morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-25
From: US 522 near Front Royal, VA

To: VA 55 near Linden, VA
Miles today: 8.2

Hike 09-49-VA, US 522 (Front Royal, VA) to VA 55 (Linden, VA)Monday, 25 May 2009, Day Hike, 8.2 Miles, Northbound.Weather: Overcast and grey, thunderstorms forecast in the late afternoon.Because of the possibilities of afternoon thunderstorms, I got off to an early start at 6:30 AM. I want to finish my day hike before the thunderstorms. It is very humid and I know I will feel it as I climb my first challenge going up to a knob one thousand feet high. When I reach the crest of the knob, there is no view, but the forest is full of singing birds.A mile into my hike and I am in a very dense undergrowth where the only clear area is the AT and that is only about three feet wide. The undergrowth is a tangle of wild vines, brush and dead trees. At 3.5 miles I am hiking on a gentle descent and I hear drops of rain in the tops of the trees. Since the trees are so close together, I don't get any rain drops down on the forest floor. The breeze has turned cool and it feel good especially after my humid climb.Near the end of my descent I come to the side trail to Jim and Molly Denton Shelter. This shelter is known as the Hiker's Hilton because it has a shower with water from a spring (Brrrrrr), a picnic table in a small pavillion, a stinky privy and enough room to sleep at least ten hikers. When I reach the Denton Shelter, there are four weekend hikers, teachers from Baltimore, at the shelter. We talk for a while and then I move on down the trail. The forest has been filled with flowering dogwood. I cross a large meadow and then continue reaching VA 638, then across a rail track and stop at VA 55 near Linden, VA. To get to my pick up point, I had to go under Interstate 66. I am no longer in the wilderness. The clouds are turning a deep grey and it looks like the forecast of thunderstorms may arrive in a couple of hours. I am glad to finish my hike and we head back to our RV where I can shower, have a great lunch and relax.
Date: 2009-05-27
From: VA 55 near Linden, VA

To: Ashby Gap (US 50)
Miles today: 12.3

Hike 09-50-VA, VA 725 (Linden, VA) to Ashby Gap (US 50).Wednesday, 27 May 2009, Day Hike, 12.3 Miles, Northbound.Weather: Foggy with forecast for 30 percent of rain.The next three days are forecast to be rainy with today having the least chance of rain. So I start out on a foggy morning and have a thousand foot climb at the very beginning to get my body warmed up (natures idea not mine). The temps are in the low 60s, so I will be nice and cool. I can't see more than a hundred feet ahead of me and I can feel a slight drizzle on my face. On my climb up the mountain I pass an old homestead pond made by an old dam. Again there is evidence all around that a family once lived in this part of the forest. At the top of my climb I encounter a gentle rolling terrain of shallow gaps and small rises. It runs this way for the next two miles. So far I have been hearing the rain drops hitting the tree branches above, but very little rain reaches me on the forest floor. The fresh aroma of a wet forest during the rain is so nice and it puts some spring in my step. The trail is very muddy and wet and at times there is a small stream of water running down the middle of the path.At 2.4 miles I come to the side trail to Manassas Gap Shelter, but I don't go to the shelter. I figure that on a wet and foggy day like today, some of the Thur-Hikers will just stay in the shelter and take a zero day. Later in the day I do pass a couple of day hikers going south and get passed by a young Thur-Hiker going north. At mile 5.1 I hear some heavy movement off the trail to my right and it sounds like a bear scratching around for nuts or grazing on grass. I stop and listen and then quietly move on down the wet trail.So far this morning it has continued to rain lightly, but again I am protected by the tree tops and don't get wet. At 11:30 AM around mile 7.2 the rain stops, the forest and birds are all silent for about ten minutes and then the birds start to sing again. I pass the side trail to Dick's Dome shelter, but again I have no reason to go two-tenths of a mile off trail, so I continue on my way. When I reach Big Meadows State Park, I see a deer and once it spots me, it bounds off across the grassy meadow. The deer here are not as tame as the deer in the Shenandowh National Park. From the State Park it is all down hill to Ashby Gap on US 50 and my pick up point. Once we were back in our RV later in the day it started to rain hard and I was glad I made the decision to hike early. This will be my last hike until we set up again at Harpers Ferry, WV.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Ashby Gap (US 50)

