Hike / 23 miles / 4,160 ft. ascent / 11 hours 21 minutes
Twelve of us met in Harpers Ferry at 8 am Sunday morning for a long hike south on the Appalachian Trail to Bear Chase brewery.
The crew!
Lexi backtracked into town to retrieve one of the group who missed the start, so we formed a sub-group at the back.
We were all keen as mustard setting off and set a good pace up Loudoun Heights (1 hour to the junction, including all the backtracking). From there we continued south along the A.T. past the Harpers Ferry park boundary, past the power line break, and onto Keys Gap.
Me and Jacob at the park boundaryOur group passing the power line break. From left to right, Joe, Lexi, and Mike.Me and Lexi on the boardwalk section right before Keys Gap
We stopped for lunch at the David Lesser shelter, probably an hour behind the lead group by now. We had hoped to catch up over the day, but we’d lost another half hour before Keys Gap searching for Mike’s phone (in his bag! 🤣).
Lunch break at the David Lesser shelter. From left to right: me, Jacob, and Joe.Leaving David Lesser shelter to continue heading southYours truly at one of the scenic overlooks just past the shelterMe and Lexi approaching the lookout near to Blackburn Trail Center (photo by Jacob)Lexi and me at the very windy lookout, by Blackburn Trail CenterSpring!Our group at the Blackburn Trail Center connector trail. We elected to skip a visit and keep going. From left to right: Lexi, Mike (back), me, Jacob, and John.
The big milestone in the second half of the walk was Raven Rocks, around the 18 mile mark. The trail starts to undulate again in the couple of miles before and I think everyone was starting to feel the effects of the previous 15 miles. I lent my poles to Lexi to help her manage a niggle in her knee.
Still smiling despite the achey jointsRaven Rocks lookout! So good every timeMe and Lexi at Raven RocksViews to the southMe and Lexi leaving Raven Rocks lookout (photo by Jacob)Crossing back into Virginia on the descent of Raven Rocks
Lexi opted to finish at Raven Rocks trailhead at mile 20, where she met our support crew and headed over to Bear Chase brewery in the car. I’ve stopped here twice before too, once on my own and once with Pete.
Me and Lexi at the Raven Rocks trailhead, mile 20.
Jacob and I wanted to walk the last few miles to a final lookout at Bear’s Den, before walking to the finish line at the brewery.
The evening light was beautiful for the final climb up to Bear’s Den. There was no one on the trail, but quite a lot of people at the lookout, since you can drive in from the other side.
Me on the ascent to Bear’s Den (Photo by Jacob)Jacob and me at Bear’s Den lookout
It was cold and windy at the lookout so we didn’t hang around. We were both pretty tired and eager to get to Bear Chase brewery for some food.
Stunning sunset from Bear’s Den lookout, although we didn’t stay to the end.Made it! Bear Chase brewery in the background.
What a day! This is a wonderful hike and it was fun to experience it with Lexi and friends.
Recap post of significant hikes this winter season. It was a great winter hiking season!
We had less snow this year overall than last year, but we had a period of very cold weather through January and February, so that I wore the traction spikes on most of my walks (compared to only once last year).
December was unseasonably mild, and there was no hint of winter. I did a ton of great hiking with Pete, mum, Dave, and Lexi, but all under normal conditions. So those hikes are not listed here. See Harpers Ferry Three Peaks and Harpers Ferry to Raven Rocks.
Here are the seven snowy mountain hikes from this season:
4 January 2022: First ascent of Loudoun Heights of 2022
8.08 miles / 1,798 ft. / 3 hrs 2 minutes
At last, some snow! Barely a dusting, but it was still great to see winter arrive at last.
I extended my usual walk by tagging the park boundary sign. It snowed during the walk, which is always a fun experience. As I walked home through town, I saw a car that had slid off the road into the fence and narrowly avoided dropping further down into the stream bed. Yikes!
Maryland Heights just visible stillThe Yaktrax spikes were helpful todayA snowy Appalachian TrailWashington Street looking pretty under fresh snow
The prolonged period of cold meant that none of the snow melted and where it was stamped down on the trails, it turned into inches of ice. Definitely a day for the traction spikes!
13 February 2022: Keys Gap return and Loudoun Heights
16.94 miles / 2,800 ft. / 6 hrs 57 minutes
A fantastic, long winter hike, the longest winter hike of this season. I’m counting this as 1 of my 12 challenge walks for 2022 (goal is to do 1 per month, 12 for the year. More on my goals for 2022).
