As you hike northbound, approaching Harpers Ferry, you have two options: to the left is the actual AT that goes into Harpers Ferry, the ATC, etc. To the right is a blue-blazed trail that bypasses Harpers Ferry and takes you immediately across the Potomac River into Maryland.
Why do a number of thru-hikers opt to take the blue-blazed trail?
JAWS
had I known that the “hotel” was gonna put us over the kitchen, and have a stupid 3 pm check-in I would of by-passed H.F.
1\4 of the way
I would of gone to the next hostel then taken a zero day the next day and explored the town.
Ritchie Rich
No - there is no fording across the Potomac. There are two bridges that cross - one from Virginia to Maryland (a car bridge) and one from Harpers Ferry to Maryland (a train bridge). If you go the Harpers Ferry route you will also cross a bridge over the Shenandoah River.
JAWS
Bypassing to get to the Maryland hostel isn’t a bad idea - but to do any exploring or to catch the MARC or Amtrak trains to Wash DC, you would have to hike back into Harpers Ferry.
No - not the answer.
JAWS
The blue blazed Loudoun Heights trail was the AT before the AT got rerouted though Harpers Ferry and before the build the foot bridge across the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry. The AT used to cross the Potomac River on the Sandy Hook Auto Bridge.
Peaks
Congrats, Grizzly Adam. You nailed the answer.
In case anyone doesn’t know - the 4-state challenge is an attempt to go through four states in a 24-hour time period. That means Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. It’s something like 40 miles, isn’t it?
I don’t think it would be possible to do the challenge and also go through Harpers Ferry. Does anyone know if this has been done?
Grizzly Adam - I’d like to tell you the prize is a $50 gift certificate to REI. But if I told you that, I’d be lying. But I do have a Bic pen leftover from the last trivia quiz - if you want it.
JAWS
Just send him a box of Toast chee crackers and you’ll help supply him for at least a week on the trail. :lol
Cap’n
If you take the Loudoun Heights Trail don’t you miss West Virginia?
We met locals doing the 4 states challenge in 2003. I think they called it a “40 mile challenge” also. How long is the “3 states challenge”, if you miss West Virginia?
Ken
You are already walking through West Virginia along the ridgeline between Keys Gap (Highway 9 crossing) and the river. Your left foot is in West Virginia, and your right is in Virginia, hiking northbound.
JAWS
Mindi