morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-17
From: Crescent Lookout Parking area

To: Beahms Gap 
Miles today: 15.4

Today started out pleasantly cool and ended up hot and very humid. Hiked from Crescent Lookout to Beahms Gap for a distance of 15.4 miles.Saw alot of people on the hike today ; it was Sunday and Fathers Day, so there were many hikers out and about.We hiked to the top of a mountain where there were people rappelling down the rocks and I took some pictures of the ropes there. Fantastic views from the top.Saw a mama bear with 2 cubs close to the road as we driving to the end of Skyline Drive on the way to Front Royal.  I took some great video and Els did some screen shots of the video to post. Those bear cubs were awfully cute.  Els met us at the end of the day and hiked back with us again for the final 3 miles of the day. Went out to eat at Popeyes where we enjoyed some fish, chicken and ended the meal with frozen custard.Happy trails !
Date: 2018-06-18
From: Beahms Gap 

To: Jenkins Gap 
Miles today: 17.1

Today was the hottest day yet at 86 degrees but with humidity so high it felt like 110 degrees all day.Hiked for 17+ miles and fortunately for us the climbs and descents were not too severe.Saw a young bear early on and when Els joined us 3 miles up the trail she told us she saw a large black bear as well. Pictures in photo album on this journal.We got back into town in Front Royal where we stopped at Walmart, I got a haircut at Great Clips for only $9.99 and so did Commander.  The other trail hikers will be surprised when they see us tomorrow with shorter hair and trimmed beards.Ate at the Cracker Barrel restaurant with Commander and Brenda.Another hot day in the forecast for tomorrow and 60 % change chance of rain.
Date: 2018-06-19
From: Jenkins Gap 

To: Manassas Gap at VA Hwy 55 trailhead parking area 
Miles today: 16.4

Another blazing hot day with high humidity. The hike included exiting out of Shenandoah National Park and on North towards Harper's Ferry.  This afternoon it rained hard for a few minutes which felt wonderfully  refreshing considering we were climbing mountains at temperatures in the 90 's with humidity probably in the 90 's as well. The hikes uphill had pretty much heated up our body temps and sweat levels at maximum.Didn't see any particular wildlife today other than alot of Gnats at the start in the morning. By afternoon no problem with gnats any more.Els hiked with me and / towards us from Hwy 225 until the end of our day  for about 12.6 miles of the day.Tomorrow she will hike with us all day.Saw a very nice shelter ( Molly and Jim Denton) with solar shower and a privy which had toilet paper, a mailbox which contained several rolls of the and a bottle of hand sanitizer. It was an unexpected surprise.  We ate our lunches there and stopped at the  stream to filter some more water. Ended today's hike at Manassas Gap along Hwy 55. Brenda picked Commander up and drove us to our car which was parked elsewhere. A good non eventful day.
Date: 2018-06-20
From: Manassas Gap at VA Hwy 55 trailhead parking area 

To: Hwy 50 and 17 at Ashby Gap 
Miles today: 12.4

Enjoyed nice hiking weather today, cooler than yesterday and only a brief 10 minute shower while hiking high up on the mountain.  The trail became muddy, slippery and greasy after the rain shower but everyone managed to stay upright, even on the downhills where we dodged alot of rocks sticking out of the mud.I didn't see any through hikers on the trail today, which is the first time that happened.We saw a box turtle on the trail and took pictures and a little video clip of it moving as well. Since it was hiking just a little slower than we did it was not too hard to pass him. Els hiked with us all day today and Brenda (Blonde Lady) as welll as Floyd (RV) met us at the pickup point on Hwy 50 and 17 at Ashby Gap.
Date: 2018-06-22
From: Snickers Gap 

