We hiked this section on May 23, 2012.
We dropped one car at the small parking lot on US 9 and then took the other car to the very big parking lot on Dennytown Road. The parking lot on Dennytown Road is also used for a campsite near the parking area.
We crossed Dennytown Road and headed into the woods to follow the AT south. There was a light drizzle but we quickly shed our rain jackets because of the warm weather. The ground was soft but very wet. The mosquitoes were out in force today and they screamed “Chinese Buffet” when they saw Python. They buzzed Dirigo’s ears but she didn’t get any bites.
We quickly reached the South Highland Road (2.7 miles) and did not see any obvious parking area. As we started ascending, we met a thru-hiker named “Drop out” who was carrying a plastic baby pool on his back.
Drop out
He had been carrying the pool since Boiling Springs, PA. He was hiking with a young group of kids – maybe 6 total.
The next significant land mark was the Canopus Hill Road at mile 3.7.
When we reached the Chapman Road (5.4 miles), we talked briefly with 2 hikers that we met yesterday. They got off the trail last night and stayed in a nice motel next to an Italian restaurant. There is a small parking area at this road which could easily hold 4-5 cars.
The climb up to Denning Hill (6.8 miles) was a bit painful in the afternoon heat. There was a guy talking on a cell phone at the top of the hill. When we reached the top of the hill, the guy said “I need to ask you an embarrassing question. I just finished getting high and I don’t know which way is north. Could you tell me which way is north?”.
Life Lesson for the day: If you are going to get high on the trail, then before you get high make a stick arrow pointing in the direction you are heading!
The descent from Denning Hill was nice and gradual but we wanted to get out of the woods and away from the bugs. We crossed a rough road then saw a sign that said “Welcome, Hikers, to Graymoor! Kindly follow blue markers up ahead to Ball Field Shelter. The Friars”.
Welcome Hikers To Graymoor
Once we reached a paved road, we saw that the blue blazes went up to the left so we kept following them so that we could see the shelter. We passed 2 small cemeteries, a picnic area, a huge field, and then finally the ball field.
Cross in cemetery at Graymoor
The ball field had a pavilion, a trash can, and 2 porta-johns.
Ballfield
We walked back to the AT and went through the woods again and quickly reached US 9. We changed out of our hiking boots and then went back to the Appalachian Deli & Market for another “Appalachian Delight.”
After lunch, we visited the Graymoor Sisters Gift store and Dirigo bought two medallions.
Graymoor
One was Saint Christopher – Patron Saint of Travelers, which is fitting for our adventures on the AT. The other was Saint Francis of Assisi – Patron Saint of Animals, which we love all animals, especially the ones we see in the woods.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement are a missionary congregation of women who share life in the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience within a context of community.
Our Lady of Atonement