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Slackpacking Maryland
Destination: Harpers Ferry, MD
| Activities: Hiking and Slackpacking
Have you been dreaming of hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail, but you just cannot see yourself carrying a heavy pack and sleeping in shelters without a hot shower? We have the perfect solution- slackpacking! Hike a new section every day and get picked up at the end for a hot meal, shower, and a comfortable bed and spacious solitude at the Blue Mountain Retreat. The retreat center is owned and operated by Beth Ehrhardt, a skilled massage therapist who can put your tired hiking muscles at ease! Blue Mountain shares 27 acres with the Ehrhardt Family Organic Farm, and hosts numerous yoga and wellness retreats throughout the year. Slackpacking Maryland is our latest addition to our slackpacking trips and covers all 40 miles of Maryland, from Pen Mar Park to the Potomac River. This section travels along the backbone of South Mountain, a north-south ridge that extends from Pennsylvania to the Potomac River and is considered easy by A.T. standards but is still a good place to find out if you're ready for more rugged parts of the Trail.
Highlights
- Hiking the entire 40.2 miles of the AT in Maryland, from the Mason-Dixon Line to Harpers Ferry
- Hiking on some of the easier sections of the AT—but don’t be fooled, there are still rocky paths, ups and downs, and challenges on the trail
- Learning the role that this area played in the Civil War
- Enjoying the beautiful vistas
- Experiencing spacious solitude at the Blue Mountain Retreat
Departures and Prices
| October 16 to October 21, 2022 |
| $1795.00 - Limited Availability |
| Book Now |
Inclusions
- 1 - 3 experienced AGC guides based on group size
- Five nights lodging at Blue Mountain Retreat
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6
- Transportation between Dulles and the hostel and daily shuttles back and forth to the trailhead
What's not included: Travel to and from Dulles airport (IAD), alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, and travel insurance
Trip Documents
Trip Intro
This trip is rated a 4 because you will be hiking from 7.5 to 11.5 miles a day (see the itinerary for daily mileage) four days in a row and requires being in excellent physical condition. You can always choose to stay at the hostel for the day, which is a pleasant 3-mile walk from the town of Harpers Ferry. A rating of 4 requires aerobic conditioning for at least 40-50 minutes 4-5 times a week with additional endurance exercise (e.g. going for a 2-hour hike with elevation gain once a week) and strength training. Going for longer hikes before the trip is recommended if you want to hike the entire 40 miles. This is an ideal first slackpacking trip for anyone who wants to see what they're like but with a shorter commitment and for any woman who is interested in section hiking the Appalachian Trail. Rating: 1 2 3 [4] 5.
This is a hiking trip through the state of Maryland along the legendary Appalachian Trail. You will be hiking in the mountains with constant elevation gain and loss on a trail that is very rocky at times. We're staying just outside the historic town of Harpers Ferry, although there will be limited time to visit it.
We will be staying in the lovely Blue Mountain Retreat for the week. It is a private, spacious house with ample parking space. There is a wraparound deck with a dining area, and a living room full of comfy chairs to relax in after a long day of hiking. The lodging has 9 bedrooms 4 bathrooms, 2 living rooms and 2 dining rooms. Some bedrooms can accommodate up to 4 people, but we will have a maximum of 2 people per room. Please note: Single supplements refer to your own bedroom only. There are 2 larger single rooms and 2 smaller single rooms used for single supplements and are priced accordingly. All bathrooms are shared.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
Overnight: Blue Mountain Retreat
Distance: 8.2 miles. Overnight: Blue Mountain Retreat Center
Distance: 11 miles. Overnight: Blue Mountain Retreat
Distance: 11.5 miles. Overnight: Blue Mountain Retreat, Harpers Ferry (B,L,D)
Today, we'll have completed our grand total of 40.2 miles across Maryland! After we have time to freshen up at our lodging, we'll drive into nearby Harpers Ferry where we'll have a couple of hours free to explore. We'll have dinner there tonight at a local restaurant, celebrating our adventures along the trail, getting all our 'trail names' straightened out, and perhaps thinking about our next A.T. opportunity!
Distance: 9.5 miles. Overnight: Blue Mountain Retreat, Harpers Ferry (B,L,D)
(B)
4.7
(17 reviews)*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
The guides were amazing.
The route, the people, the accommodations and most of all the guides.
Claire, Danya, and Mel were excellent guides. Claire especially is extremely capable. Lodge was very comfortable. Hiking all of Maryland AT was terrific.
This was my first trip, I finished the 40 miles with out a problem. I met some very nice women & the weather was great
Yes it was amazing. I was looking forward to it since March hoping that it would happen. I'd say it exceeded my expectations.
Consider offering to hire us a local guide (at our expense) for an hour tour of Harpers Ferry on the last day to enhance the experience. It’s always fun to have a mother/daughter team on the trip. I’ll never forget Laura Roth saying she’d chosen this Slackpacking Maryland because “my mom can do this trip”. Patty Burrow was able to hike through her injury because Karen Abis offered Patty her extra pair of hiking shoes, just another example of what makes AGC participants special. And Shiela and Nicole’s brought a selection of local adult beverages, which was especially fun and thoughtful.
It actually exceeded my expectations.
A good time was had by all! Delicious cooking, good strong coffee in the mornings by 6, dessert every night and a fun dinner out on the last night. What more is there?
exceeded expectations!
What a delightful walk in the woods!
Meeting all the great women and realizing that I can hike 10 miles a day for 4 days in a row!
It is a wonderful trail and will become a very popular trip.
These trips are always excellent!! It's what keeps me coming back. Highlights: Everyone on the trip Finishing all of Maryland on the AT!!! The day when we almost beat the rain I love coming "home" to a meal each night. Its such a nice break for me.
I enjoyed hiking with other women in such an historic area of the Appalachian Trail. The guides were great.
- Where do we eat?
The guides will be cooking breakfasts and most dinners at the Blue Mountain Retreat. Before you leave in the morning the guides will put out lunch 'fixings' and you'll take a packed lunch. You'll go out for one dinner where you can order off the menu; other nights you'll relax at the retreat and have dinner there. -
What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-intolerant although we can not guarantee a completely gluten-free diet, if we know well in advance. If you’re severely allergic or if you have other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. If you’re vegan, you may want to bring some additional protein bars. -
I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise you'll be sharing a room with one other woman.
