Harpers Ferry - 501 Shelter

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#1

I hope to hike from HF to 501 Shelter this summer. I prefer to hike NB, and have my vehicle available to me at 501 Shelter when I finish.

Two questions for all you great folks out there:

  1. Is there safe, reasonably secure parking at the shelter or near-by?

  2. Is there any public transportation which will get me from 501 to HF at the start of the hike so I can leave my vehicle?

I’ve looked through the shuttles posted on ATC site, some may be workable, but wondered if anyone knew of another alternative. Cheap & efficient?

Looking for suggestions, Thanks

Lyle

#2

I remember a parking lot near by but it was on the main road. As best as I can remember the lot is a hundred yards or so. There is a house and keeper at the shelter. Some one was there with trail magic when we spent the night there and we helped them load up their car is the reason I remember it so well.

The outfitter in Harpers Ferry was really nice to us and gave me a ride to the doctor. You may check with them. Also, I think Skipper and Dusty (GA-ME '01) run a hostel in Harpers Ferry. You might check with them.

That’s all I’ve got. Papa Smurf & Flame GA-ME '02

Papa Smurf

#3

There is good parking there, but not sure if it would be totally one hundred percent safe for a week or what have you.

There have always been cars parked there every time I have gone through and being that 501, as Smurf said, is only in the trees about a hundred yards, that may help…plus…that crossing in on top of a hill and the traffic there goes about 90 MPH all the time, so they would probally pass by before they even saw you parked there.

As far as getting to Harpers Frerry, unless you find a reasonable shuttle the hitch is a Bit%$ from there to Harpers Or back.

I would almost suggest finding somewhere else to start that is a little more accesible, as that is one of those way out of the way places, sorta how Hot Springs is…you have to do giant circles to get to it from anywhere, and in my vast hitching experiacne…PA is tough to get rides in comparison to everywhere except NY/NJ–the two hardest states (For ME) to get a ride in.

Lion King

#4

HF and 501 were chosen because that would hook up two already hiked portions. I could probably stretch it to Port Clinton, I know there is some bus service there. Looks like about 24 extra miles.

Lyle

#5

Looks like Trailways offers service from Port Clinton to Wahington, DC, could then catch the commuter train back to HF.

Will have to look into this further. Anyone have any comments?

How about parking in Port Clinton?

Lyle

#6

Lots of parking in Port Clinton. The city has a pavilion/park where section hikers park. We met several section hikers there when we hiked. One church group probably had 6 or 7 cars and a large van parked in front of the pavilion. They feed us ayce spaghetti, french bread and salad. (that was a good yogi!!)

The trail from 501 to PC was real good the best I can remember (I was thinking it was 22 miles). We started late that morning and got there early. It was hot (102 feels like). That was the hotest night on the trail (85). I went to the river a couple times in the night to just cool off. I was sweating just sitting still at 1 am.

You shouldn’t have any trouble parking there.

Papa Smurf

#7

Called Trailways, Port Clinton to Wash. DC $46 one way. Flag bus in front of Peanut House at 1208 PM, Arrive Wash. DC at 750 PM. Might be too late to catch the commuter to HF, but still sounds like a plan. Unfortunatly there is a 2 1/2 hour layover in Pottstown

Thanks for the info on parking, that was going to be my next concern, but I won’t worry about it.

:oh :oh

Lyle

#8

PottsVille PA is only about 20 miles from the 501 shelter, a $30.00 shuttle. Pottsville is on Trailways route I believe. There’s also local service from Pottsville to Pine Grove http://www.go-sts.com/schedule.asp?route=70, but the timing may not fit with Greyhound/Trailways.

A