Great four day weekend hike

Mason Dixon Line

Had four days to hike.  Started eight miles north of the MD state line and made it all the way to Keys Gap, six miles south of Harpers Ferry, WV.  Interesting four days with varied terrain, trail conditions and weather.

Tumbling Run Shelter

Friday - hiked almost 15 miles into Maryland.  Very cold.  Most of the trail was snow covered with lots of hills.  Pretty hard hiking.  Because we had two cars, parking one at each end of the section we were hiking, we really didn't need backpacks, etc, but carried them anyway and camped at the Tumbling Run Shelter because we wanted to try out the new equipment at a time and place where we were close to the cars.
Saturday - after carrying Yak-Traks for several days without using them, decided not to take them.  Bad idea.  Overall the hike was easier,  spent many miles up on a ridge.  However, coming down toward the bridge over Route 40, we hit a very well traveled section of trail that was a sheet of ice.  Not good.  Will not neglect the Yak-Traks again.  Passed though Washington Monument State Park.
Sunday - beautiful warm day.  But almost the whole trail was icy.  Yak-Traks are wonderful.   Went through some open fields and past the site of the Civil War Battle of the South Mountain and Gathland State Park.

Coming into Harpers Ferry

Monday - Shorter, much easier hike.   Mostly snow and ice free.  Started out on the ridge that forms the boundary between WV and VA.  Then the trail went downhill to Harpers Ferry and followed the C&O canal tow path for the remaining three miles.  Not too cold but started raining one hour into the hike.  Still not a bad morning.  Rain stopped by the end of our hike.