7 hrs, 14 kms

Actual Date: Nov 25, 2015

Unlike surrounding counties where I've explored a half a dozen towns in each at least, my Fulton County hike will only include 1 town: McConnellsburg . Technically the county has another "borough" as well--Valley-Hi, but I couldn't find it on the map... and for a good reason... it only has 15 people in it!

Sounds like a big family that just decided to call themselves a "town"

Anyways... McConnellsburg is definitely a legit town--and still has its rustic charm. Back in the day, it was an important resting place for travellers head over the Appalachia--as it sits in a valley between two high ridges. So McConnellsburg was the idea place to stay the night. Nowadays, historic Route 30 bypasses the town and folks zip past it twice a day commuting to and from their moutain homes and jobs in Cumberland Valley.

Main Street actually looks better maintained than town like Chambersburg, with stone buildings and log houses nicely preserved. One building is different than any I've ever seen, with layers of log interspersed with layers of stone.

I stop in the diner for breakfast... then continue on up and over my last mountain... for now.

At the top I exit Fulton and reenter Franklin county once again. My mountain loop in a quest to experience the "real" Appalachia has come to an end... Many fascinating discoveries and a surprisingly high number of interesting encounters with people. Definitely worth the effort.

But I must say, I'm glad it's over. All that mountain driving took its toll on my vehicles... I'm ready to do some flatland exploring once again.