Troop 62 Philmont, NM 2011: Keeping Our Stride

On Saturday, March 19, the Troop 62 Philmont crew set out to do another 12 mile segment of the Appalachian Trail. We got on the trail at US 40, going south to Gathland State Park, for our second overnight training weekend. Our journey across South Mountain started by crossing the footbridge, high above noisy I-70. Shortly after reaching the other side, we disappeared deep into the trees with no sign of civilization in sight. As we followed the trail, we soon discovered a vista that gave us a wonderful view of the Middletown Valley. After a short break, we continued our climb up the trail until we reached the Washington Monument, the first monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington. From here, high atop South Mountain, we could see all of Boonsboro and beyond. Our crew decided this was the perfect place to stop for lunch. After a climb up the stairs to the top of the monument we put on our backpacks and got back on the trail. A couple miles later we came to where the AT crossed Alt. 40 at the Old South Mountain Inn. Alex asked, “You made reservations for us right?” We all laughed as we crossed the road and then made our way past the Inn. We continued down the trail, past two more historic Civil War sites, until we reached the side trail to Rocky Run Shelter. This trail led us down, past a new shelter on our right and into a small clearing that already had several tents set up, in the hollow between two ridges. In the distance we could see the original Rocky Run Shelter. We set up camp and then a few crewmembers built a fire while the rest searched for firewood. The only task left for the day was to prepare our evening meal. After dinner, I surprised everyone with dessert, Raspberry Crumble, which was also dehydrated. It was delicious! The rest of the evening we relaxed at our camp, some around the fire and some in their tents, until it was time to go to sleep. The next morning after breakfast we packed up and continued southward, hiking along the top of the ridge. Being up that high gave us many amazing views of the valley below. Shortly after noon we stopped for lunch at a large mountain of rocks. Some of our crew insisted on climbing up, close to the top, to eat their lunch while the rest of us were content with eating down at the base. After lunch, we followed the trail to Gathland State Park, home of the War Correspondent's Arch, where our weekend adventure came to an end.