“They are able who think they are able”
~Virgil
May 29, 2022
AT miles: 12.0 miles
Ascent: 1735’
Descent: 2048’
Weather: sunny and warm
Sightings: lots of hikers
High points: socializing at the hostel
We thought today would be easy hike, but we were sadly mistaken. The trail had multiple steep ascents and even a hairy rock scramble!
The rock scramble was challenging. My calves were not happy at all the leaning, jumping, and climbing.
And for those not clear on where they’re headed, someone painted very explicit directions!
Some hiker not too far ahead of us has been drawing smiley faces on the trail. These silly drawings make the trail a happier place.
After a steep climb up Center Point Knob, the first mountain we’ve climbed in Pennsylvania, we had a long slog down to the Cumberland Valley, a super-flat 18-mile stretch of the AT.
For the last part of our day we walked through flat farm fields.
Eventually we made it to Boiling Springs, a charming town with a great duck pond.
The trail goes through the center of town, and there were oodles of hikers.
Boiling Springs is a cute town. Supposedly its strange name is due to the artesian springs. The water bubbles up from under the ground with great force. The springs are not hot, just bubbly.
We waited for an hour for our ride to the hostel, a quirky place that didn’t do food or comfortable beds, but we did get a shower and our laundry done.
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!