Hike Report from the Maryland Dames
What a great hike we had yesterday! Many thanks to Sue Guynn of the Frederick News Post for coming along to interview the Dames and take photos and video.
We met in the Harpers Ferry Visitors Center parking lot and took the shuttle bus down into town. We were early to be almost the only people on the bus...the one other person was a lone male, or as one Dame put it "a thistle in a bed of roses." 
It was chilly to start off, only in the upper 30's, but brilliantly clear out. We made our way to the trail head (a trek that probably adds another full mile to the hike, round trip), and took our group photos. I took a moment to dedicate the hike to a dear friend, Lola Williamson, who died suddenly this past week. She was always a great encouragement to me in every thing I did and will be sorely missed on this earth. 
This trail is the road bed that Union troops made to haul up cannon, ammunition, powder, water, tents and other supplies to the summit of the mountain, where they set up to defend the rivers and town. It is long and steep, 3 miles to the summit. If we find it hard in our high tech boots/shoes, light clothing, and using hiking poles then just imagine doing it in July, in wool uniforms, broken down boots and shoes, dragging cannon capable of firing 100 lb cannon balls plus all of the supplies the troops would need - and having to go all the way back down to the rivers once a week to haul up enough water for everyone. At the 2 mile point we took the side trail, another 1 mile round trip, down to the overlook - a rocky cliff that has a full view of both rivers and the town. Spent some time enjoying the view, taking photos and having snacks. Then it was time to do the last mile ascent to the summit.
Once there we spread out, relaxed and had lunch. Again, stunning views and by then a gorgeous warm day. Off came the layers and we soaked up the sunshine. I should note as well that there are many historic markers and sites on this trail - the ammo dumps and powder magazines, the ruins of the stone fort the troops built, the site of the 100 lb cannon at the summit (that's the weight of the cannonball - not the much much heavier cannon itself), troop tent sites, and even a sad sign remarking on the death of a soldier who was blown to bits when an ammo dump blew up. I suppose he's still there watching the hikers pass by.......
The hike back is all downhill, as much steep down to the bottom as it is up to the top. It is a loop hike, so the way down offers different scenery til we hit the main road again. It took us about 4 1/2 hours start to finish, for a total of about 8 miles with the walk back to town.
Once in town some went on home, many headed to the Secret Six Tavern, and five of us went on up High Street (another long steep climb!) to the PATC HQ (Potomac Appalachian Trail Conference). We had been invited to stop by by a new Dames member, Terri, as she's a volunteer there. They were so excited to meet us! Lots of handshaking and a 1000 questions! I'd never been there and it is absolutely worth visiting. So much information on the AT, books and things to buy, a hiker's "lounge", photo albums of thru-hikers that have stopped on the way, a huge relief map of the AT, and more. I will definitely be going back when I'm not so tired and sweat soaked! The five of us went back down the street to the tavern for some refreshment. We couldn't get seated with everyone else, but we still had a great time just sitting and chatting and it was a perfect way to end a perfect hike.
Enjoyed the trip report! Was this trail called "Maryland Heights"? Harper's Ferry is such a great little town. :)
Posted by: Joan West | November 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM