The spring of my junior year of undergrad, my boss at the time Dr. Robert Pyne met two women for lunch. These two women – teachers, mothers, and now grandmothers – came with disappointing news. An education program they had founded and championed for more than 15 years was ending officially, and they were heartbroken. … More The Project
The 2021 summer of hiking has not gone to plan the way I would have liked. After posting the hiking trips I hoped we’d take this summer, my hiking partner and husband dealt with some pretty terrible back issues that put the AT on the back burner. After about three months of doctors, PT, and … More Sugarloaf Mountain: Maryland
Just a few months ago, Henry and I trudged through a beaver dam, rain, and steep Pennsylvania inclines towards Green Point School Road AT Access. The last 16 miles of our Appalachian Trail adventure was some of the most miserable walking we had done all summer. And yet, we are starting to plan our 2021 … More A Mask in the Woods: 2021 Plan
Once upon a time, four wayward young adults ventured into the woods thinking they would find some kind of novel, old-timey fun in the backcountry. They planned to hike about 14 miles, but after Google had short-changed them multiple times before, they assumed it would be closer to 15. Our four intrepid explorers of nothing … More A Mask in the Woods: Clarks Valley Rd AT Access to Green Point School Rd AT Access (15.9 miles)
On the morning of this particular hike, we noticed how long and straight the trail was supposed to be. In fact, while driving to the end point at Clarks Valley Road, I looked to my right and saw the ridge that we would be hiking along. From the ground, it looked flat and consistent, but … More A Mask in the Woods: Clarks Ferry Park and Ride to Clarks Valley Rd AT Access (15.8 miles)
This is the story of how we walked 3 miles more than intended and met the most discouraging fork in the woods we have ever crossed. But the story takes time to build, so let’s start at the beginning. We started back at Scott Farm, the working farm where the trail does a 180 degree … More A Mask in the Woods: Scott Farm to Clarks Ferry Park and Ride (17.9 miles)
We are officially 5% done with the trail! We started this adventure back in early August, 10 weeks ago. We’ve done nine hikes (skipped a week to let Henry’s blisters heal) in West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. We’ve crossed over a river, walked through towns, climbed over (and through) boulders, hiked up and down hills … More A Mask in the Woods: Whiskey Springs Climbing Parking Area to Scott Farm (16.5 miles)
Sometimes on these hikes, the AT likes to tease us with a really easy start. Such was the start leaving Pine Grove Furnace General Store: a paved bike trail that took us past the Appalachian Trail Museum and down into the lower parking area (remember from last time: coordinate which parking area you will be … More A Mask in the Woods: Pine Grove Furnace General Store to Whiskey Springs Climbing Parking Area (14 miles)
Fall has unexpectedly arrived in Maryland, bringing crisp temperatures, decaying leaves, and lots of soup. Everyone seems a bit caught off guard — late September should still be shorts and t-shirts weather. On the morning of our last hike, when we departed from our house at 5:00a.m., it was below forty degrees! As I started … More A Mask in the Woods: Means Hollow Road to Pine Grove Furnace General Store (12.5 miles)
The adventures of parking alongside dirt roads continues! Thankfully, I’m seeing this more and more that at trail crossings, people will often pull their cars into shoulders or onto grass if the road isn’t very busy. Both Swamp Road, our starting point, and Means Hollow Road, the end, were dirt roads in the middle of … More A Mask in the Woods: Swamp Road to Means Hollow Road (12.9 miles)
Originally, we were shooting for PA 233, which on my map, my copy of the Thru-Hiker’s Companion, and Google Maps say has about two parking spaces along the AT. Even though it was Labor Day weekend, I was confident that with how early we typically get moving that we would get a spot for the … More A Mask in the Woods: Pen Mar Park to Swamp Rd (13.21 miles)
Mary M. McConnaha 