Weverton Cliffs

April 10, 2025

Crampton Gap shelter, mile 1037.1

Trail covered so far: 64.7 miles

Today, I pushed myself. People have been telling me that the next difficult ascent would be Weverton Cliffs, right as one comes out of Harper’s Ferry. And it was difficult. But it was also only a mile or so, strenuous but short. I met a young woman on trail, name of Firefly, who was hiking up to the cliffs as a day hike, but traveling overall from protest to protest, working to support activism against the current administration. We talked for a while and looked at the view; she gave me some trail mix, and we said our goodbyes.

My picture up close with the view didn’t come out, but maybe you get the idea from this one I accidentally took from further back.

Most everyone I’d talked to recommended I stay at the first shelter going north, Ed Garvey shelter, between 6 and 7 miles along.

Ed Garvey shelter, first one northbound in MD. It had some cool historical info and some lovely personal touches.

But I hit Ed Garvey at round 12:30, and I still had energy. For the first time, I ate lunch and kept going to the next shelter: Crampton Gap. The last rise was a bit wearing, but I still made it to Gathland State Park by midafternoon, and to the shelter by 4:30 or 5PM.

It’s been cool to have stretches of trail that go through landmarks and parks, etc., but it’s sometimes hard to figure out where the trail continues. I’m learning to look for blazes in unusual places.

Total miles were still under 10, but I felt good. We’re making progress.