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Walk Across Maryland (WAM-40)
WAM-40 will take place on Friday May 29, Saturday May 30, Sunday May 31, 2026.
More than thirty years ago, Marshall Hamilton organized a three-day, 40-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail as a Maryland Mensa activity. Four hikers participated.
One thing led to a bunch of other things, and it turns out that lots of people enjoyed the hike. Mensans and friends have joined together, covering the same ground every year, for 30-plus years now. Marshall & Karen have turned over the organizing chores to others now, but the tradition continues.
You are cordially invited to join us this year for our 39th hike.
Here's some of what you need to know:
The Hike
You can carry whatever you'd like; our only requirement is that you have enough water and food—meals and snacks—to get yourself through the hike. Most of us treat the hike as a series of three one-day hikes, meaning that we don't try to carry tents, sleeping bags, or other nighttime gear with us. If you have a masochistic streak, or if you're getting in shape for a backpacking adventure, feel free to load on the weight. But most hikers leave their gear in their cars and retrieve it at the end of each day.
You're welcome to join us for one, two, or all three days. We are organizing a shuttle system for cars. If you need to stop before you've finished a full day, we'll try to help you, but you may be on your own to backtrack or check with Lyft or Uber to return to your vehicle.
We will gather Friday morning at Pen Mar County Park to begin the first day’s hike.
However, on Saturday and Sunday mornings, we will gather at the destination of each day’s hike: Turners Gap (South Mountain Inn) on Saturday and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, on Sunday. Then volunteer drivers will take us to the beginning point of each day’s hike.
Most of the Maryland AT is pretty well supported with cell phone access. In fact, some cell towers share the ridge with the AT.
Support
This hike is not a commercial venture, and the level of support is not what you might expect if you were working with a commercial outfitter.
This hike is a group of friends who like hiking and being outdoors.
Over the years, we've added a number of amenities to the hike. But please don't forget that our support is provided by volunteers. Limit your expectations to the times and places that will be announced at the beginning of each day.
Dogs and other non-humans are not welcome unless they are well-trained and under the complete control of their humans. If your animal does not meet this standard, i.e., under your complete control, your animal will not be permitted to mingle with other WAM hikers on the trail or at WAM meals, campsites, or other locations.
Please do your best to meet the support during the stated hours; if you're running behind, you might find that the support vehicle has left before your arrival.
Fees
For three days, it's $50 per person. For Sunday only, it's $32 per person, and Friday and Saturday are $12 per day per person.
Nighttime
The end points of Friday and Saturday’s hikes are near campsites and road crossings with parking lots. Hikers are welcome to use the AT shelter near Friday night’s stopping point or its nearby campsites. They can also camp at Dahlgren Backpacker Campground at Saturday night’s stopping point. Campers can leave their tents and other gear in their cars, which will be shuttled between stops each day, on a volunteer basis.
If you'd rather stay in a commercial motel, or if you want to come out a day early and need a place to stay, we recommend that you stay in Hagerstown, Maryland. It's less than 10 miles from the Friday night and Saturday night camps, and perhaps 16 miles from Friday's starting point.
More info
To learn more about the trip, click on the buttons on the left.
Sound interesting? Copy and paste my email address, denali95@gmail.com into the recipients line in your message, and send me an email.