Appalachian Trail in Harpers Ferry

The Appalachian Trail was proposed by Benton MacKaye in 1921 and completed in 1937. It was designated the first National Scenic Trail in 1963. The 2,178 mile trail runs along the mountains from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine and crosses the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry. Most of the trail runs through national and state parks, though some sections cross private land. The trail is cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The main office and visitors center is in Harpers Ferry. The trail runs along the crest of South Mountain for 41 miles through Maryland.

Trail beside the tracks on the CSX Railroad Bridge

Looking across the Potomac River toward Maryland

Day 292 - Another day, another lake

Today we drove to Greenbrier State Park on South Mountain to the west of Frederick for more shots of fall. When the kids were younger it was one of our favorite places for a Saturday afternoon swim and picnic. We had not been back in about 20 years. They greatly improved the lake area with expanded beach, gazebos, new picnic areas, improved paths and expanded parking. The Appalachian Trail transverses the park and there are other trails as well. The trees in our area are changing in spots, but there is still a lot of green. Marianne also posted photos of Greenbrier.

Day 227 - Water fall

Today I took the boys to Cunningham Falls State Park to see the falls for which the park is named. It is about a 20 minute drive and 20 minute hike to the falls from our house. We were disappointed in the water flow - the falls are more spectatular after Spring rains.

The forest in the park is second growth. Timber was harvested and the area was heavily farmed by the settlers in the 1700's and early 1800's. The park is spectacular in the fall when the leaves changed to red, yellow and orange.