Maryland Heights (part II) Virtual Cache
Maryland Heights (part II)
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(virtual)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Hike up a fairly well cleared trail (Hurricane Isabel debris excepted) to the rock outcropping overlooking Harpers Ferry, WV.
NOTE: This is not an easy hike for small children and I urge you to use caution at the actual cache site! That said, this is a great day hike; you should be able to go up in under 45 min. and back in less than that. Bring a picnic lunch and sit and watch the vultures soaring. Fall is a great time to do this hike!
This site is at Maryland Heights in Maryland overlooking historic Harpers Ferry, WV. at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Harpers Ferry was the site of John Brown's raid on the US Arsenal in 1859 for which he was hanged.
You can park in Harpers Ferry and cross the foot bridge and walk along the C & O canal to the trail head or you can drive along the Maryland side and park just past the base of the trail. (39-19.765/77-43.916) If you choose this option it's a little tricky to describe how to get there. You need to get off Rte 340 before it crosses over into VA and go down Sandy Hook Rd. Follow the road along the RR tracks and go under the bridges crossing the Potomac from WV into MD and go north on the road that parallels the river/canal.
About 1/2 mile up the road you will see what looks like a steep fire trail coming down the side of the mountain. About 200 yds past the trail is a place to pull over and park. Hike up this trail for about half an hour; a second, blue blazed trail will branch off to your left at approx. If you have strong legs and lots of time take this trail for a nice strenuous workout past some encampments from the War Between the States. If you don't have time or are too tired, continue past to 39-19.687/77-43.486. This was how you went to the original MD HGTS cache the NPS removed in FEB/02. :-(
Continue on back down the south side of the mountain. Caution: ISABEL and the following rain caused numerous trees to fall and you may have to go off the path to go around them! Continue on to the rock outcropping to view the town below.
For credit and to keep me from deleting your posts email me the answers to the following questions.
1. What was the name and occupation of the man the town below is named for and what did he do in 1747?
2. There are 5 pictures shown. What is the year each picture was taken?
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nafjref ba n ACF fvta ol gur ebpx bhgpebccvatf.