morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Allen Gap, NC

To: Tanyard Gap, NC
Miles today: 8.8

Another beautiful day in NC. Dan from Bluff Mountain Outfitters dropped me off at Allen Gap and I hiked back to Tanyard Gap. I met so many hikers that I can't keep track. Joker, Ironman and many, many others. I found the hiking to be quite easy and not very strenous. I guess doing Georgia first prepared me for the other sections that I have hiked. And the good old elliptical machine.I had a great time last night. Three thru hikers from 2007 - the famous Boo-Boo - who has a great journal on this site - Blue Yonder and Bonnie just completed a section hike south from Erwin. They were staying at the downstairs unit at Fowler's Bend. I was upstairs in the Bird's Nest. A very nice place and owned by the folks that own the Mountain Magnolia Inn. Sunny, who works for the MMI, met these guys when hiking in 2007. Sunny invited me down for a big feast. Steaks, potatoes, wine, beer, veges, dessert, and more and it just kept coming. Boo-Boo's husband, plus a friend of Sunny's also joined in. They kept trying to convince me to go 'take a tub' at the Hot Springs hot springs but I needed to conserve my energy for hiking! So my big toes are killing me - not sure what its all about but will reevaluate tomorrow after I hike with my full pack. 'Til later
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Allen Gap, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I strapped on my pack. Three days of food, 3 liters of water and I was at 27 pounds - 9 pounds less than a year ago. It's amazing the difference changing gear can make. You also learn what you can do without and how much food and water you really need. Many hikers carry too much of both. Dan dropped me off at Allen Gap and I headed up the mountain. Again, not too bad in terms of level of difficulty. I made it to the shelter in 3 hours - my average is around 1.75 miles an hour - and doesn't seem to vary with or without my pack. It was a nasty day - cold, blowing rain and the shelter left a little to be desired. I met two thru hikers there and they were trying to decide whether to stay or hike on for another two miles. They invited me to come along and stay with them but I was not too keen on camping in the rain my first night out. I was also very cold - not sure why but it concerned me. I stood in the middle of the trail for 15 minutes trying to decide what to do. I finally turned around and hiked back down to the Hemlock Hollow Inn. Nice folks there also. They shuttled me back into Hot Springs and I stayed another night in the Bird's Nest. By morning, both big toes were throbbing. Either I'm a big wuss or I have very cantankerous feet. At least I have officially solved the blister issue from last year - and my arches didn't hurt - but my bit toes are very sore - so - I'm back in FL.I'll try to convince my husband to drop me off for some day hikes around Hot Springs as we are driving back to MA at the end of May. I also want to do two days in Maryland so I can finish that up before we get home. Maybe I am only cut out to be a three-day hiker - seems my feet don't want to cooperate after that. I'll continue to chip away at the miles as I can.'Til later
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Naples FL

To: Naples FL
Miles today: 0.0

Will be flying into BWI on Monday - plan on day hikes from Gathland State Park MD north for a week or so. Cougar Bait will meet me in PA after Memorial Day. I will have a rental car and will be doubling-up each day unless one of my friends comes through and can shuttle me around a bit. If anyone is going to be in that area with a car, let me know. I hate having to go in and out on the same trail but will do whatever I can to get more miles in. Would love to have 10% of the Trail done by June 1 - and maybe another 10% this summer in New England with a friend of mine. I may also do some Trail Magic if I get my planned miles in each day. For those thrus who started in Feb/early March - follow my TJ just in case I can help in any way.'Til later
Date: 2009-05-18
From: I 70 Footbridge/US 40 MD

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Started my Maryland/southern PA hike today. Since I have a rental car and have to hike in and out on the same trail, I am actually hiking 2 times the listed mileage. Did not see any thru hikers but I did see 5 day hikers. I didn't start until 3:15 - by the time my flight landed and I got the rental car and drove the hour to the trail, it was already late. I plan on getting a 7am start tomorrow and hope to hike 11.8 - which means 5.9 trail miles. 'Til later
Date: 2009-05-19
From: I 70 Footbridge/US 40