To: VA 605
Miles today: 7.3

Hike 09-51-VA, Ashby Gap (US 50/VA 601) to VA 605.Sunday, 31 May 2009, Day Hike, 7.3 Miles, NorthboundWeather: Overcast, rained hard last night.Today my day hike will be 7.3 miles, but it will be a hard hike. I'm going to be entering "The Roller Coaster." The Roller Coaster is a section of thirteen and a half miles that runs up and down with elevation gains of five to seven hundred feet. I can expect to climb a five hundred foot ridge and then go down into a seven hundred descent to a hollow (gap). Starting at Ashby Gap, I climb five hundred feet. The climb was not bad, but what made it hard was the muddy trail and rocky sections. You have to pick you footing to prevent a fall. The trail has water running down the middle, exposed wet tree roots, rocky and slippery mud. All the conditions for a good fall. There were no views on the hike today, just walking the trail in the forest with a lot of PUDS (Pointless Ups and DownS). I am still in a heavy forest overgrowth area and the trail at times is the only path that cuts through the vines and brush. Have not seen any wildlife, but they could be right next to me on the trail and I would miss a sighting.I had to cross several mountain streams by hopping on large rocks. Again, some of the rocks were wet and slippery. The mud from the trail caked on to my hiking boots and at times I feel like I was hauling a bowling ball at the end of each of my legs.The wave of Thur-Hikers from the South and North have began to appear on the trail in larger numbers. Since this section is close to Harpers Ferry, a number of day hikers are hiking the trail. We have parked our RV just outside of Harpers Ferry at a KOA Campground which is very nice. We are enjoying our stay and look forward to exploring Harpers Ferry with all its historical interest.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: VA 605

To: Snickers Gap (VA 7)
Miles today: 6.8

Hike 09-52-VA, VA 605 to Snickers Gap (VA 7)Monday, 1 June 2009, Day Hike, 6.8 Miles, NorthboundWeather: Sunny - great day for hiking, temps on ridge 65 degrees.Returned to complete "The Roller Coaster." My day hike will be another short day hike, but I will work for the miles as I take on the challenge of finishing The Roller Coaster. Start out with a climb, followed by a descent into Reservoir Hollow. I encounter my first of many mountain streams for today, but this mountain stream has a nice waterfall that I can hear upstream. I could have gone to the waterfall, but it would require some rock scrambling and I am not in the mood to climb more rocks. At 1.5 miles, I meet "Mud Flap", a Thur-Hiker who started back at Springer Mountain in February, but has not progressed very fast because he has taken many zero days to enjoy the friendly trail towns along the way (his words, not mine). This is Mud Flap's second Thur-Hiking venture having completed the AT in 2006. The trail has dried out quite a bit and the mud is almost gone. The rocky sections are still present and slowing down all the hikers. Saw my first blooming of Mountain Laurel next to the trail. Beautiful wild flower with small white flowers that blooms in close bunches.Passed the ruins of an old homestead. The rock foundation was all that was left and a mile up the trail, I came to what looked like the remains of a cellar. Have crossed a number of rock fences that were used to keep the livestock corraled on the mountain.   Crossed nine different mountain streams today. Most are carrying a lot of water from the recent rain storms. They are all beautiful and so peaceful. I took a snack break on a rock and enjoyed the sounds of cascading water over the rocks.   Towards the end of my hike, I stopped for a nice view off Bear Den Rock. There is a hikers hostel just off the trail near Bear Den Rock. I met a couple of hikers who spent the night at the hostel and they had a good time and a great breakfast. My next hike will be a longer day hike. Soon, I will have to return to my back packing doing trips of three to six days and sleeping in my tent or in a shelter. So far, doing the day hikes starting at less than ten miles has let me get my legs back in shape for the longer overnight hikes.Tomorrow we may explore Harpers Ferry and all the historical aspects.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Snickers Gap (VA 7)

