It started out being a nice, sunny day. Most of us got there just before 10AM. Immediately, we started setting up the grills, putting out the signs and preparing the food for whatever number of northbound thru-hikers that may be coming along that day. We knew that it would probably rain that day, but we also knew that the thru-hikers would come through rain or shine.

We waited, and we waited, and we waited. By about 12:30PM no one showed. We were all wondering if maybe no thru-hikers would show up today. It is a hit or miss guess as to how many thru-hikers will show up at a given point at a given time along the AT. But we knew that June was the peak month in the DC area so we should see some.

At around 1PM our first thru-hiker, 'Al' and his dog 'Sugar Dog', came through. Al was delighted to have some trail magic bestowed upon him. He ate like it was his last meal. The Park Superintendant came over and said that no dogs were allowed in the park so Al had to tie his dog up at the park boundry. We didn't think this was right. However, the Super had a change of heart when it started raining and came back to say to get the dog out of the rain. So Sugar Dog and Al were reunited.

Then came thru-hiker number 2, 'Dirty Harry' from Oregon. He was very quiet but ate like crazy. We were checking out his Frogg Toggs jacket. Very light weight, wicked away moisture and kept him warm.

People were starting to leave around 3ish. Then came thru-hiker number 3, Ultreya, from Quebec, Canada. All of these hikers had some interesting stories to tell us as they chowed down on the hambergers, hot dogs and barbeque, among other goodies, that we had.

We started packing up around 4:30PM when 2 more hikers from Canada, 'Undetermined" and 'Sumac', came by knowing that we may not be there after 3PM, but looking for some ice cream. We offered them hamburgers, hot dogs and barbeque as well.

Around 5ish we packed up, did our traditional walk up to the Mason-Dixon line and called it a day. I think that we were disappointed that more thru-hikers did not come through. The Park Superintendant told us that a group of 25 thru-hikers came through just 2 days ago so, again, you never know.

But we had a good time, enjoyed each other's company and learned a thing or 2 from these thru-hikers. Maybe, next year we may try a different date or scale it down by just cooking at a road crossing. We have time to discuss that. The important thing is that we provided some trail magic for 5 thru-hikers (and a dog) and, hopefully, gave them a physical as well as a mental boost in their quest for Katahdin.

More Pictures

Mike C

Hikers 'Undetermined' & 'Sumac'.
By Mike Calabrese

Thru-hikers 'Al' & 'Sugar Dog'.
By Jerry McCumbers

Thru-hiker 'Dirty Harry'.
By Jerry McCumbers

Thru-hiker 'Ultreya'.
By Mike Calabrese

Jerry McC playing catch.
By Charlie Johnson

Group picture.
By Charlie Johnson