To: Reno Mounment Road, MD
Miles today: 5.9

Parked in the same place as yesterday and hit the trail at 8am. Beautiful weather - 60's/low 70's and not a cloud in the sky. Hiked south today and the trail was much nicer. Very easy also. I saw a deer deep in the woods - but only its rear as it ran away from me. A few chipmunks and a bird or two but that's it. I saw several hikers - a group of thru guys who were stopped for lunch. I also saw a group of 6th graders with the class parents huffing their way up the hill at the Washington Mounment Park. Also a tour of some kind at both the Washington Monument Park and at the monument at Reno Road. They must do historical tours of the landmarks in western Maryland. I tried to listen in but it was too much detail for me. I really enjoyed today's hike - several road crossings, many historical markers - I prefer to have the diversions along the way. I walked 11.8 miles today and my feet are feeling it. I plan on another long day tomorrow but I may only do 6 and see how my feet feel.'Til Later
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Crampton Gap, Gathland State Park, MD

To: Lamb's Knoll MD
Miles today: 3.8

Started at Gathland State Park and hiked North - turned around at Lamb's Knoll and hiked back to the Park. Ran into many section hikers and three thru hikers. Another great day. The trail was easy but rocky in spots. I chatted with the three thru hikers, who were taking a break at the Park. Two women walked up and were asking questions - "are you hiking the Allegheny Trail" one said - another said that the Maryland State Parks were not opening until Memorial Day due to budget cuts. That would explain why the soda machines at both Gathland and Washington Monument Park were unplugged. Nothing worse for a hot hiker than to see the bright, shiny vending machine and then to get to it and find that it is not working. May be victims of the budget cuts! Did a total of 7.6 miles today - I just can't figure out the feet! I hiked for three days in Hot Springs, did more miles and had no blisters. I have hiked for three days in Maryland and have three blisters - one on the side of my big toe on the left foot, another on the bottom of my little toe on my left foot and a possible one forming on the right foot. The toe blisters sure don't hurt as much as the heal blisters but I still need to keep a watch on them. I was sore this am but once I started hiking, the soreness went away. Seems like I get warmed up in 3 days. I plan on a short day of 5.2 hiking miles - 2.6 trail miles tomorrow. If I am feeling good - I may do 3 more (1.5 trail miles) but I plan on a big mileage day on Friday so I don't want to push it. I keep hoping to run into someone with a car who is going the same way I am and who wants to move the cars around and hike with me. That way, I won't have to retrace my steps. Ran into two women going the other way today - would have been perfect if they were heading in my direction. Oh well. 'Til later
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Reno Mounment Road, MD

To: Lambs Knoll, MD
Miles today: 2.6

Hiked a shorter 5.2 miles today. My feet are a problem as they always are. A few blisters and general soreness in the toes. The rest of me is just fine - in fact, I'm not sore at all. I plan on soaking them in ice water tonight. Another beautiful day. Ran across a handful of thru hikers. No section hikers - which was surprising considering the weather. The Trail was very rocky and not that pleasant a walk. I am hoping tomorrow is better - the elevation maps show an almost flat trail and I plan on hiking just over 10 miles tomorrow. I'll be getting a very early start to beat the heat. I do my best hiking first thing in the am. I did see a very large black snake today - it slithered off the Trail about 5 feet in front of me. I took a picture - if you look closely, just to center right, you can make him out. I made sure I knew which end was the head before I got this close! The snake was about 5 feet long. I also took a picture of a really neat underside of a leaf. For all I know, its probably some fungus or other dreadful leaf disease - but I didn't care because it looked really cool. 'Til later
Date: 2009-05-22
From: MD 17, Wolfsville Road