To: Keys Gap (WV 9)
Miles today: 13.5

Hike 09-53-WV, Snickers Gap (VA 7) to Keys Gap (WV 9)Tuesday, 2 June 2009, 13.5 Miles, NorthboundWeather: Sunny, possible thunderstorms later in afternoon.Taking on my longest day hike of the summer. I have some challenges with three good climbs in the first four miles, but after that the hike runs along a gentle rise and fall terrain to the end of my hike. I arrived early at the trailhead and head off to new adventures. It will be a long day of hiking.Trail is rocky again, but dry and alternates between rocky and flat packed ground. It is slow going on the rocky climbs and descents, but I can move faster in flat areas of the trail. I come to a nice view at mile .7 and at 1.8. I drop down to a deep hollow and a mountain stream where the air is cool. I find four Thur-Hikers camping on the stream banks. We chat for a short time and I continue on my way while they pack up.At 8:33 AM, I reach the state line for Virginia and West Virginia. As I pause at the state line, the four Thur-Hikers catch up and we all take pictures. We all meet up again at Crescent Rock where there is a beautiful vista of the Shenandoah Valley. Most of my hike is in the woods along a flat part of a high ridge. I can see the skyline just over the ridge, but the woods blocks any good view. For the next four miles I am moving along a reasonably flat part of high ridge with small hills and dips in the forest. It is getting warm now and the climbs, even thought they are small are hot. The gnats keep buzzing me as I walk along the trail, even with a slight breeze. The way I keep the gnats away is to wear my reading half lens glasses. I guess I look like I have four eyes and that keep the gnats away from my face. At mile 11, I reach the side trail (Blue Blaze) to David Lesser Shelter. I stop at the shelter and sign the trail register. At the shelter is a section hiker who is German and lives in Charlotte, SC. His trail name is Red Baron. I met him on the trail yesterday. He is doing the AT in section each summer like my plan. He return home in two days and will come back for more hiking in October to enjoy the Fall colors. Good plan.From the shelter it is all downhill to the road pick up. The trail is packed and I seem to have left all the rocks behind me. I can move along at a good pace and soon arrive at the parking lot on WV 9. Judy is waiting and I am glad to have my hiking over for the day. My feet are tired, but a good shower and dinner return my body back to normal. Next hike will be 7.6 miles and take me through the town of Harpers Ferry, WV along some of its historical steets. That should be fun and very interesting.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Keys Gap (WV 9)

To: US 340 Underpass past Harpers Ferry, WV.
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Hike 09-54-WV, Keys Gap/WV 9 to US 340 Underpass past Harpers Ferry, WV.Saturday, 6 June 2009, NorthboundWeather: Cloudy with some sunshine.Today my day hike will be a goal setting accomplishment when I finish. I had three goals that I set for myself when I started section hiking back in 2006. First, to reach Harpers Ferry, WV; second, to reach the physical midway point of the Appalachian Trail (AT)in miles hiked; and third, to climb Mt Katahdin in Maine sometime during my AT adventure. Today I will hike through Harpers Ferry on my way to my pick up point. The other two goals are within my sights later this summer.For a change, my start was on level ground for the first two miles. Then I had a five hundred foot climb, where the trail again levels out. Since it has been raining for the last three days, the trail is wet and very muddy. The trail path varies from rocky, to wet and muddy, to packed but wet dirt, but not muddy. In some places on the trail water that is draining from the ridges is flowing down the middle of the trail.At mile 4.0, I start a downward descent into Harpers Ferry. I cross the Shenandoah River Bridge, then pass into a dense woods with a very good path and walk into Harpers Ferry. All the historical significants of the town come to me as I hike along the trail. I came to Jefferson Rock, an elevated rock above Harpers Ferry that has a commanding view of the town and its two rivers. Then within two hundred yards I see the ruins of an old Lutheran church. Shortly after, I walk pass a Catholic church that has served Harpers Ferry since before the Civil War, but this church is still in service. After walking through Harpers Ferry with all its Civil War historical sights, I cross the Potomac River on a footbridge and follow the remains of an old C&O Canal on its old Towpath. The grass lane that was used by mules or horses to tow the barges follow the canal. The C&O Towpath is used by the AT and many walkers, bikers and hikers. I followed the Towpath for two and a half miles to my pick up point.I am now hiking in Maryland and feel good about having accomplished my first major goal on the AT. Judy hiked back on the Towpath where we joined up and returned to our SUV. Glad I started out early as the day turned warm and the gnats returned.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: US 340 Underpass past Harpers Ferry, WV.

