Hiking in WV

When new issues hit the stands, they also come hot off the presses to the office building. This past week I picked up the recent issue of Backpacker, one of our sister publications and pored over the pages for a recommended hike near my parent's home in Purcellville, VA.

Luckily enough, one feature of this issue was 50 Trails in 50 States - and one of them had its starting point right in my back yard! (Well...practically the back yard.) From Harpers Ferry, WV hikers can hop onto the trail and take about a 15 mile roundtrip day hike (or 6-ish if stepping off from Weverton Rd in Boonesborough) up to the amazing Ed Garvey Shelter - located right over the state border as hikers enter Maryland.

On the way up, the scenery could not be better for a day's dip into the famous trail. Weverton Cliff is about a half mile into the first half; it overlooks an enormous chunk of the Potomac river and the railroad tracks chugging through this historic area of WV. The rocks jut upward over the edge and create a wonderful area for picnicking, resting, or simply breathing in the open air.

All in all, the weather was perfect, I broke a good sweat and had some quality ponder-time with Mother Nature. I thought to myself, this is really the way to live. And who knew?! The Garvey Shelter itself was a little piece of timber heaven nestled between secluded tent pads and individual campfire pits. It was a tremendous way to spend a Saturday.