Maryland

Trail Miles: 39.8
Highest Point: 1,880

When Maryland is mentioned, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the eastern part of the state that includes Baltimore and Annapolis along the Chesapeake Bay.  Many do not picture the heavily wooded hills and valleys in the western end of the state.  I have a friend who is not nearly as much a lover of the outdoors as I am.  Actually, he pretty much hates it.  He had to go to a family event with his wife a few years ago to Western Maryland.  He was quite disappointed to find out just how rustic and rough the area was.  He was hoping for crabcakes but got lots of woods instead.

The stretch of trail through Maryland is short and relatively easy.  It is at the northern border of Maryland that the AT crosses the Mason-Dixon line and moves into the Northern US.