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Tried to get an early start today since the forecast was for 90 degree weather. Maryland is the state of two trails - one nice and flat with pine needles the other rocky and annoying. Had a little of both today. I thought PA had the rocks but this has been surprising. I felt like I was a kid, walking over the jetties by the lighthouse in Scituate MA. That's how big the rocks were in several sections. At least I had some practice for it. I walked 10.8 miles today - my mileage was a bit off the other day. I walked to the point where I had walked north to on Monday. Found my pink ribbon that I tied around a tree trunk so I would know where to turn around. I actually walked 11 miles because I had to walk .1 back and forth on a trail to get to the parking area. The Pogo Memorial Campsite looked nice - has a privy and a wonderful stream. I was tempted to soak my tootsies but I didn't want to waste time. It was somewhat buggy today but otherwise nice. I am pretty much getting use to the knats and there were mosquitos today for the first time. I ran into three thru hikers and five section hikers. I thought I would see more people since its a holiday weekend. Maybe tomorrow.'Til later
Date: 2009-05-23
From: MD 17 Wolfsville Road, Smithsburg MD

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 5.1

Hiked 10.2 miles - 10.4 if you include the trail to the parking lot. This was my toughest day this week. Many steep climbs and the rocks continue. This is the first day my feet have hurt. I may do a very short day tomorrow - possibly just .4 of a mile - and then finish PA with another 9.4 on Monday. Will decide in the am. Saw many, many hikers today. Mostly section hikers but a good number of thru hikers. Met the hiker named Lightning - she was coming off of a zero day at the Free State Hiker Hostel. She was feeling a little down - not sure of her plans to continue. As she said, after doing the zero, she "likes indoor living". Great quote. I think she needs some people to hike with - seems like her group was scattered. It was a hot one today - I had to slow down several times. Some very pretty farmland/meadow areas, followed by crappy rocks. I do have to say that Maryland has a varied terrain. Thanks to the two section hikers who took my picture. I look like a real trail nerd, with things hanging off of me. 'Til later
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Trail to High Rock
Miles today: 1.8

Actually did a short 5 mile hike today - back and forth, plus over a mile in and out to the car off of a blue-blaze trail - to Richie Road. Saw two groups of hikers - one group had two dogs - one was very cute and had small bells on. Stopped and chatted with Plugger - he just started his flip-flop thru at Harpers Ferry, will go to Maine, then take public transportation back to Harpers Ferry and head south. He is a retired biology teacher and has been thinking about doing the hike for 10 years. Very nice man. I gave him the rest of my water, since he was out and I was almost done for the day. Tomorrow I will hike 6.4 miles, about half of that to finish Maryland. Cougar Bait left Florida today and will probably be here tomorrow night. I may finish Maryland and call it a day. I have one nasty looking blister - I will decide after I hike tomorrow.'Til later
Date: 2009-05-25
From: PenMar County Park Cascade MD

To: Trail to High Rock
Miles today: 3.2

Completed Maryland today - yippee! Hiked 6.4 miles, 3.2 trail miles since I had to go in and out. Humid morning - got an early start and was hiking by 7:20. The climb up to High Rock was difficult - but I knew it would be. I'm glad I saved what I thought was the most difficult climb in the state for my last day. Maryland was nice - the rocks were a surprise. If anyone is thinking of doing a section of Maryland, I would recommend north from the C&O Canal to Route 70. I thought that was the nicest section. I hiked for 8 straight days - a new record for me. I also hiked a total of 62 miles - almost 8 miles a day on average. Inventory is as follows: 1 blister on the side of my left foot, below the big toe; two bruised toenails - second toe on each foot - will most likely lose them so no pedicures for a while; a bruise on my tooshie and a scrape on my arm from falling on a slimy rock yesterday - but on a blue-blazed approach trail so I don't think it counts! But I did have a large audience. So I have not yet officially fallen on the trail. Overall, I'm pleased with my feet. I think I got the blister because I started hiking two hours after I got off the airplane and my feet were probably a little swollen. Will test my theory this summer if I hike Connecticut and Massachusetts. Not a drop of rain on my 8 days. It did rain this afternoon but I finished up this am. In addition to the rocks being a surprise, it's sad that the state and county parks all seem to be closed up. The guidebook says they open May 1 but due to the budget situation in Maryland (as a couple told me today - "Maryland is broke - almost as bad as California") they were all very quiet and the concession areas were not open. I thought PenMar would be open today since its Memorial Day. The park was open but not the concession stand. If any readers plan on hiking this summer and plan on eating or swimming at any state park, I would recommend that you call ahead. I think this is probably going on throughout the US. Onward to New Jersey in the am, then to Massachusetts later this week.'Til later
Date: 2009-07-12
From: PA 233 South Mountain PA

