Days 21 (May 11) to Day 26 (May 16)
Port Clinton, PA to Deleware Water Gap, PA
Biggest Day this period: 15.0 miles
Total Trail Miles Hiked: 270.9
Now that we are leaving Pennsylvania, I wanted to note some specific characteristics that Pennsylvania has. Every state along the Appalachian Trail has its specific items of note. New Hampshire has the majestic White mountains with Mount Washington, Maine has the hundred mile wilderness and Mount Katadin, and even New Jersey has things like delis every few miles where you can hop off the trail for a sandwich and hop back on and continue your hike.
Pennsylvania has rocks! Lots and lots of rocks. They have so many rocks that it is commonly called Rocksylvania in this particular area. There’s many areas where there’s boulder scrambles where you have to go handover hand, but the most interesting and possibly annoying part of Rocksylvania is on the the trail there are millions scattered sharp pointy rocks for miles and miles to the point where you can’t help but step on top of those rocks and it can beat your feet (and shoes) up quite handily. Trail Horse’s shoes are falling apart and will need replacing soon.
I can’t say we will miss this part of the trail, but it has been very beautiful and interesting and the people as always along the trail are what make the trail great.
DAY 21 - SATURDAY 5/11
15.0 Trail Miles
Port Clinton to Eckville Shelter
So nice to have the sun out today. The morning climb was very tough, but a lot of the day consisted of ridge walking. However the trail is completely covered in rocks, leaving our feet and ankles rather sore. We were rewarded with some great views. One of the overlook had several snakes lying around. We saw a copperhead, a rattlesnake and a milk snake. Others saw a second copperhead and a rat snake.
Shelter was sketchy and might be haunted 😀.
DAY 22 - SUNDAY 5/12
11.5 Trail Miles
Eckville Shelter to The Lookout Hostel
Today was not the most joyful of days. It was cold and rainy with a lot of rock scrambling. At least we had one set of hand warmers that we split between the two of us, warming one hand at a time. Thankfully the day ended at a hostel where a warm shower and laundry services made the day brighter.
DAY 23 - MONDAY 5/13
12.7 Trail Miles
Hostel to Sunset Tent Site overlooking Palmerton
Cloudy morning leading to a partly sunny day. Knife’s Edge, ridge walk with view of towns. Awsome ridge walk overlooking Palmerston PA. Tent site on the ridge. Watched sunset.
DAY 24 - TUESDAY 5/14
14.2 Trail Miles
Sunset Campsite to Smith Gap Rd
Up early and on trail at 6:15. Nice hike before reaching Lehigh Gap climb. Tough steep, but fun. Detour for a beer run. One at the ski resort and one back on trail with rest of hiking crew.
Picked up by Mary Poppins, another very caring trail angel. After helping her set up a water cache, she took us back to her place for lasagne, showers, laundry and indoor sleeping.
DAY 25 - WEDNESDAY 5/15
12.4 Trail Miles
Smith Rd to random tent site south of Wolf Rocks
Rainy morning hike to a restaurant in Wind Gap. Decent into town was delayed by a pair of copperheads hanging out on the trail.
Got ride back to the trailhead from a hiker’s father (Angel Pops) who was in the area. Found a random spot to pitch our tents for the evening.
DAY 26 - THURSDAY 5/16
11.2 Trail Miles
Tent site to Delaware Water Gap
Steep decent into town. Found hotel to stay at near interstate. Pizza and beer at Doughboys Pizza.
AT Photos by state (latest is PA3):
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