Day 61 Halfway Hideaway Hostel to Rocky Run Shelter (16.4)

I got a late start to the day because I had to stop at the ATC in Harpers Ferry and it didn’t open till 9. I did a light resupply and laundry before heading over to the ATC. I got my picture taken there and was the 79th NOBO hiker. My starting number is 637 so I passed a lot of people on the trail. I finally started hiking around 10. I began by passing through Harpers Ferry. It was very cool to see all the history in the town. Then for the next four miles I hiked along the Shenandoah River and it was completely flat. I had a small climb after that but it was relatively flat for the rest of the day. I got some awesome trail magic in the afternoon. Pockets cooked up some burgers for hikers. Just before I made it to the shelter the sky opened up and it started to rain very hard. I was able to quickly get to the shelter so it wasn’t too bad. I watched the storm from the safety of the shelter and went to bed early. 

Day 62 Rocky Run Shelter to Raven Rock Shelter (20.8)

I woke up this morning and it was still raining. It was hard to leave the comfort of the shelter but I needed to get some miles in. I started off the day by passing the Washington Monument. It is a cool historical site. For the rest of the day nothing super eventful happened. The trail was very easy but the rain and rocks made it more difficult. The rain finally cleared up towards the end of the day and I got one good view. I reached the shelter around 5 and decided to stop because my feet were soaked. I had a relaxing evening and went to bed early again. 

Day 63 Raven Rock Shelter to Quarry Gap Shelter (25.5)

The first part of the day was very enjoyable. I hiked about 5 miles to Pen Mar Park where I charged my electronics and got a shuttle to Walmart. I resupplied and got subway to eat back at the park. After finishing the food, I started hiking again. I almost immediately crossed into Pennsylvania. From the border, the hiking was very easy and almost all flat. There were some rocky sections but they didn’t last too long. There was one good view at Chimney Rock. The view was actually very good. It was one of the best I have seen in a while. After Chimney Rock it started raining and it continued for the rest of the day. I just embraced it and kept pushing forward. Towards the end of the day I passed through Caledonia State Park. The shelter was just a few more miles after the state park. I was so glad to get there so I could get out of my wet clothes. The shelter was very nice and well maintained. I fell asleep to the sound of rain on the roof of the shelter. 

Day 64 Quarry Gap Shelter to James Fry Shelter (24.7)

The day started off early because I wanted to make it to the Pine Grove General Store before it closed at 2pm. I started hiking before the sun came up and everything was still damp from yesterday’s rain. In some sections the trail turned into a stream. My feet were soaked all day. The trail in PA has been very easy so far and all the forests are beautiful. The only downside is that there are no good views. Just before Pine Grove I hit the halfway point of the trail. It felt amazing to have so much of the trail done and also so much left. I was able to make it to the general store before it closed and I ordered a burger. It was amazing. I didn’t do the half gallon challenge because I am lactose intolerant. After leaving the store I had 7 easy miles left to the shelter. I got there around 5 and went to bed early. 

Day 65 James Fry Shelter to PA Route 850 (28.8) 

I really enjoyed today. It started off at 6:30. The first part of the day had the most elevation but it was still very easy. I really enjoyed the section by Rocky Ridge. There were a ton of cool rock features and rock scrambles. After Center Point Knob the trail was flat for the next 13 miles. I believe this is the flattest section of trail on the entire AT. Soon after walking through some fields I entered into the town of Boiling Springs. The town has a beautiful lake and a few good spots to get food. Henry and I got a pizza and ate it down by the lake. I left Boiling Springs and continued cruising on the flat trail. I ended the day with one small climb and then a descent back down into some fields. The fields were absolutely beautiful. I finally made it to PA Route 850 where I got picked up by Just Ken. He took us back to his place and I stayed there for the night. His wife Natalie cooked a great dinner. They also had a full resupply cabinet right at their house. They went above and beyond for me and didn’t charge me a dime. I’m so grateful for people like them. 

Day 66 PA Route 850 to Clark’s Valley Road (26.7)

Today started off with an amazing breakfast. Natalie cooked eggs and sausage. After eating she drove me and GQ back to the trail. I started off hiking in a field and quickly ascended up to a ridge line. The ridge line was very rocky. There were a couple of good views. I was up on the ridge for a couple of miles and then I descended down into the town of Duncannon. It was very cool to walk through the town. On the far end of town I crossed over the Susquehanna River on the side of a large highway. Once I was over the river I climbed back up to another ridge line . This one was also rocky but it wasn’t terrible. I walked on this ridge line for the rest of the day. There was almost no water up there so I was very happy to find a water cache. I descended down one more time to Clark’s Valley Road where Natalie was waiting to pick me up. She brought subs and cold drinks with her. I spent another relaxing night at her house. I am so grateful for her. She has really helped me push bigger miles this week.