Appalachian Trail overnighter with the boys

Leave a reply

For his 9th birthday, Dominic asked to do a backpacking trip on the A.T. in lieu of a party.

We chose to hike from the Weverton Cliffs parking lot to the Ed Garvey shelter (about 3.5 miles) where we pitched our tent for the night. Even though the whole expedition lasted less than 24 hours, we had a fun time and made a core memory as a family. It was the right choice to keep the distance short; there was no complaining and no-one arrived at camp exhausted.

This is my second backpacking trip with the boys, in addition to a few bikepacking trips. I think it’s time for a longer trip now.

Here are a few photos from the weekend.

Day 1: Weverton Cliffs parking lot to Ed Garvey shelter (3.4 miles)

All smiles as we set off from Weverton Cliffs parking lot.
The side trail to the lookout at Weverton Cliffs is a worthy excursion. The view is fantastic.
At Weverton Cliffs lookout. The boys fairly race up the hills now, leaving Mom and Dad in the dust.
View over the Potomac River, with mountains L-R: Short Hill tract, Loudoun Heights, and Maryland Heights.
Owen doodled in his nature journal as we went.
Leaf rubbing in Owen’s journal.
An Eastern Box Turtle on the Appalachian Trail.
Our home for the night. A 15(?)-year old GoLite Shangri-La pyramid shelter.
Dinnertime at the Ed Garvey shelter.
The upturned tree became the boys’ basecamp.
Our tent with the Ed Garvey shelter in the background.

Day 2: Ed Garvey shelter to Weverton Cliffs parking lot (3.4 miles)

We awoke to a beautiful cloud inversion, glimpsed through the trees.
Gorgeous early morning light.
Ready for the off! We reversed our previous day’s route to return to the car.
Golden Trumpet mushrooms on a rotting log,

Comment