I’m now a card-carrying member of the Mason-Dixon Trail system.
The Mason-Dixon trail is 193 miles long and connects the Appalachian Trail to the Brandywine Trail. It starts at Whiskey Springs, Cumberland County, PA, and follows the west bank of the Susquehanna to Havre de Grace, MD. Across the Susquehanna it continues through Elk Neck State Forest to the Christina River in Delaware, then White Clay Creek in Chester County, PA. It terminates at the Brandywine River in Chadds Ford, PA.
It’s not well-known — I grew up in Chadds Ford and never heard of it until two weeks ago!
For $15 you can become a member, too, and receive a very detailed set of 10 maps with specific instructions by the mile — plus a cool patch for your hat or jacket. Visit www.masondixontrail.org for more details.
The trail seems to follow a lot of back roads but there are sections along old logging roads, through fields and woods, too. I’m looking forward to hiking Map 3: “Wago Junction at the Susquehanna River to Trinity Church Road south of Wrightsville.” Looks like unparalleled views of the Susquehanna River and the surrounding landscape.
I’m imagining a foggy morning in June…
Kathleen Connally 