Walking through a tunnel of whiteView from the power line break
The most scenic walk of this season. A surprise late season snowstorm dumped a few inches of heavy snow on Saturday. A cold night ensured it was still all there the next day. It coated everything. Stunning!
A winter wonderland!Maryland Heights with a fresh coat of snowLooking up the Potomac River to the confluence at Harpers Ferry
This is a long walk along the Appalachian Trail, from Harpers Ferry to Raven Rocks trailhead, passing Keys Gap along the way.
About half of the height gain occurs on the climb up Loudoun Heights on the way out of Harpers Ferry, then the rest of the walk is mostly flat along the ridge until it gets lumpy again near to Raven Rocks.
The lookout at Raven Rocks is outstanding!
I’ve done this walk once before, on my own earlier this year. This time it was fun to share the trail with Pete and show him one of our classic backyard hikes.
Pete and me at the power line break after climbing up Loudoun Heights on the way out of Harpers FerryPete on the boardwalk near to Keys GapOne of the numerous “blowdowns” along the AT that happen every winterMe and Pete at the David Lesser shelter for our lunch stopPete in the David Lesser shelterLooking west from the ridge line, into West VirginiaPete and me at another view (there are a handful along the route, otherwise you’re in the trees)Appalachian TrailI couldn’t resist climbing this boulder, the first bit of “climbing” I’ve done in years! 😉Walking past the white blazes on the AT (Pete’s photo)Raven Rocks lookoutLooking south from Raven Rocks to the ShenandoahMe and Pete at Raven Rocks lookoutJob done! At the trailhead where we met Lexi for a lift home.
There are three peaks that surround Harpers Ferry: Maryland Heights, Loudoun Heights, and Weverton Cliffs. Each is a solid 8 – 10 mile return hike from home. Walking all three in a single outing makes for a big day out.
I first walked this route in October (trip report here) but since Pete was now here, it was the natural challenge to try together too.
Pete came with me to drop the boys off at school that morning, so we didn’t get away until a little after 9.30am, which meant we would definitely be finishing in the dark given how long the walk is.
Peak 1: Weverton Cliffs
We chose to do Weverton Cliffs first, which is 3 miles along the canal towpath before you climb the mountain. Good section to chat together and catch up on 2 years’ of news.
At the junction where the AT turns away from the C&O canalPete near the top of Weverton CliffsView from the top of Weverton Cliffs, with Loudoun Heights on the L and Maryland Heights on the RBrothers on the summit
Peak 2: Maryland Heights and the Stone Fort Loop
We walked 3 miles back along the canal but instead of taking the regular route up Maryland Heights, we climbed up the eastern flank via the direct path (which I’d only descended once before on a Thanksgiving hike in 2019).
It’s a good climb and we had incredible weather for December. We were hot in t-shirts!
Pete climbing up Maryland HeightsMe, just below the main lookout of Maryland Heights, looking over Harpers FerryLooking NW upstream of the Potomac RiverMe traversing the blocks to reach the main lookoutTurkey vulture flying on the thermalsBrothers at Maryland Heights lookoutBrothers on the summit of the Stone Fort loop, with the Potomac River visible in the backgroundMe descending Maryland Heights in the waning lightTwo shadows walking along the C&O canal back into townThe ruined lockhouse at Harpers Ferry (Maryland side of the river)Another view of the ruined lockhouse with the cliffs of Maryland Heights aboveCrossing back into West Virginia, with the moon outBeautiful evening light as we walked back through town
We stopped back at the house to collect the camp stove, and more food and water, before setting off for Loudoun Heights, the third and final peak.
Peak 3: Loudoun Heights
We had about half an hour of daylight remaining as we set off for Loudoun Heights, which is a 3.5 hour walk, so we’d definitely be needing our headtorches.
Leaving town to head up Loudoun Heights, peak 3Photo of a photo at sunsetWe switched on the head torches when we crossed Chestnut Hill RoadPete at the boulder, very close to Loudoun Heights lookoutMe (red jacket) and Pete (black jacket) at Loudoun Heights lookout at night
We brought my MSR camp stove, hot dinners, and tea bags, so we enjoyed a veritable feast on the summit of Loudoun Heights!
Great fun and a real morale boost in the cold and dark night.
Pete cooking on the summit of Loudoun HeightsMountain dining: spaghetti bolognese!Head torches mandatory
Overall it was a tremendous day out. It’s a great walk, with a bit of everything: mountains, rivers, history, and mountain-town.
