellermans resort when it was the location for filming of “Dirty Dancing “ , sadly due probably to a fissure Mountain Lake is now a pond, not known if it will ever refill.
