View Full Version : The other Waynesboro
Hoop Time
05-10-2011, 23:00
Driving back from my daughter's soccer game I decided to take the scenic route from Waynesboro, Pa., in part out of curiosity about where the AT crossed east of town.
It was only about 3 miles east on Route 16, yet I don't recall ever hearing anyone talk about it as a "trail town" or resupply option, despite a couple of supermarkets and lots of places to eat along the stretch between the town and the AT.
Is there a reason why the only Waynesboro you seem to hear about along the AT is the one in Virginia?
(I am curious because I am looking for some places to profile in AT Journeys)
brian039
05-10-2011, 23:23
You can make it from Harper's Ferry to Boiling Springs in 5 days easily. That's probably the easiest stretch of the entire trail. I think a lot of people are pumped coming out of HF and wanting to do big days. A lot of people re-evaluate their budget at that point also (I know I did) and realize they probably need to tighten up so Waynesboro gets the axe. Plus there's lots of parks in that section where you can supplement your food, no real reason to fool with a resupply in Waynesboro.
It was really resupply redundant having to go into Waynesboro PA the way I had my resupply set up, but I did it not so much for the sake of a very light trail food load between resupply pts but because I had a new pair of shoes mailed there that were DESPERATELY needed. I also mailed some gear home from there, hit a lg grocery for a few days(2-3) trail food, ate a whole bucket of KFC by myself, not belching once, stayed one night, I think at the Days Inn, on the far end of town, for about $50, and walked from the hotel to a nearby laundromat to wash the funkiest laundry I had the whole trail. Washed my stuff twice and it still reeked! Thought you might want to know that! Easy getting a ride in and out. The trail is not very far from most of the stuff most thru-hikers desire the most - PO, hotels, laundry, alcohol, food food food, etc! Wasn't aware of an outfitter. Didn't spend a great amount of time researching hotels/places to stay but I did make about a half dozen calls from the PO. The hotel prices were, IMO, at that time(circa 2006), in the intermediate range, $high 30's-65. Possibly worth it for two or more sharing a room.
Adding to Brian039's commentary, is that there were in 2006, trail angels just north of the MD/PA border. Roseburgs or something like that, that I missed connecting with, who by other thru-hiker's accounts were super accommodating and terrific!
In my mind, with my limited dated knowledge, not one of the cheapest places to stop but CERTAINLY not a BAD near trail resupply option either. It's not a hugely spread out affair! For a quicky grocery store stop not BAD at all!
If I remember correctly, the Aleaxander Hamilton Public Libraray? was too far away to walk to for internet access but I had it at the Days Inn.
I hitched into Waynesboro, PA from the trail when I thought I had lymes. The hospital there was excellent. They took one look and told me it wasn't lyme, then asked if I would like a shower. I did. When I tried to pay, they said to wait until I got the bill. I have catastrophic insurance, so I knew I would have to pay. The bill was for over $400! Luckily my insurance negotiated it to less. Expensive shower!
Chenango
05-12-2011, 08:05
I hitched into Waynesboro, PA from the trail when I thought I had lymes. The hospital there was excellent. They took one look and told me it wasn't lyme, then asked if I would like a shower. I did. When I tried to pay, they said to wait until I got the bill. I have catastrophic insurance, so I knew I would have to pay. The bill was for over $400! Luckily my insurance negotiated it to less. Expensive shower!
Asked if you wanted a shower? Must have been great hiker stink. lol
Asked if you wanted a shower? Must have been great hiker stink. lol
levels of hiker funk, they would have demanded rather than asked.:D