2021 Appalachian Trail II – Epilogue – Spring Backpacking

24-26 May Destination: PA 501 Start Location: Port Clinton Trip Miles: 23.8 Bob and I were able to get over 100 miles of backpacking completed this spring, two Appalachian Trail (AT) hikes and a portion of the Tuscarora Trail (TT). Weather was the most notable factor but amazingly, our feet stayed dry throughout. One day with a few…

2021 Appalachian Trail II – Day Three – 501 Parking Area

Wednesday, 26 May Destination: 501 Shelter Parking Today’s Miles: 5.6 Start Location: Hertline Campsite Trip Miles: 23.8 As usual the birds stared about five. I saw a flashlight and said good morning to Bob. It turns out that the flashlight was a northbound hiker on the trail before sunrise. Since Bob and I were finishing up today, we were…

2021 Appalachian Trail II – Day Two – One Hundred Miles

Tuesday, 25 May Destination: Hertline Campsite Today’s Miles: 9.6 Start Location: Eagles Nest Shelter Trip Miles: 18.6 When Bob and I started our hike out of Port Clinton there was a steep climb straight up without switchbacks. Switchbacks are a zigzag up or down the mountain. Switchbacks make the climb longer but less steep. As slow as we go…

2021 Appalachian Trail II – Day One – Eagles Nest

Monday, 24 May Destination: Eagles Nest Shelter Today’s Miles: 9.0 Start Location: Port Clinton Trip Miles: 9.0 Bob and I did a zero in Hamburg yesterday. After five days on the Tuscarora Trail, ten miles on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 90+ degree weather did not have a lot of appeal. After a filling breakfast at a local diner…