Harper's Ferry - North or South?

imported
#1

My wife and I are staying in Harper’s Ferry Friday night and I have one day for a solo dayhike on Saturday before we head out to our Saturday evening destination in Lancaster, PA (my son’s lacrosse tourney).

She’ll shuttle me and then I’ll walk back to Harper’s Ferry. Question is: do I have her shuttle me north so I can walk south or do I have her shuttle me south so I can walk north?

I got the AT Guide and maps. The way I read it, if I do the the southbound I’m thinking of starting at Crampton Gap (10 mi). If I do the northbound I’m thinking of starting at the Blackburn Center (13.3 mi).

For those of you that know the area which one would be better, more scenic, more memorable, will have more thrus to make fun of me and try to yogi food? Thanks.

Locomotive Breath '07 (maybe - cross your fingers for the stars to align)

Locomotive Breath

#2

Either hike is OK, but just OK, IMHO. I’d give the edge to starting at Gathland State Park and hiking into HF. Better trail, more diverse, some views from Weverton. Also, if your goal is to meet more NOBOs the best way is to hike SOBO.

Yeah, definitely bring some extra food to feed the NOBOs.I understand they crave fresh fruit this time of year.

One other hike I enjoy in the area is a circuit starting and ending in HF. Hike south on the AT across the Shenandoah River, and ascend to where the AT meets the Loudoun Hts. Trail (former AT route). Turn left and take the LHT to its end. That puts you onto US340, for a roadwalk on the highway and across the Sandy Hook Bridge. At the “north” end of the bridge, on the right side, follow the old AT down and around a former ramp to a road, turn right, and take the road down to where you can cross the railroad tracks to the C&O Canal (very close to a small store with picnic tables where you buy snacks/drinks and can stop for a break). Once on the C&O, you’re also on the AT going “south.” Just follow that to and over the railroad bridge into HF.

Skyline

#3

hike north. Its a really nice flat trail along the river

Virginian