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 7.3

A shorter day then expected due to heavy rains today. One of Commanders' friends from the Naval Academy joined us on the hike today and hurt his knee,  so we stopped at the Blackburn AT center instead of Key Gap where we had intended to hike to. The rain was so heavy it felt like hiking in a river and condtions were worse then ever.  We were surprised to see as many as 15 other hikers on the trail today.  Saw a deer and her little fawn along the road after Brenda and Els met us at Blackburn AT center on the Appalachian Trail road on our way back to Hagerstown tonight. I saw some amazingly beautiful mushrooms type called Indian Pipe of which I took a picture which shows a good example of this type of fungus.  It reminds me of angels with wings, and they are very delicate little flower like mushrooms.Photo hereby shows the trail condtions today !! Total miles today were only 7.3 so will be hiking 13 miles to reach Harpers Ferry, which is the un-official half way point.  (Not mileage wise but it is the ATC. ( Trail Conservancy Center)  They officially record thru hikers names, take all thru hikers photo's and record your achievement thus far.Happy Trails even in the rain !
Date: 2018-06-23
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 13.0

Busy hiking day with startup at Blackburn Ctr and Hostel, through rain and thunderstorms to Harpers Ferry. Hocking was relatively easy as far as the terrain but the rain made the trail into rivers and streams thru which we were slogging along and within a few steps were drenched and with at least a  half inch of water mixed with mud in our shoes.In Har Ferry I stopped at the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy Ctr) where all thru hikers can get their picture taken and published. We met up with Wander Woman and RV there as well as Brenda and Commander's friends Howard and Maureen.Visited with them awhile, then Wander Woman and RV went out with friends.Wander Woman is planning to do the entire Maryland section of the trail (40 miles) in one continuous stretch. She plans to start hiking at 1 am and reach Pennsylvania by mid day. There she plans to take a few days off.We wished her good luck and we'll see her later on again.The rest of us all went out to eat at a great Italian place in Harpers Ferry.The sun finally came out on the afternoon again.
Date: 2018-06-24
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Turners Gap 
Miles today: 17.4

Today I walked out of West Virginia into the next state, Maryland.Finally enjoyed a nice weather day for a 17 mile hike today ; started at Harpers Ferry, crossed the bridge over the Potomac River at the place where it joins  with the Shenandoah River. The river is very fast moving, carrying with it broken pieces of trees and turbid as it churns up the bottom and looks like brownish water with lots of debris from the natural environment. No boating in this river, due to the very fast flowing water.I then followed a long stretch of the AT along the river before it turned across a road and back into the mountains. Did a 1000 foot ascent within a short distance then mostly hiked across the ridgetop with small ascents and descents the rest of the day.Els (Harriet) joined us for the first 3.5 miles from Harpers Ferry, then walked back to the car and hiked towards us again from Gapland Road at Gathland State Park where the AT crosses. She continued to hike with us the rest of the day to Turners Gap for a total of almost 17 miles.We saw memorial ruins dating back to the Civil War which we walked by. Took a short  lunch break there before von for the last 7 miles.
Date: 2018-06-25
From: Turners Gap 

To: Raven Rock 
Miles today: 17.5

Hiked with Commander and Els from Turners' Gap to Raven Rock today. The weather was pleasant, no rain and cool temps.Early on in today's hike we came by Washington Monument where we stopped and climbed up on the tower and enjoyed the views. From the top of this tower you can see 3 states, including Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. There were some ascents and some very rocky sections which were harder to negotiate but from what we hear from other hikers the rocks in Pennsylvania are going to be much worse, more of them and with little or no place to find a level place in between them to put your feet.Did not see much wildlife today ; met several other hikers, including quite a few section hikers going southbound.We hiked through alot of woods and usual, as well as several pastures with cut hay, including a field where the trail ran through a lovely wild flower prairie.At the place where the trail went across a road near this prairie field, we were surprised to find a young man with a cooler for of cold drinks, waiting for hikers to come out of the woods and give them some trail magic.  He was a hiker himself who was taking a day off and spending time with an uncle nearby.We ended the day after another long descent and water crossing, where Brenda met us with her car and took us back to our car, before heading back to Hagerstown to our motel. Els and I ate a Subway and treated ourselves to ice cream at a Baskin and Robbins Ice-cream shop afterwards. Happy Trails !
Date: 2018-06-26
From: Raven Rock 

