Into Maryland

6/24/15 - Beginning the second half

I left the hotel about 7:30 this morning feeling rather ambivalent about doing so. It wouldn't have taken much to get me to stay.  But, I'm out here to hike to Maine, so...

There wasn't a sign, but by crossing the rail bridge I entered Maryland, my sixth state so far.  The trail runs along between the Potomac River and an old canal for a few miles then begins to climb a ridge.  The elevation climb wasn't bad compared to previous areas but the cobbles were quite similar.  Still, I made my usual pace.  I passed Gathland State Park and went off trail to my lunch time shelter, only to realize that I should've lunched at the park, 0.4 miles previous.  I'd've had better accommodations and without an off trail detour.  Doh!

I was aiming for Rocky Run shelter, but got there so soon I decided to push on to Dahlgren Backpack Campground, a mile or so further.  Since there's no rain scheduled tonight, why not tent?

Looking at the weather, I need to be in a shelter by 5 tomorrow, and in a building Friday evening through Saturday night.  Some very severe storms are supposedly moving into this area.

6/25/15 - I called the hostel in Fayetteville after seeing a Facebook post by Beerman.  They can pick me up at PenMar Park, as they slackpack that far.  This is good,  as last night I slept very poorly.  There were some campers who stayed up partying until early morning, I heard them playing music at 1am!

I was supposed to go about 14 miles to Ensign Cowall shelter but I pressed on to Raven Rock shelter at 19 miles so that I'd have a short day tomorrow.  That way I can let the trail dry a bit and hike between storms.  The trail was tough today, lots of rocks and sections of mud.  At the end, I had to cross Little Antietam Creek, which was high enough I had to change into my Crocs to wade across.  Then a rocky 600ft climb to the shelter.  I made it before the rain started, and even got water and back before it more than misted.  So I'm dry, although my hiking clothes aren't.  They're damp from sweat and will be that way in the morning.  Bleh.

I called the hostel this evening (so nice to be close to towns that have cell service!) to let them know where I was at.  They told me to call and they'd be at PenMar park in 20 mins.  So I can listen to the rain tonight in a full, but dry shelter and leave when I'm ready in the morning.