Date: 2015-06-03
From: I-70 footbridge, US 40

To: High Rocks parking area
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Because I am currently slack packing to ease my way back onto the AT , I am limited to starting and ending points which can easily be found by car.I looked at AWOL's guide and determined that I had 3 choices from where I stopped on Tuesday, 6/2. (1) I could just hike about 3 miles from Washington Monument SP to the I-70 footbridge. Or (2) I could hike about 18 miles to the High Rock parking area. Or (3) I could skip the first 3 miles and hike about 15 miles from the I-70 footbridge to the High Rock parking area (and go back and hike the skipped 3 miles later in the week).I knew I was not yet up to 18 miles, even slack packing, in one day. Of course just 3 miles slack packing was not enough. So I chose option #3.A short blue blazed trail led from an easily found parking area along US 40 to the AT and the footbridge. I could see the sign placed on the fence enclosing the footbridge over I-70 to let drivers know the AT was crossing above their heads. How cool!!I was going north from that point, so I did not get to actually cross the footbridge - at least not yet. The day was cool and overcast, with a slight breeze and no rain. PERFECT for hiking.I stopped briefly at the Pine Knob shelter. It was nice, but not as nice as the other Maryland AT shelters I had seen so far.Initially the trail was beautiful - relatively level, with only slight changes in elevation and smooth, almost rockless, tread. I was making very good time. Then the number of rocks on the trail began to increase, and eventually the size of the rocks also increased. In some places there were so many jumbled large rocks covering the trail it did not even look like a trail. Those areas slowed my pace considerably.I did not take time to stop at Annapolis Rocks, but I did stop at Black Rock Cliffs, and I was glad I did. The view was beautiful.Just north of Pogo campsite the trail had fewer rocks, but instead had large areas of standing water, which may have been caused by the trail construction methods used. I could not tell if the logs across the trail were meant to create steps, or were supposed to be water bars to channel water off the trail. Whatever the intentions, the logs unfortunately only served to trap large puddles of water.I am not trying to be critical here. The trail clubs do a wonderful job maintaining the AT, and I greatly appreciate all their hard work. I have served as a Crew Leader for the American Hiking Society helping to build and maintain several trails, so I know what backbreaking work it can be.I stopped briefly at the Ensign Cowall shelter. Then headed on North to meet my husband, who was hiking in from the other end to meet me so we could hike out to the car together.At the open areas at the 2 powerline crossings I found beautiful flowers and berry bushes. Unfortunately I was too early for the berries. Instead I found only flowers or the early start of the berries. The stream at Warner Gap Hollow was easily crossed via a wooden footbridge.   But crossing Little Antietam creek, which was wider and deeper, with no bridge and scarce rocks, some of which were tippy, was more challenging. I used my hiking poles to test the rocks and for balance, and I managed to stay dry.Then the last climb for the day started. The total change in elevation was less than 1000 feet. There were several switchbacks and lovely stone steps which usually make such climbs easier. But because the climb came at the end of the day, after I had already hiked about 11 miles, it whipped my butt. Fortunately it was one of those climbs that yielded rewards. First there was a cascading water fall, then a formation of giant rocks surrounding a large open area.It looked as if it could start raining at any moment, it was getting late, and I was feeling very tired, so I skipped stopping at Raven Rock shelter. Before we reached the car, the AT took us over a stone wall built most likely before the Civil war. I also saw an owl. I did not get a very good look at it because of distance and fading light, but I think it was a barred owl. The owl silently flew across the trail in front of me, landed on a thin branch, and rotated his head to closely watch my every move as I made my way up the trail. It was a perfect way to end a day on the AT.Unfortunately what we found when we reached the parking area was a different story. Apparently High Rock is a popular place - at least based upon the spray painted graffity covering almost every inch of the giant rock and the stairs leading to the observation area on the rock. A nearby sign stated there was to be no painting on the rocks, but it had clearly been ignored. What a shame!The AT is calling. I just hope I did not over do it today. I am definitely feeling more tired than expected.