To: Rocky mountain road 
Miles today: 19.0

Today the hike started off with a steep climb right away which covered about  2 of the 19 miles left one more state behind us. The first part was also very rocky and difficult to navigate.  Els hiked in towards us from Pen Mar Road after dropping us off at Raven Rock road.  We met about 2 miles from Pen Mar Park.  We walked through the park and walked out of Maryland and into the state of Pennsylvania together. Took pictures at the Mason Dixie Line at Old Grove Park area to memorialize the milestone of the next state on our hike.  Els hiked a little further with us and then back to the car, she drove to Old Forge Park and hiked  in again towards us and met us when we were having lunch at Deer Lick Shelter, and back again with us to the car.From there we hiked on and Els drove to the end point of view hike today at Rocky mountain road and hiked in to meet us again for another 3 miles and back to the car. From there we drove back to town in Waynesboro PA where we are staying at the Days Inn.  Through hikers she meets on each of her hikes in towards us are smiling, confused and asking how on earth she got ahead of them after just having met them hiking the opposite direction earlier today.  When we hike northbound she hikes back and forth every chance she has while moving the car towards the end point.  In doing so she sees the sections she hikes back and forth seeing them twice.  After we got back to town we showered, did daily hiker chores including laundry and went out to eat and plan the day tomorrow.Ate a great hamburger at the Waynesburg er restaurant.
Date: 2018-06-27
From: Rocky mountain road 

To: Shippensburg Road 
Miles today: 15.9

Great day hiking with Harriet (Els) and Commander.  Our day started out with some pretty big rocky climbs some of which were refrigerator and dishwasher sized and others almost barn size. After some steep ascents and descents the trail was relatively level with milder ups and downs until another steep climb after we passed Caledonia State Park.  We also came by the nicest shelter we have seen so far anywhere, with several sleeping areas, clean and newly painted, a porch swing, flower pots with blooming flowers in them, and in the area with table and bench were books, magazines, a game and a small Bible.There were even wooden pegs along the frame to hang things on.This shelter appeared to be the Holiday Inn as far as shelters go.We came by another shelter further down which also was nice and had a pretty new looking privy.Hiked on until we reached Shippensburg Road where Brenda picked us up and took us back to the car.
Date: 2018-06-28
From: Shippensburg Road 

To: AT Museum and Pine Grove Furnace state park 
Miles today: 9.0

Today only hiked 9 miles with Commander, since I needed to drive back for graduation celebrations for 2 of our grandsons.Els hiked in with us for about 3 miles then back, and met us at the AT Museum where we did a little museum tour, then left to start our drive back to Wisconsin.  Plan is to fly back on Sunday morning to continue my hike northwards.
Date: 2018-07-01
From: Pine Grove Furnace State park 

To: Tagg Run creek campsite 
Miles today: 8.0

Flew back from Madison WI Airport via Detroit MI to Harrisburg PA to continue my journey today. Els (Harriet) drove me to the airport early this morning and it was great to only have 1 thing to carry, namely my backpack.When Els joins me she will bring other supplies in our camper van and we will continue hiking and camping.  I was happily surprised to see Commander there with his brother- in -law, to pick me up at the airport and take me back to the trail.  I felt very appreciative of their efforts to drive out to the airport and bring me back so I can continue hiking and try to catch up with them. After eating a big hamburger at the store by the state park near the AT Museum and calling Harriet to let her know I am back on the trail, I hiked 8 or 9 miles and found a campsite near the trail at Tagg Run creek,  where I set up my tent.  I was the only camper at this site and I did not see any other hikers the rest of the day.  Miles reached is 1110.7.
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Tagg Run creek and multiple other places after 

To: Kittatinny Visitor center 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started hiking this morning after my first night camping and happy to be back on the trail heading to Mt Khatadin. Ate some oatmeal and filtered more water, packed my backpack up and on my way I went. Wander Woman caught up with me during the day today as well and we hope to join with Commander again tomorrow. The next two weeks took me through most of Pennsylvania, over lots and lots of rocks, through some very hot and humid weather and I survived another run in with a tree.We are now entering into the state of New Jersey and have reached over 1300 miles.
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Kittatinny Visitor center 

