Thursday, 5 June

Destination: Rocky Run Shelter (1042.0)
Start Location: Annapolis Rocks (1051.1)
Today’s Miles: 9.1
Trip Miles: 25.2

Tonight Bob and I are camping at the aptly named Rocky Run Shelter. the shelter is a double decker like Raven Rocks. Tent sites are up a rocky hill near the shelter but there is a picnic table! With a nine mile day we were in early. Nice with today’s heat, 85. I had to pitch my tent in freestanding mode with my trekking poles since I could not get stakes in.

We have been woken with the birds and sun by 5:30. After a leisurely breakfast and coffee, we pack and start hiking. Today that was by 7:15.

Bob and I crossed the I-70 footbridge with incredible noise after being in the woods for a few days. We arrived at the Washington Monument, the first one, built in Maryland in 1832. It was a place for a break with nice hazy views. We passed an old stone church and markers for the Maryland campaign of the Civil War. Two miles later we arrived at Dahlgren Backpack Campground with a shower house next to the trail. It was time for a hot shower even though we had two more miles to go in the heat.

Early camp setup and off to the spring for water. Imagine our disappointment after getting into camp was realizing that we passed a restaurant 0.1 mile off trail about two miles back. Visions of cheeseburgers and cold sodas danced in our heads. We will definitely be paying more attention to the trail guide for the rest of the trip.

After dinner we put our food in the bear box. A hiker, trail name Eventually, is staying in the shelter. The heat is bothering him. It turns out he lives about a mile from me.

Bob and I have been seeing lots of mountain laurel. Today’s hike had no big climbs which we appreciated. Chipmunks for entertainment.

No photos tonight. Yesterday’s photos were uploaded this morning.