Date: 2014-05-22
From: Teahorse Hostel, Harper's Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke early, in plenty of time for breakfast at 7. I managed to consume two and a half waffles, OJ, and and two cups of coffee. My original plan had been to go to the national park and then leave for the Ed Garvey Shelter between 1 and 2. But I decided to head out earlier. I went back to the AT where I left it yesterday and this time looked more carefully at the signs at the former Storer College buildings. It was founded after the Civil War as a college for all races, but because of the legal situation (Jim Crow laws), all the students were black. It must have been quite a refuge. I also visited the museum about the college and the Niagara Movement, led by W.E.B. DuBois. It was the predecessor organization to the NAACP.I finally started across the bridge over the Potomac around 9:30. The footpath is next to a train track and probably replaces an old track. There is a newer railroad bridge close by. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet just beyond the bridge, and both were running hard. The bridge path goes down to the old C&O Canal towpath, which is a popular cycling route. The AT goes along the towpath for 2.6 miles. It was interesting to see the old, now crumbling and overgrown, canal sitting below the railroad tracks -- the canal's replacement. I had to wait for a long freight train to go by after leaving the towpath. The trail then climbs fairly steeply up to a side trail to Weverton Cliffs, where there are good views down to the Potomac River. I spent a bit over an hour up there, taking pictures, eating lunch and talking with Colorado, a young man who is just beginning a section hike from Harper's Ferry to New York. He is wisely planning to take it easy the first few days and will stop at the Ed Garvey Shelter.I made pretty good time getting to the shelter, where I had another PB&J tortilla and spent a little time with the shelter register. Socs wrote that Blaze left the trail in Harper's Ferry. Infinity stopped in on May 19. I hope to catch up to her eventually. Since the water source was a long hike downhill, I moved on, planning to get water at Gathland State Park. I made the 3.7 miles in an hour and 35 minutes. Not bad, but the trail was easy walking, with only three moderate climbs.Since the next shelter's water source was billed as "intermittent," I filled up at the park faucet. Good water. It was just .4 miles to the Crampton Gap Shelter trail, and the guide said the shelter was .3 to the east. About halfway down, I saw nice tent sites, with fire rings and benches, so I claimed one. I did find the spring, which was flowing, but I didn't go down to the shelter. Roadrunner came along and took a nearby site. Since I arrived a little after 5, it was nice not to feel rushed. I have a reservation in Fayetteville for Monday night, having planned a short day Monday. But now that I am further along, I think I'll change it to Sunday, so I can hike out Monday. My food box Lee mailed is already there, and my new shoes should arrive tomorrow. Weather report is good for the next few days, so I may as well keep going. I am hoping for an early start tomorrow.