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road 
Miles today: 16.5

Today's hike started off at Kittatinny Visitor center parking lot and the first section immediately involved a steep climb of over 1000 feet over an area of about 4-5 miles. The rest of the trail continues to be quite rocky and I am looking forward to seeing less rocks on the trail any day now. I have now completed over 1300 miles of the AT! Saw several nice views along the mountain tops but no bears. Several other hikers commented on having seen a bear but we didn't see one until we were close to the campground, as it was ambling along in a clearing below the power lines, as we could see from the road.Towards the end of the hike today Harriet (Els) met us on the trail.We stayed at Camp Taylor campground which is associated with the Lakota Wolf Reserve. After a meal I walked another mile or so to reach the wolf enclosure where I saw 3 or 4 wolves checking me out. Harriet wasn't feeling well and couldn't join me unfortunately. Happy hiking!
Date: 2018-07-15
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road 

To: Sunrise Mountain overlook 
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I started my hike with overcast and cool conditions but by noon the sun was back and so was the heat and humidity.Wildlife encounter of today involved  a porcupine about an hour or so after we started. I saw Boomerang up ahead who was taking a picture of it before it climbed up a tree. I  got a pretty good close up of him in the tree. Learned that Porcupines can climb trees through this and none of us got close enough to be hit by its painful quills.Saw a few nice Vistas and passed the Culver Fire Tower. The tower was posted with no trespassing signs and used for active fire watches.We met Harriet on the trail as she walked in to meet us and Blonde Lady (Brenda) and RV at the end of the hike in the Pavillion on top of Sunrise Mountain with a beautiful 360 degree view while vultures  soared above us on the thermals in the blue skies.Had a great day hiking!
Date: 2018-07-16
From: Sunrise Mountain overlook 

To: Unionville Hwy 284 
Miles today: 17.5

Starting off from Sunrise Mountain Overlook we hiked through another 8 or 9 miles of rocky terrain before there finally appeared less rocky trail ahead of us. At that point we were also able to make better time overall and reached Unionville Hwy 284 where we were all three picked up by our respective spouses!Today's hike went through woods, open fields as well as some hayfields and prairies and through High Point State park where Harriet reserved our campsite for tonight.  High point state park is named appropriately as it is the highest point in New Jersey.We signed our names in the registry at the States park office and continued on the hike to Unionville.  After Harriet picked me up at Unionville Road 284 we drove back to High Point state park which was about 20 minutes away. Enjoyed using the excellent shower facilities across the road from the campsites, as this state park is divided by Hwy 23 which runs right through it. There was a lake where families came to swim at the end of a hot very humid day and take showers afterwards. We also saw several hikers at the statepark who enjoyed refreshing showers and a swim. Ate a meal consisting of big salad with nuts, corn on the Cobb, crackers and cheese and fresh fruit afterwards. A pretty great meal from our camper kitchen ! Ready for another hot day hiking tomorrow with chance an 80% of thunderstorms.
Date: 2018-07-18
From: Warwick turnpike near Warwick NJ 

To: West Mombasha Road 
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: mist

What a difference one day makes, since today's hike involved alot more sudden ups and downs and also more rocks again, including a section where we had to scramble and climb hand over hand.Some descent Vistas and Harriet hiked alot with us the first and last part of today's hike.We went over some board walks again, as well as a beautiful pond and through a lot of woods towards the end.Right at the point of the New Jersey / New York border which was at about 4 miles into the hike, we met a hiker called Rockhopper and her dog Daisy. Rockhopper is supporting her friend Root 66 about the same way as Harriet supports me with driving the van to a pick up point at the end of the day and takes him to a campground for the night.Harriet hiked back with Rockhopper towards her truck, since she was just hiking back from where she turned around after hiking part of the way in with Root 66, just as Harriet usually does. Saw another red eft salamander today and a black snake and in the last few miles met Harriet again as she hiked towards us from the end point.We stayed at Bear Lake campground which is part of Harriman state park.
Date: 2018-07-19
From: West Mombasha Road 