To: Crampton Gap (MD 572)
Miles today: 6.7

Hike 09-55A-MD (US 340 Underpass to Crampton Gap/MD 572)Day Hike, 6.7 miles, northboundWeather: Sunny with possible thunderstorms in afternoon, high 89 degrees.Off and hiking early leaving the trailhead parking area at 6:45 AM. I am trying to beat the coming heat and the gnats. At my start, it is cool, but a bit humid. As is normally the case when starting from a road access, my first mile and a half is a nine hundred foot elevation gain up a steep ridge. The first half of my climb is made easier with the use of sixteen switchbacks.After climbing up the mountain five hundred feet, I came to Weverton Cliffs with an outstanding view of the Potomac River down between the mountains. This would be the only view on this hike. After leaving Weverton Cliffs, I continue my climb, but now there is a nice gradual path and no switchbacks. Once I reach the top of the mountain ridge, I am into the woods and my hike turns into a "walk in the woods." The trail is smooth with flat faced rocks that are hiker friendly and it makes the hiking easy. My hike today is turning out to be very enjoyable and being in the forest so early in the morning is a great treat. The good news is that I am serenaded by the birds, bad news is that I am the first hiker out this morning and keep crossing spider web strands across the trail. The strands catch my face so that I have to keep wiping my face to remove the web strands.Reach Ed Garvey Memorial Shelter, a very nice shelter complete with sleeping loft and a balcony. The shelter has the normal fire ring, picnic table, privy and a water source down the ridge one hundred feet. A backpacker is at the shelter (Underground) who just started on the trail a couple of days ago. His pack looks very heavy and he is all worn out. Underground leaves the shelter going north while I am signing the Trail Register.I leave the shelter and return to the AT and head north. I am within two miles of my pick up point. About half a mile down the trail I come to Brownsville Gap and Underground is sitting on the side of the trail. He said he was out of water because he had not gone down to the stream below the shelter to get water. He had hoped to fill up his water bottles at Crampton Gap, a mile and a half down the trail, but now he very thirsty and wishes he had got water. I had extra water, so I fill up one of his water bottles and leave him sitting and drinking water on the trail. Soon I am met by Judy who has hiked back up the trail about a mile to meet me and we hike back to the parking area. In the area where our SUV is parked, there is a large fifty foot stone memorial dedicated to the Civil War newspaper correspondents. It was established by George Alfred Townsend, a writer and Civil War journalist.Judy and I take some pictures and return to our RV to relax in what will be a hot day. It is really nice to be able to hike early and then have a support team who will pick me up so I can clean up, enjoy lunch and relax the rest of the day... Life is gooooood.....
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Crampton Gap (MD 572)

To: Turners Gap (US Alt 40)
Miles today: 7.2

Hike 09-55B-MD (Crampton Gap to Turners Gap - US Alt 40)Day Hike, 7.2 Miles, NorthboundWeather: Sunny with forecast of afternoon thunderstorms.Return to the site of the Townsend Monument to Civil War Newspaper Correspondents. Townsend was a writer and correspondent during the Civil War. This was my start for today and it would be an easy hike with a long gradual climb for the first four mile up to Lambs Knoll. Then I continued with another gradual descent to my pick up point at Dahlgren Gothic Chapel on US Alternate 40. Just before reaching the crest of Lambs Knoll, I came to White Rock Cliff. There was a nice view from the rocks, but the high humidity made the view very hazy. In my descent I passed Rocky Row Shelter, a quarter of a mile off the trail. I continued not wanting to add another half mile to my effort. Beside it was a steep climb back up to the trail. Most of the wildflowers are now gone, but the Mountain Laurel is still found along the trail. I am beginning to see the budding of the blackberry and blueberry bushes. Late July and August will be a fun time to be on the trail and a feast on berries.   A mile past Rocky Row Shelter, I came to the Reno Monument. This is a monument for General Reno who was killed on this spot during the Civil War. This whole area is filled with all kinds of memorials, monuments and historical markers describing the Civil War.Towards the end of my hike I came to the Dahlgren Backpackers Campground. The campground is free to long distance hikers and comes complete with tent sites, hot showers, restrooms and a telephone for calling home. It is a welcome sight for tired feet and a chance for grubby hikers to clean up.Finished my hike with a visit to the Dahlgren Gothic Chapel.
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Turners Gap (US Alt 40)

