Maryland Heights Leaf Peepers Hike
Our Leaf Peepers hike on the Maryland Heights Overlook Trail near Harpers Ferry will be a two-fer: beautiful fall colors and rich Civil War history.
This hike features steep climbs and rocky terrain but we'll be rewarded with a spectacular overlook of Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The hike to the overlook and back is 4.5 miles and is very strenuous.
FYI - A couple of weeks ago, a few commenters on All Trails noted that they saw some bees near the trail. With cooler weather we hope they won't still be around when we're there.
If a strenuous hike isn't your thing right now, you can also come and enjoy a gentle walk along the C&O Towpath while we scale Maryland Heights. It may be "independent study," so to speak, because we do not currently have someone to lead a separate walk on the towpath. (If you are a WO member and would like to lead the walk on the towpath, please send an email to MidAtlantic@womenoutdoors.org and let us know. Thank you!)
After the hike, we'll all have a brown bag lunch in Harpers Ferry and then folks can explore some of the historic sites on their own. There are two Ranger programs on Saturday, Oct. 19 if you're interested:
- 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Story Behind the Scenery. Hear an overview of the landscape and history of Harpers Ferry. At the Visitors Center Plaza.
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. At All Times Ready. Join park staff and living-history volunteers of the U.S. Marine Corps Historical Company for an interpretive presentation of how the raid unfolded from Oct. 16-18, 1859, transforming Harpers Ferry into a key site in American civil rights history. Begins in Lower Town on The Green and ends at the U.S. Armory (John Brown's fort).
Sorry, no doggies on this hike.
A standard pass for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is $20. You can also purchase an annual National Parks pass for $35 or a senior lifetime pass for $80. Bring a credit card; Harpers Ferry NHP does not accept cash.
This activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.
Registration will close on Thursday, October 17th.
Bring:
- Snacks and water for trail
- Brown bag lunch
- Hiking shoes or boots
- Layers for cool weather
- Hiking poles
- Binoculars
- Credit card for entry fee or NPS Annual or Senior Pass
Specific meeting location and inclement weather information. Your automatic confirmation email will provide the exact location where we will meet for the event. It will also provide information on possible cancellation if required by weather conditions. (Scroll all the way to the bottom of the email.)
Please respect the trip leaders and other members and arrive on time - 9:30 a.m.
The automatic confirmation email is the only email you will receive about this event. Be sure and save it or print it out because there may not be good cell service at the event location.
RSVP and Cancellation – IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ
If you register but then are unable to attend, please cancel your registration. Events may be cancelled due to lack of attendance, as well as changes in weather or other circumstances.
If you must cancel at the last minute, call or text the trip leader (see your confirmation email for contact details) and let her know who it is who is calling/texting.
To Cancel: Go to your Registration List
- Click on this event in your list.
- Click on the Already registered link under the REGISTER button.
- At the next page that opens with your registration form, click on the CANCEL REGISTRATION button, and then again click on Cancel Registration on the pop-up form.
- Ignore the link to contact the administrator.
