Maryland Heights Trailhead — Attraction in Harpers Ferry

Beautiful sunrise hike! Parking and “open” time first, since that was what I was worried about going into this.

I went for a sunrise hike, as in I wanted to be at the top when the sun came up (not wait for sunrise and then start. The trail’s webpage says it doesn’t open until sunrise, but nothing stopped me from starting early. Also, parking was a question, but the train station is indeed open 24 hours and I didn’t end up paying anything at all.

I parked at the train station by 4:30am (only a few other cars parked there), walked to the bridge (ghost town vibes) and across the river (crossed in the dark which is creepy), then found my way to the trail once on the other side. I started up the mountain in the dark (also creepy). I didn’t see anything stirring as the sky started to lighten, but I realized I would’ve been more comfortable with a pocket knife. It looks like the kind of forest that might have at least a black bear, maybe even a mountain lion or something. But it was peaceful! I thought for sure I’d see other people with the same idea because of the holiday weekend and PERFECT weather that morning, but no one was around. This tells me I must’ve been breaking some law or something. Every comment says to get there early, avoid the crowds, avoid the heat, avoid the bugs. There was no one around! No heat, no bugs… just song birds and me.

The hike itself was only difficult because I did a strenuous hike the day before. This Maryland Heights trail is mostly like being on a stair master. And when you’re trying to make it by a certain time (sunrise doesn’t wait), you can’t stop to rest. My quads were burning and about to cramp. But I’m getting old and I’m not as active these days. This was only a moderate hike.

Once I got to the top it was beautiful! Quiet and peaceful. The falcons weren’t even awake yet. I sat for about 45 minutes, had a snack, took in the sites and fresh air. It was worth the trip!

Halfway back down I finally saw another human. Then a couple more, then a couple more. Maybe I really should’ve waited for the trail to “open”?

When I got back to the train station around 8am the parking lot was 95% full already. I didn’t have anyone ask me to pay for parking. I have a national park pass, but it stayed in my glove box the whole time. I was already a town over and eating breakfast when the crowds started...

So when I talk about going to Harper's Ferry, this is what I mean. Not going to the town, which is super cool to walk through if it's your first time (It's a 10 min walk through town, across the train tracks bridge and down the canal to this parking spot) It's a quaint historic little town that does have people dress up and act like the town's people used to live back then. But, this is the closest parking area to take the trail up the mountain across the river from the town that takes you out to an amazing view of the rivers meeting and the the town. There are also two railroad tracks and the 1 is still is use, so maybe you can get a shot of a train coming across the river right in front of the town. Up top at the lookout are some really big rocks you can jump on and off and climb. It is possible to climb down the ravine to your left when facing the town at the lookout point, it leads you to the abandon building, which we climbed down into from the hillside! The trail to the lookout point is about 1.2 miles each way I believe and there is a 7 mile trail loop on the mountain that I have...

I walk a few miles every Saturday. It has been my desire to "find out how those people got up there" since I arrived in 2017. I asked around and every one always said the same thing, "follow the trail." I thought they were parking up on the hill. So I drove around looking for parking and signs. Nothing. Finally, I saw someone come out of the bushes. Eureka! Now, if I could just find a place to park. That was May 2021. Yesterday, I woke up and decided to go for it; it can't be that hard. Did I mention, I have NEVER hiked and I PETRIFIED of heights? Armed with a backpack filled with water, snacks, and my cellphone, I was on my way. Higher and higher I climbed and wondered, "how am I going to get back down?" Several times I wanted to quit but someone would come along with an encouraging word. After what seemed like forever, I made it. That's right, I MADE IT and not just to the top but all the way to...