AT Hike Across Maryland Part 4 of 4! Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry: A Mod. 10 mi

Appalachian Trail Section Hike Across Maryland (H.A.M.) (Part 4 of 4) Crampton’s Gap to Harpers Ferry! A Moderate 10.2-Mile Hike

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Get off your rear and get it in gear and join us for the final leg of our AT section hike across Maryland, otherwise known as the H.A.M.!

The 9.8-mile stretch of Appalachian Trail leading from Crampton's Gap to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is one of the most popular and rewarding AT day hikes in this region, with good reason. It features a secluded forest ridge-top an exhilarating vista pitching straight down into the Potomac River, and the historic Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath.

Crossing the Potomac from Maryland into West Virginia, we pass from the Northern states into the Southern, from the Union into the Confederacy, from one culture and climate into another. We will hike the trail from north to south, so the hiking is relatively easy with minimal climbing, however, do take note of the hikes distance.

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Gathland State Park was once the mountain home of George Alfred Townsend, a Civil War journalist. A large, stone monument dedicated to war correspondents is an outstanding attraction at this park and is right near the start of our hike. The Appalachian Trail where we will be hiking traverses the park and goes right past the base of this famous archway.

Maryland has a total of 37.5 miles of the AT hiking trail. The park includes all of Crampton's Gap, which was the southernmost gap fought over during the battle of South Mountain. Fought September 14, 1862, it was the first major battle of the Civil War fought in Maryland.

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Our Appalachian Trail (AT) Section Hike Across Maryland (H.A.M.) A Four-Part Series of AT Section Hikes!

H.A.M. Part 1 of 4: Pine Knob (I-70) to Wolfsville Rd.: A Moderate 8.3 Miles

H.A.M. Part 2 of 4: Wolfsville Rd. to Pen Mar Park: A Moderate 9.5 Miles

H.A.M. Part 3 of 4: Crampton Gap, Fox Gap, Turners Gap, and Old Washington Monument (I-70 - Crampton Gap): A Moderate 12.2 Miles

H.A.M. Part 4 of 4: Today's Hike — Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry (Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry): A Moderate 10.2 Miles

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Trail Information

Nearby City: Burkittsville, MD
Length: 10.2 total miles
Trail Type: Point-to-Point
Skill Level: Moderate due to the length of the hike
Natural History Features: South Mountain; Civil War Correspondents Memorial, Weverton Cliffs; Potomac River.
Social History Features: George Alfred Townsend's Gathland Estate; Crampton Gap Civil War Battlefield; Glenn R. Caveney plaque; C&O Canal; Goodloe Byron plaque and footbridge; and of course, Harpers Ferry.
Trailhead Elev: 900 feet
Top Elev: 1100 feet

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Park Fee
Please remember that park entrance fees support park programs and help keep our parks open for us all to continue to enjoy!
Vehicle Pass - $10.00 per vehicle. Admission pass is valid for three consecutive days, beginning on the date of purchase. Entrance passes are required in ALL park areas, and fees are payable at Cavalier Heights Entrance Station, Bolivar Heights, Maryland Heights, Harpers Ferry Train Station, and River Access Parking Lot. However, the NPS has informed me that if you have an NPS Interagency or a Harpers Ferry National Historical Park pass, parking is free.

Gear Suggestions
Click Here (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/gear-information.html) for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine. Click Here (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.32704700300047&lon=-77.66415880899967#.V3RLaVcRUw4) to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

Our RSVP and Group Etiquette
Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/RSVP_Rules_and_Etiquette/) to review our RSVP policies and group etiquette.

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Carpool Suggestions and Information

Note that you are responsible for knowing how to get from carpool locations to the venue. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is not responsible for transportation to and from events or carpools. Suggested carpool times and locations are provided as a courtesy because many members are either new to the area or unfamiliar with a particular hike or venues location. Please use the Comments section below, or reach out via e-mail to make arrangements for carpooling needs and offerings.

Baltimore Area Carpool Suggestion - Savage Station
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore area, people can arrange to meet at Savage Station. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Carpool_Directions_for_Savage_Station/) for directions and additional information regarding carpooling from the suggested Savage Station location.

Annapolis Area Carpool Suggestion - Starbucks
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area, people can arrange to meet at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Carpool%3A_Starbucks_at_Harbour_Center_in_Annapolis/)for directions and additional information regarding carpooling from the suggested Annapolis area carpool location.

DC Area Carpool Suggestion - Centreville
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, people can arrange to meet at the Centreville Park and Ride. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Directions_to_Centerville_Park_and_Ride_Carpool/) for directions and additional information regarding carpooling from the suggested Centreville Park and Ride location.

If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location and needs in the comment section below. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/Suggested_Carpool_Locations/?name=Suggested_Carpool_Locations) for a list of suggested carpool locations, each complete with a physical address, GPS coordinates, driving directions and additional carpool information. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment — by just offering a ride!

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Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/19876667/Directions:_AT_Parking:_Harpers_Ferry_Station/) to Where We Meet for This Hike

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 8:45-8:55 a.m.

The Hike is at 9:00 a.m.

Carpool Time from Savage Station — 7:30 a.m.

Carpool Time from Annapolis — 7:15 a.m.

Carpool Time from Centreville Park and Ride — 7:30 a.m.

Please remember we are a volunteer supported organization that values fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html)and Leave No Trace (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html) principles. Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who volunteer (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/9595722/How_To_Join_Our_Leadership_Team!/) as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. Hikes also have a volunteer “sweeper” to help ensure that no hiker is left behind. MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying the excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/). Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html) and donations ARE tax deductible (https://midatlantichikinggroup.networkforgood.com/projects/17107-fall-into-hiking-for-health). Tax ID: 47-5141831 (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html).

A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

Greg: 571.484.7499‬
Kevin: 703.856.5964‬

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