High Rock, Appalachian Trail

Crossing the Potomac River out of Harpers Ferry and stepping into Maryland felt almost too easy with its gentle path, giving me a false sense of security before the switchbacks began. Those steep, rocky climbs came quickly, but thankfully, they were short. I gained about 800ft (244m) in elevation as I pushed up to Weverton Cliffs, where the views of the Potomac winding around Harpers Ferry were delightful. 

Before I get too deep into the hike, let me tell you an interesting bit of AT trivia: the "four-state challenge". Hardcore hikers attempt to cover Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in a single 24-hour push. They start at the Virginia/West Virginia state line, cross into Maryland, hike through Maryland, and step into Pennsylvania long enough to complete the challenge. Altogether it's around 45mi (72km) of hiking. A worthy challenge if planned and timed correctly. 

As the trail led me into Gathland State Park, I enjoyed the relatively easier terrain. The park, named after George Alfred Townsend, or "GATH" as he signed his Civil War journalism, stretches like a narrow corridor, with the AT tracing the ridgeline. I passed the Edward B. Garvey Shelter, which one hiker described as the "Hilton of shelters" because it has two floors, a door, and even a window — pure luxury by trail standards! The shelter honours Ed Garvey, a former Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) president and author of Appalachian Hiker: Adventure of a Lifetime (1971), which helped popularise thru-hiking the AT.

Further along, I came across the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, a striking and rare monument dedicated to war correspondents. Built in 1896, it's one of only a few such memorials and stands as a reminder of those who risked their lives to bring news from the front lines. 

The terrain remained mostly gentle but gradually took me higher, leading me toward Lambs Knoll, one of the highest points in the area. As I topped near a communications tower, the climb added a few hundred feet but felt easier after the earlier switchbacks.

Passing a few Civil War monuments, I arrived at the Washington Monument, not to be confused with the one in D.C. This stone structure, built in 1827, was the first monument dedicated to George Washington, predating the more famous one in Washington, D.C., by about 20 years. Descending out of Gathland, I crossed the highway and began another climb, this time heading into South Mountain State Park. I paused at Annapolis Rocks to take in the sweeping view of the Cumberland Valley below.

From there, I descended briefly before making my final climb to High Rock. The ascent was steady but not too punishing, and the strangest part came at the very end — a set of concrete steps leading up to the cliff. High Rock itself was a bit surreal. Every inch of the rocky surface, including the stairs, was covered in layers of graffiti. The site was once a jumping platform for gliders until it was deemed unsafe, and is now no longer permitted. Despite the chaotic artwork underfoot, the view, as always, was breathtaking. The forest below gave way to green fields that seemed to roll endlessly toward the horizon. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

It's so good to see you here . . .