On a beautiful fall day, if you were in the north of England, 12 scouts and an assorted gaggle of old people met up at Harpers Ferry for an out-and-back hike.
As the cars pulled into the parking lot at Harpers Ferry train station the wind picked up and rain continued to fall. Perfect hiking conditions, not!
Once various layers were put on, parking fees paid, we headed out on a stroll down the tow path. My cunning theory of there being shelter from the wind once we dropped down to the tow path was very definitely proved wrong. In fact, the trees formed what was a perfect wind tunnel. The only upside, it was coming from our backs.
This hike mostly followed the Appalachian Trail (AT) as it navigates its way through Harpers Ferry and from Virginia to West Virginia and finally into Maryland and then making its merry way north (which as one scout noted when asked which way was north … it’s up!). After about 3 ½ miles on the tow path we crossed under Rt 340 and began the climb up to the Weverton Cliffs. At the top we left the AT and scooted a few hundred yards down (i.e. south) to the cliffs. What a view! Well worth the climb. Sandwiches were had and hot coffee and hot chocolate were a welcome treat.
After refueling we dropped down back to the tow path. The rain had stopped, the wind died down (not completely, but enough) and the sun was now out. Our trip back up the tow path was uneventful, and the conversations continued. Some discussed the pros and cons of bikers (of the peddle sort) versus hikers (of the foot-using sort) and their lack of understanding of each other’s goals in life (one being to run the others of the path, the others to enjoy a gentle stroll in the outdoors!!). Car buying was a hot topic as was the potential naming of soon-to-be pet Chinchilla sisters.
Once back at the cars we delayered and headed back to McLean. No hike in December as the troop is backpacking on the weekend of the 14/15th. Our next adventure will be sometime in January. Another good calendar year of hiking is behind us, here’s to more outdoor strolls and fun conversations next year.
If you want to see pictures from this outing, click here.