Seriously fun to do this with Pete and show him my local trails.
My next challenge with this walk is to do it under full winter conditions…
I’ve been feeling a little morose recently and I knew the best antidote would be a challenging day in the hills.
There are three peaks that surround Harpers Ferry, all within walking distance: Loudon Heights, Maryland Heights, and Weverton Cliffs.
Maryland Heights panorama
I’ve previously climbed two of them in a day – Maryland Heights and Loudon Heights – but all three in a day is an altogether more challenging prospect. It’s still small fry in the grand scheme of things, but a good challenge for me with current fitness levels and creaky knees.
It’s a 24 mile walk with over 4,000 ft ascent:
I left home at 6, wearing my head torch because it’s still dark that early at this time of year. Lower town is atmospheric and feels even more olde-world at this time in the morning, when it’s quiet and devoid of cars.
My route took me through lower town, over the pedestrian bridge, then up Maryland Heights as the first peak. I did the Stone Fort loop, which takes in the old civil war fortifications on top of the ridge, some 1,400 ft above the river.
I ditched the headtorch when dawn broke, as I ascended the steepest section of track, near the top.
It was misty on the summit, and no one else was around.
After a short break, I continued along the summit ridge, which is one of my favorite section’s of walk in the area. It’s especially enjoyable in inclement weather or wintry conditions, and today the swirling mist gave it an other worldly feel.
As I progressed along the ridge, the sun made an appearance, slowly burning off the mist and appearing out the cloud.
The dew was heavy on the ground, the leaves, and spiderwebs. Nature even does Halloween decorations better than we do.
Peak fall foliage is still a few weeks away but evidence of change was all around. Leaves are falling and starting to cover the ground. Mostly brown and yellow at the moment, but the reds, oranges, and purples are surely just around the corner. This shot was taken on the descent of the Stone Fort loop, on the way down Maryland Heights.
From the base Maryland Heights, it was four miles along the C&O canal to Weverton Cliffs, passing the abandoned canal lockhouse under Maryland Heights cliffs. I was yet to see another soul since leaving home.
Counter-intuitively, the flat, hard-packed surface of the canal was harder on my feet than climbing the mountains, so I was happy to reach the turn north on the A.T. to head up Weverton Cliffs. I’ve climbed it several times before (from home and with family) so I knew what was in store.
It’s a relatively short climb from the trail to the top of the ridge, but as I already had 10 miles in the bag I was feeling a little tired:
The views from the top of Weverton Cliffs are magnificent! You can see a much wider panorama than from the other two mountains. Weverton definitely has the best views.
Here, I’m looking down on the Potomac River and across to Short Hill Tract mountain:
This was peak number two in the bag! So far, so good.
I had a short break on the top of Weverton Cliffs to enjoy the view. I could still see the summit of Maryland Heights, enveloped in cloud, and also Loudon Heights, which I still had to reach.
The flat miles back along the canal to Harpers Ferry were tiring. My back ached but I was spurred on by the thoughts of coffee and bagel from Battlegrounds Cafe in town. Harpers Ferry was teeming with people by the time I reached lower town again, such a contrast to first thing in the morning.
The bagel and coffee were every bit as good as I hoped, and made for a thoroughly satisfying lunch break!
Lower town looked splendid as always:
Suitably replete, I walked through town on the A.T. with Lexi, before saying goodbye and heading up Loudon Heights, for a final showdown.
I crossed 340, over the Shenandoah River, having already walked 16.5 miles rather than the usual 1 mile if I was doing Loudon Heights from home. But I felt great and was excited to continue my hike.
The ascent was tiring, I’m not going to lie. I was weary, but happy. All I had to do was keep plodding up the hill, passing Split Rock on my way to the lookout.
The view from Loudon Heights lookout never disappoints and today the air was super clear, so I could see for miles. Lower town and the train bridge looked sharper than usual, as if they were in better focus than earlier in the summer when it was more hazy. I took a good break at the lookout to enjoy the view (and the rest!).
Loudon Heights lookout was the third peak in the bag!
Looking upriver to the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and enjoying a tasty apple.
Looking across the Potomac River to Maryland Heights, which I’d climbed early that morning.
Overall, it was a fantastic, long day out that gave me a solid challenge and a decent sense of accomplishment.
I find days like this make memories that last a lifetime, that nourish me for months, even years to come. I cherish these days because they’re so fulfilling, in a different way to other aspects of life.
Ben Collins Outdoors 