To: PenMar Park MD
Miles today: 13.1

Hiked 13.1 miles today - a personal best! I actually walked about 13.8 because I lost the trail at Swamp Rd. in MD. There was a reroute and the old blazes were still on the trees. I kept walking in, turning around when the muck got deep, walking back to Swamp Rd. and trying again. I finally heard the voices of other hikers going NOBO and went in that direction. Note to maintaining club - you need a sign pointing hikers to the entry point. I lost 30 minutes wandering around. I also had to rehike a portion of the trail near PenMar Park in MD to meet up with Cougar Bait - who slacked me today. We are driving from MA to Chicago and I am doing two days of hiking along the way. I love having a personal shuttle service.Nice day - was wet at first because it stormed like crazy last night. Once the leaves stopped dripping, it turned into a beautiful day. I passed a handful of day hikers and only one thru hiker. Its a little late for the thrus down here. Most are at least two weeks north by now. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hike this distance but once I got warmed up I was okay. PenMar Park was great - they have free music and dancing on Sundays in the summer. The place was packed and I have to say was pretty funny. Lots of very nice people who asked me about my hike. Lots of seniors dancing to New York, New York and other bad wedding music. But it was so beautiful out that it felt good. Cougar Bait showed up about 20 minutes after I did and we sat and watched the action and the scenery before heading back to Gettysburg for the night. Kudos to the trail maintainers. The trail was easy, beautifully maintained and the shelters were in great shape. Some of these shelters are older than the ones I saw in the Hot Springs NC area earlier this year and they were sooooo much nicer. The few near Hot Springs were gross and poorly maintained, with garbage under the shelters. I was especially taken with the Tumbling Run Shelters - one for snorers and one for non-snorers. Each with clotheslines. Check back for pictures - which I will upload when we get back to MA. Til later.....
Date: 2009-07-13
From: PA 233 South Mountain, PA

To: US 30 Caledonia State Park, PA
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked a short distance today so we could get an early start as we make our way to Chicago. Nice trail - great weather. Ran into a bunch of boy scouts hiking SOBO and the NOBO thru that I saw yesterday. Got to Caledonia and waited a few for Cougar Bait. Hadn't been in Caledonia since college - I attended college in Gettysburg, about 30 minutes east, and came out and stood on the trail a few times, telling my friends that I was going to hike it someday. 30 years later.........here I am and loving it. Had some trail magic just before Rt. 30 - a cooler with all kinds of neat stuff in it - and directions to a campsite in the park. They were serving up dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow and had full menus, directions, etc. They had a UHaul with them, carrying all of their trail magic stuff. What great people. When we were driving out of the park, I again ran into the thru hiker that I met yesterday (and walked with today for a while). He had already been to their campsite and he was heading north another 10 miles and they were going to drive and pick him up and bring him back for dinner. Wow - this trail really brings tears to my eyes sometimes.Til later.....
Date: 2009-08-14
From: Dennytown Road, NY

