Photo Gallery Page 3 of 4

Harper's Ferry is the psychological half-way point for the Appalachian Trail. It's fun to check in at the ATC office and see their hiker-photo album and to have your own picture taken. I also enjoyed a hot shower, a couple of good meals, and touring the historic areas of town. This photo was taken looking back as I left town.

It's traditional to eat a half-gallon of ice cream at the half-way point. I ate a half-gallon of ice cream several times on the hike. Most thru-hikers find they can use all the calories they can eat!

This is one of the most scenic overlooks in PA. Many dayhikers were picnicking on the rocks.

Although the rocks may not be as bad as some horror stories would have you believe, there were some VERY rocky stretches of trail, such as this one.

I always enjoyed the plank walkways which allowed you to cross swamps dry-shod. This was an especially pretty stretch of trail.

Here the trail passes through a narrow gap in the rocks, making a tight squeeze for backpack toting hikers.

There were a few of these log ladders along the trail. More common were "stiles" (steps) crossing barb-wire fences along the way. In some of the steepest stretches of trail, rebar handle/steps were drilled into the rock.

Variety is the spice of life, and I really enjoyed the beautiful New England towns.

As is often the case, there was a cold wind blowing the fog around on top of Mt. Lafayette. Rain showers came and went, creating a classic hypothermia situation. I was appalled to see a boy scout troop without rain gear here!

This is Lindsey and Roscoe. Where the trail ran down steep rock faces, it often became so slippery in the rain that the trail was genuinely hazardous. Many an unwary, or unlucky, thru-hiker has ended the hike early with a serious leg injury in this area.