Date: 2014-10-16
From: Reno Monument Road

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Laurel from Teahorse Hostel dropped us off at the trail head at about 8:30AM this morning. We said our goodbyes, checked out the monuments near the parking lot, and headed north.We were in and out of the fog and clouds this morning but the weather held all day.We passed the Dahlgren camp ground which looks like a really nice spot with fire rings, picnic tables and a bathroom house with hot showers - Greenie poked at me suggesting that perhaps I could stop and take a shower to try to set a record for showers taken in a day while on the AT.Shortly after we passed the Old South Mountain Inn - which was closed given the early hour.As we made a short climb from the road there were a couple of deer along the trail that we stopped and watched...or should I say they watched us. Today as we came to find out was opening day for deer using primitive firearms. I was glad we had our "don't shoot me" colors on our packs!We stopped at the restroom at the Washington Monument camping area to use the facilities and get some water, then hiked onto the Washington Monument park. We stopped to climb the tower even though there were not any views today.After crossing Boonsboro Mountain Road we scared some folks there foraging for what looked to be mushrooms. With all of the rain yesterday mushrooms were coming up big time in sections along the trail. We passed a couple of hunters shortly thereafter - all we could initially see through the fog were a couple of blaze orange hats approaching us - Greenie hesitated a moment when he saw the guns in their hands.We stopped to take a picture at the I 70 footbridge to take a picture. The bridge looked ghostly with the fog at the opposite end. We bypassed the side trail to Pine Knob Shelter and headed to Annapolis Rocks for lunch.When we arrived at Annapolis Rocks the view was socked in by clouds. There was a college group there learning to repel and belay. I went to the spring to get some water after we had eaten, and came back to clearing skies which allowed some really nice views. We had planned to possibly camp here but given the early hour we moved on.We got to Pogo Memorial camp site and stopped to evaluate where we were at that time of day. We were thinking of moving on, but after SOBO hiker "Saw Bone" came along and told us that water was flowing at the next shelter, we opted to keep going. We spoke briefly with Saw Bone and his friend hiking with him for a couple of days, said goodbye and moved on north. We passed a Ridge Runner shortly after who did not know that primitive firearms season had started.We stopped at Black Rock Cliffs to take in the views and moved on. We met three SOBO ladies, told them that Saw Bone was just ahead and heading for Annapolis Rocks for lunch and moved on.We got into some good rocks along the ridge after that which reminded us of Pennsylvania rocks. We stopped to take in the one east facing vistas and kept moving.Just before the descent from the ridge line the trail swung back hard to the right and started climbing the rocks on the east side of the mountain that had kept us company for a bit of the afternoon hike. I got concerned that I had misjudged where we were and had much further to go than I thought. I was relieved that we started dropping down via a series of switch backs to MD 17. We crossed over the road, crossed a stream and found ourselves at the shelter in short order.There were a couple of local guys at the shelter, obviously sleeping off beer they had consumed. Greenie and I opted to tent above the shelter vs deal with the locals and their friends that were supposedly to arrive later on.We set camp, drew water and other chores prior to doing our traditional "happy hour" and dinner.We bedded down at 7:30 where it was dark and there was nothing else to be done.Tomorrow we only have 3.9 miles left to Raven Rock Road - so I texted my wife (no cell signal to make calls but had data service) and asked her to let Dave at Burgundy Lane know we would hit the road at about 9:00 the following morning.It was nice to be out camping on the trail for the first time this trip. The weather had forced us to make changes so we could be sure to finish this section this trip vs stranding a short section to have to come back and finish. In all this has been a good trip and a beautiful section to walk.