To: U.S. 9, N.Y. 403 Peekskill, NY
Miles today: 8.7

Hiked a short .8 miles yesterday with my 10 year old nephew at Bear Mountain State Park in NY. He was visiting for a few days and we met my mother, sister and my sister's two other kids for the 'exchange' so Andrew could go home. Trail maintainers were working on the side of the Mountain - not sure what they were doing. I could see the stairs going up the Mountain and I thought they completed this area last year but maybe they have had erosion problems due to the rain. Today's hike can be summed up in one word - BORING. Probably the most boring section I have hiked yet. It was humid - but not terribly hot - wet, not too difficult, no wildlife - not even a squirrel - no views and no other hikers. I was in the pocket between the NOBO's and SOBO's and didn't see a soul all day. I made good time and only hit serious mud just before the road at U.S. 9 and N.Y. 301. Cougar Bait was waiting for me at the gas station at the corner. The bugs were out in most areas and they will bite you on any exposed surface that is not covered by Deet. I have a mosquito bite IN MY EAR! My left ear is now 1.5 times the size of my right ear. I'll be home for a bit - and plan to do more of NY in September - when it cools off a bit and the bugs die down. 'Til later
Date: 2009-09-21
From: Bear Mountain

To: Seven Lakes Drive and Camp Smith Trail 
Miles today: 4.6

Dropped my mom off after spending a week with her on a Elderhostel trip. On the way back to MA, I stopped at Bear Mountain in NY to do some hiking. I parked by the Inn and first walked south to Seven Lakes Drive. On my way over Bear Mountain, I ran into the trail maintainers who are working on year 3 of a 7-year project to re-route the trail over the Mountain. They are building rock steps and hope to eliminate some or all of the road walking involved at the top of the Mountain. There were at least 12 volunteers. I also ran into a few day hikers. It was beautiful out - no foilage yet but still really nice. I stopped at Perkins Tower on top of the Mountain and walked up to the top to take advantage of the views. When I got back to Bear Mountain I had lunch - a great NY roast beef sandwich which for some reason I have never been able to find anywhere else - and then I walked through the Zoo and over the Bear Mountain Bridge. That made me a little scitzy - I really didn't linger much on the Bridge - just put my head down and walked fast! I made my way up towards Anthony's Nose after a nasty road walk (can't they put the Trail just off the road in the woods?)and turned around at the Camp Smith Trail to the Nose. The walk up was very hard - harder than Bear Mountain was. It was very vertical and probably the most vertical climb I have done since Georgia. I ran into three day hikers with their pit bull - one of the guys was holding onto the dog and said "she's really nice but gets excited" - oh yea. I didn't linger. I made my way back down and back to my car and back to MA. I walked about 10 miles today but only get credit for 4.6 since I had to hike these miles twice, plus some miles that I already hiked last year and this year. 'Til later
Date: 2009-10-02
From: Jug End Road

To: Housatonic River
Miles today: 5.4

Hiked 10.8 miles today over very easy trail. I went in and back so I only get 'credit' for 5.4 miles. Every little bit counts! I drove out to western MA early this am and started hiking at 9am. I was done at 2pm - which means I was moving at over 2mph - very fast for me. The trail was flat and very nice - a little swampy in areas - I can see how the mosquitos are a problem in the heat of the summer. Hikers refer to this section of the trail as Mosquito Alley. Even though it was swampy, there were very pretty areas of pine forests and farm fields. The leaves are turning and certain areas were beautiful. They will probably be peaking in a week. I ran into one day hiker and two SOBO thrus. I chatted with one of them - Big Bear - who stared in August and hopes to finish by Christmas. He is doing two 25 mile days back to back, followed by a 12 mile day - with a day off every once in a while to rest. I could never hike 25 miles in one day. I think my legs would fall off. I hope to get back out to the MA trail over the Columbus Day weekend with a friend of mine. He is trying to pull a group together and if nothing else, we will probably do three days with full packs, finishing on the summit of Mount Greylock. 'Til later
Date: 2009-10-11
From: Conn. 41 Salisbury

To: Undermountain Trail Riga Jct Conn.
Miles today: 5.1

I decided to hike Connecticut before we head south to FL. I can then add another state to my list and go over the 10% mark! I parked at the lot on CT 41 in Salisbury and hiked up the mountain. I turned around at the junction of the Undermountain Trail/Riga Junction and came back down. Many, many hikers out due to the beautiful weather and the holiday weekend. The hike itself was fairly unremarkable, not much to see. Tomorrow should be more interesting.'Til later