Pigman's Ferry

 This was our first campsite, and to be honest, I overestimated our abilities.  We went 16 miles on our first day, and it was four miles too many.  We were fine until mile 12, but those last four were torture.  We should have stopped at Irons Mountain after 10 miles, but there was a pretty sketchy homeless guy squatting there, so we pushed on.  There was a pay campsite at mile 12, but we didn't have a reservation so we had to push on.  My feet were destroyed by this point.  Very disappointed in my boots, as I had pretty bad blisters, despite them fitting well and tending to hotspots as they developed. After we got our camp set up, an upstream biker asked if he could share the site.  There was plenty of room, so of course we had no objection.  We told him we just walked here from Cumberland, he said, "What?  Did you lose a bet?" 

Lock 75

 Lock 75.  Its in pretty good shape!  Downstream gates restored, water in the canal prism, masonry intact.  

Lockhouse 75

This is the first lockhouse we came to, at lock 75.  Squared timber construction.  I found it interesting that a variety of construction techniques were used for the lockhouses, it seems there was no standard design for them. 
 

Turtles! (and a secret otter)

 The sections of the canal that still have water in them have quite a bit of aquatic wildlife.  We saw lots of turtles, some snakes, and a rare treat, an otter!  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it.  The otter swam out onto a log and was watching us curiously.  As I reached for my camera, my daughter was so excited to see the otter she screamed and dropped her trekking poles, scaring the critter off.  

What Have The Romans Ever Given Us?

 The aqueduct?   

What Is This?

 I have no idea.  There are brackets attached to it, perhaps for a platform.  Maybe it was for loading cargo onto the canal boats, or fodder for the mules?  

Ruins

 One of the first canal structures we came upon was this small lock.  I believe its a guard lock, used to control the amount of water in the canal prism.  Its much too small to be a lift lock.  

On The Way

 This is what the trail looked like for much of the journey.  Basically crushed gravel.  Other parts were two dirt ruts.  However, the Canal Trust and NPS are working to improve the trail.  Near Oldtown the trail is improved with a cambered surface that helps with drainage and is comfortable for both walking and biking.  

Mile 184.5 (or Mile 0 as we're going west to east)

I met up with my hiking party the day before we stepped off. Our group consists of me, my 14-year old daughter, my co-worker, and her friend. We took this picture at the mule statue at Canal Place in Cumberland, at the start of the towpath.  

 I found it very difficult to post from the trail, as cell service was spotty at best.  So get ready for a series of posts from the trail while off the trail!  

When we got to Cumberland, my daughter and I took this picture from the western terminus.  Its 184.5 miles from here to Washington D.C.!

Cumberland!

 We’re in Cumberland!  The hike starts tomorrow morning!  Now, I need to figure out how to post photos from my phone. 

Itinerary!

 Here's the trip itinerary, with each day's destination.  If you're in the area and want to walk a few miles with me, or just drop in to camp to spend some time (pizza and beer are much appreciated) you'll know where I'll be at the end of each day.  I have a hotel stay in Hancock, and B&B's in Shepherdstown and Harper's Ferry.  At Swain's Lock I'm staying in a restored lockhouse.  Hopefully, I'll make the entire route, but if not, due to injury or exhaustion, I do have bug-out options.  

6/7:  Leave Cumberland, destination Pigman’s Ferry

6/8:  Sorrel Ridge

6/9:  15 Mile Creek/Little Orleans

6/10:  Leopard’s Mill

6/11:  Hancock, MD

6/12:  Zero mile day, Hancock

6/13:  Fort Frederick

6/14:  Cumberland Valley

6/15:  Big Woods

6/16:  Shepherdstown, WV Thomas Shepherd Inn

6/17:  Zero mile day, Shepherdstown

6/18:  Harper’s Ferry  The Town's Inn

6/19:  Calico Rocks

6/20:  Turtle Run

6/21:  Swain’s Lock  Lockhouse  

6/22:  Georgetown, D.C.  End trip  The Georgetown House

Almost time to step off!

 We're in  the final phase of prep work!  I have my pack sitting at 33 pounds right now after doing some further adjustments and gear swap pouts.  My daughter's pack is just over 16 pounds, but will be a bit heavier once we get her spare clothes and sleeping bag on.  She should still weigh in at under 20 pounds though.

   We've already had one unfortunate change.  One of my hiking buddies had to drop out due to illness, so our party for the first week is now four.  This required some changes with the support teams, but everyone is now on the same page, so I'm looking forward to some happy hiking!