AT Thru-Hike: West Virginia and Maryland
Short in distance but rich in meaning, these two states offer powerful milestones, deep history and memorable trail moments.
Almost Heaven!
A Break and a Boost
After completing the Shenandoah Park section of the Appalachian Trail (AT), I took a week-long break at home. Living just an hour from the park, it was the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge. I even managed to put on five of the 20 pounds I had lost so far. Refreshed, I returned to the trail, finishing up the remaining 54 miles of Virginia before entering West Virginia.
After completing the Shenandoah Park section of the Appalachian Trail (AT), I took a week-long break at home. Living just an hour from the park, it was the perfect opportunity to relax and recharge. I even managed to put on five of the 20 pounds I had lost so far. Refreshed, I returned to the trail, finishing up the remaining 54 miles of Virginia before entering West Virginia.
Harpers Ferry: A Symbolic Milestone
Despite only being four miles of the AT, West Virginia holds significance as the psychological midpoint of the AT. The trail has expanded over the years, so the actual midpoint is now 90 miles north in Pennsylvania, but hikers traditionally stop at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry to check in and take midpoint photos.
Despite only being four miles of the AT, West Virginia holds significance as the psychological midpoint of the AT. The trail has expanded over the years, so the actual midpoint is now 90 miles north in Pennsylvania, but hikers traditionally stop at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry to check in and take midpoint photos.
A Detour to Gettysburg
I thought I would be further along and had planned to spend Memorial Day weekend with friends in Gettysburg, so I got picked up in Harpers Ferry and headed north by car. We stayed in a cabin at an RV park, toured the historic battlefields using a self-guided app and enjoyed some downtime together. It was a welcome break from trail life and a powerful reminder of the deep history rooted in this region. After the weekend, I returned to Harpers Ferry and resumed hiking.
I thought I would be further along and had planned to spend Memorial Day weekend with friends in Gettysburg, so I got picked up in Harpers Ferry and headed north by car. We stayed in a cabin at an RV park, toured the historic battlefields using a self-guided app and enjoyed some downtime together. It was a welcome break from trail life and a powerful reminder of the deep history rooted in this region. After the weekend, I returned to Harpers Ferry and resumed hiking.
No Four State Challenge for Me
Some more ambitious hikers at this point participate in the “Four State Challenge,” where hikers walk 40 miles from Virginia through West Virginia and Maryland into Pennsylvania in one day. I took my time, however, camping a few nights on the trail. One night, I stayed at Sunflower Cottage in Maryland, which was basically a shed in someone’s yard (but where the owner treated me to an unforgettable breakfast before driving me back to the trail the next morning).
Some more ambitious hikers at this point participate in the “Four State Challenge,” where hikers walk 40 miles from Virginia through West Virginia and Maryland into Pennsylvania in one day. I took my time, however, camping a few nights on the trail. One night, I stayed at Sunflower Cottage in Maryland, which was basically a shed in someone’s yard (but where the owner treated me to an unforgettable breakfast before driving me back to the trail the next morning).
Short and Sweet: Maryland on Foot
Maryland’s section of the trail is relatively short, but it offers lovely views and well-maintained paths. One interesting thing about Maryland was the Gathland State Park, which includes ruins of Gath’s estate and Gath’s empty tomb. The park, once home to Civil War journalist George Alfred Townsend, now preserves monuments and ruins that commemorate war correspondents.
Maryland’s section of the trail is relatively short, but it offers lovely views and well-maintained paths. One interesting thing about Maryland was the Gathland State Park, which includes ruins of Gath’s estate and Gath’s empty tomb. The park, once home to Civil War journalist George Alfred Townsend, now preserves monuments and ruins that commemorate war correspondents.
History, Nature, and Meaning
Even with taking my time, it was only a couple of days before I crossed the Mason-Dixon line into Pennsylvania.
What I experienced as I hiked through these two states was not only their bountiful natural beauty of flora and fauna but also the roles that each of these states played in shaping this country. Passing through many of these small towns while learning about and discovering their history gave even more appreciation of my journey.
Even with taking my time, it was only a couple of days before I crossed the Mason-Dixon line into Pennsylvania.
What I experienced as I hiked through these two states was not only their bountiful natural beauty of flora and fauna but also the roles that each of these states played in shaping this country. Passing through many of these small towns while learning about and discovering their history gave even more appreciation of my journey.