To: Pallisades Interstate Road
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike included some highlights included going through the lemon squeeze and being able to see the NYcity Skyline from the top of the mountain towards the end of today's hike.The series of closely positioned boulders and rocks with a narrow passage in between through which we had to hike.  This would be harder for the hikers carrying big packs but we found it hard enough with just our day packs. The thrill of seeing the NY City Skyline was worth the big climbs!
Date: 2018-07-20
From: Pallisades Interstate Road

To: Franciscan Way at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I conquered Bear Mountain, and reached some milestones including the 1400 mile mark on the AT , summitted on top of Bear Mountain with fantastic views of NY state, a hazy very distant view of the New York city Skyline, followed the AT through a small roadside zoo, crossed the Hudson River via the Bear Mountain Bridge with views of Bear Mountain to the west and beautiful views of the river left and right.Harriet joined us on top of the Mountain at the tower having hiked in about 4 miles from across the river and hiked on with us down the mountain, through the zoo and across the bridge again.  Thus she hikes every section twice! The trail led us right thru the little zoo where the bear area seemed to be the biggest attraction.  One bear slept in a hammock. The hike across the 1/2 mile long bridge was another milestone and thrilling.We climbed 2 more ascents and passed by a small Deli / gas station where hikers like to buy meals and even Appalachian pizza.After finishing our day at Franciscan Way we learned we were able to stay in the parking lot in our little camper van, could use the privies by the baseball diamond and have showers there as well.  Even though it was a cold shower we felt refreshed.  Ate a meal including sausage and mashed potatoes cooked in a van by Harriet and did our usual hiker chores before settling in for the evening.A great hiking day all in all.
Date: 2018-07-21
From: Franciscan Way at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center 

To: Taconic State Parkway 
Miles today: 19.2

After starting our hike from Franciscan Way the trail had slight ups and downs with some steeper and more rocky areas but overall nice.Met quite a few day hikers with their dogs along the way and I have made it a tradition to take a picture of everyone hiking with their dog.Hiked along Canopus lake which has a beach as well.On top of Shenandoah Mountain someone had painted the American Flag in memory of 9/11.Els (Harriet)hiked in and met us about 3.5 miles in from the pick up spot and then hiked back with us.Stayed at the parking lot of a Walmart in Fishkill NY after eating at a great Chinese  buffet.Rain expected tonight so many hikers were looking for shelters, glad to be able to stay in our van tonight.
Date: 2018-07-22
From: Taconic State Parkway 

To: West Dover Road 
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We started off at Taconic Hwy in misty weather but overall fairly dry hiking conditions today.Came across quite a few areas with uprooted and downed trees causing diversions along the way, possibly due to straight line winds in the last few days.We did not have too many big ascends or descents and enjoyed a nice section along a lake where some Canadian geese adorned the view.Harriet hiked in from the endpoint to meet us and we hiked on together for the remaining miles.At the Dover Road intersection was the largest Oak tree of the Appalachian Trail, appropriately named the Dover Oak.See picture.Tomorrow we are all planning a zero day due to bad weather forecast.Happy trails!
Date: 2018-07-23
To: West Dover Road 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great day off hiking the Appalachian Trail today due to bad weather forecast. Harriet and I drove into a nearby town called Poughkeepsie where we found a Fleet Feet sports shoe store and my 5 th pair of shoes since starting this hike in April!After this we walked across the world's longest footbridge over the Hudson River, about a 5 mile hike including the section of section leading to the bridge.It rained off and on but we had our umbrellas.After the walk we made it just in time to Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park NY for a guided tour and visited the grounds, including the presidential library and rose garden where both FDR and his wife Eleanor and 2 of their beloved dogs are buried.On the way home stopped for pizza and got back to the campground where we got things ready for a 20 mile hike the next day.