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The Specter of War- 1860 LbNA #4994 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jul 4, 2003
Location:
City:Harpers Ferry
County:Jefferson
State:West Virginia
Boxes:1
Found by: all Daydream
Last found:Nov 6, 2005
Status:FFFFFFaa
Last edited:Jul 4, 2003
Harpers Ferry Letterbox- “The Specter of War- 1860”

Difficulty: Hard- this hike is strenuous in certain spots, but well worth it.
Time Required: 3-4 hours
What to take- Water, camera, lunch (great spot to eat up top).

This beautiful hike will take you over across the Potomac to the top of the Stone Fort trail in Harpers Ferry, WV. Here, in one setting, several themes in the American story converge: Native Americans, industry and transportation, African-Americans, John Brown, the Civil War, and the natural environment. Harpers Ferry became part of the National Park System in 1944. The park covers over 2,300 acres in the states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Getting to Harpers Ferry- Harpers Ferry is located along U.S. Route 340 approximately 65 miles west of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. It is a great drive through some of the unspoiled Virginia landscape.

From Washington DC:
· Take Rt. 7 W
· Exit onto Route 9 West about 3 miles west of Leesburg
· Follow Route 9 through Hillsboro
· Turn right onto Route 671 (just after you pass a large pond on your left)
· Follow Route 671 North for about 8 miles
· Turn left on U.S. Route 340 at the traffic light
· Cross Shenandoah River bridge and continue west on U.S. Route 340
· Turn left at the traffic light and proceed to the Harpers Ferry NHP Cavalier Heights Visitor Center
· There is a $5.00 park entrance fee (valid for three days)

Hiking Directions
1. Once parked at the visitor’s center, take the shuttle to town and exit to where the two rivers meet.
2. Cross over the bridge (next to train tracks), take a left at the bottom of the stairs and follow signs for the “Maryland Heights” trail.
3. Walk on trail for approximately 5 minutes, then cross a small footbridge on the right, cross the road and begin on up “Maryland Heights” trail.
4. Stay straight on the green trail, and after about 10 minutes, take 1st left where the trail divides.
5. After another 5 minutes, you will see a post for the “Stone Fort” trail. Remain straight.
6. After about 100 yards, take left onto the blue “Stone Fort” trail (you will see signs).
7. After another 5-10 minutes, you will see one of the many historical signs along the trail. This stop has a nice lookout point, great for pictures!
8. Continue up on the trail for about 25-30 minutes, stopping at all of the points of interest along the way.
9. At the top of the mountain, you will see wooden signs that indicate that you are in the “Exterior Fort”, continue on the trail, up the wooden stairs.
10. You will reach a T in the trail (Elkridge trail on left, Stone Fort on right). Take a right and continue on the Stone Fort trail.
11. After a few feet, you will find yourself inside the unfinished Stone Fort! Congratulations, you made it. Take a breather.
12. Stand facing the sign describing the Stone Fort (as if you were reading it), turn to the right and walk 30 paces. Turn right, go 8 paces, until you are between a small tree and a huge boulder. Look down and a little to the left, wedged between two of the big rocks is the letterbox treasure!

Here is a map of the trail, you will be following the Stone Fort Trail. The Overlook Cliff trail is also a very nice hike, with a great view:
http://www.nps.gov/hafe/ppmaps/maryland%2Epdf