To: Interstate 70 Footbridge on US 40.
Miles today: 4.9

Hike 09-56-MD (Turners Gap to Interstate 70 Footbridge)Day Hike, 4.9 Miles, Northbound.Weather: Sunny with forecast of showers in PM.This was a short bonus hike that I did not expect to do until our return from Maine. However, since the day was so beautiful, Judy encouraged me to "take a hike." As it turned out, she dropped me off and then went to our pick up point and started hiking back towards me.Even though this hike was short, it was most interesting. The terrain was like a mini roller coaster with most climbs and descents only about two to three hundred feet in elevation change and very gradual. Hiking in the early morning is such a delight, especially after a good rain storm. Yes, the trail is muddy, but the aroma from the forest and the singing birds is refreshing.      As this area is rich with monuments, this hike was no exception. Mid way on my hike I came to the Washington Monument. This monument was erected long before the famous Washington Monument in Washington DC. It was built in 1827 by the local citizens to honor George Washington. There are interior stairs that lead up to the top of the monument tower for a wide vista of the valley to the south.Continued on my mini roller coaster to my pick up point after crossing Interstate 70 on a footbridge over the busy traffic. Judy met me about half way on the hike and we enjoyed the return. At this point I am about 18 miles from the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line. Two more day hikes will get me to the state line. After this hike, we will take some time off and go back to South Carolina to visit our daughter's family. Always fun to see our grandkids. After our visit I will try to get enough time to reach the Pennsylvania state line before heading north to Maine for my southbound trek after Mt Katahdin.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Interstate 70 Footbridge on US 40.

To: Foxville Road (MD 77)
Miles today: 9.8

Hike 09-57-MD (Interstate 70 Footbridge on US 40 to Foxville Road (MD 77).Day Hike, 9.8 Miles, Northbound.Weather: Sunny, cool in the morning; warm in the afternoon.We returned from our visit to the Charlotte, NC area where we stayed with our grandkids while their parents went to California for a wedding. I went to a four day Webelos Camp with my grandson, lot of fun, lot of insect bites, and lot of great memories.With hot weather forecast for the day, I started out early to get the cool part of the day for my hike. Although this hike was an easy trek, it was still warn towards the end. The elevation profile for today was mostly gentle rolling ridges and only a couple of good ascents and descents. Stayed in a mostly open forest floor with a high rocky ridge on my right and the forest floor to my left. I did not see any wildlife other than little critters running around and up trees. There were a lot of ferns among with tall hickory and oak trees. The wildflowers are no longer in bloom. Birds still sing to me as I walk along the trail. AT followed an old logging road most of the time, except for a two mile section of very rocky trail. The trail is well marked with the AT white blazes and turns are indicated with the standard double blazes.Had a nice view from Annapolis Rocks. Nice campsites with a stream nearby and a privy. It would have been a nice place to spend the night and check out the lights in the valley below the rocks. Rock outcropping provide the best views and some great rest stops. It is not unusual to stop at a rock outcropping and find other hikers taking a break or even a short nap. I am now being passed by younger northbound Thur-Hikers, most of whom started their adventure back at Springer Mountain in Georgia around mid March. They are now past the half way point of the Appalachian Trail. That will put them at Katahdin, the northern end of the AT around September. I am amazed at the number of retired solo women hikers on the trail. The AT is a very safe place to hike and everyone looks out for each other.