APPALACHIAN TRAIL BACKPACK

PENNSYLVANIA

Clarks Valley to Delaware Watergap, PA

JUNE 16-23, 2006



Andy Buttles and Dan McQueen followed their 12 day 188 mile backpack on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Virginia in May with an 8 day 128 mile Pennsylvania AT backpack in June. Andy and Dan met in Eckville on Hawk Mountain Road to leave a car and then rode together to the New Jersey side of the Delaware Watergap. We hiked south 62 miles on the AT for 4 days to Andy’s car. We drove back to pick up Dan’s car and then returned to Hamburg on I-78 to check into the Microtel We cleaned up, did laundry, filled up our bodies with food and drink, replaced my broken boots, resupplied our packs and rested.











                              Andy readying pack in NJ                    

We started the second 4 day section by driving to the AT on Clarks Valley Road PA-325. We hiked north on the AT for 66 miles (16.4, 17.4, 21.4 and 11.9 miles respectively) to Eckville completing the AT in Pennsylvania.                                                                                                     Starting AT in PA                  

The Pennsylvania AT is noted for it’s rocks and deservedly so. The rocks are no worse than elsewhere but they are in such long stretches and variety that they become difficult. We encountered small pointed or edged rocks sticking up that left no space for your foot causing you to trip or wrench your ankles, knees or other body parts. There were stretches of round rocks about the size of a road sub surface that again left no space for the feet and rolled when you stepped on them. We crossed the moraine at the southern terminus of the glacial age which contained all sizes and types of rocks. There were miles of large of rocks in piles that liked to shift under your feet despite being large enough not to do that. There were long ridges of sheet rock that are in the process of being broken up into large boulders and slabs by the frequent freezing and thawing creating interesting scrambling.


                        Turned up stata in NJ at watergap

The trail was not all bad as we had many long sections of good trail for fast track hiking although I don’t recall much of that on day 3. We didn’t climb or descend much because we mostly walked along the ridge. There were occasional gaps which accounted for most of the ups and downs. Crossing the Lehigh River near Palmerton was very rocky, steep and spectacular. It was here that we encountered some trail magic receiving 2 bottles of water from the National Park Service and after climbing the mountain had a cold Yuengling beer each and a donut for breakfast from two 1993 AT through hikers.

Adding to the difficulty of the trail was the hot weather. It was over 90° on some days and over 80° most other days. It didn’t always cool off at night for good sleeping as it was 70° two nights and 68° several                                   1st campsite on cliffs                          other nights. It is very dry now so many springs are dry or very low. Since we were walking the ridges the water was usually down the rocky mountain side up to .6 miles one way. Consequently we walked a bit more than the 128 trail miles as we frequently had to get water off trail. It is particularly dry north of the Lehigh River. We had one 14 mile stretch with no water. I foolishly miscalculated my water for this section and ended up out of water and badly dehydrated near the road junction. We were faced with a mile walk each way into Danielsville along a hot exposed road and then carrying a lot of heavy water back up the mountain to a camp site. Fortunately a trail angel had left gallons of unopened bottled water at the road with the message “Godspeed”. This saved us as we were headed into the desolated area deforested by the zinc processing factory in Palmerton.

We had a short heavy rain on day 4 in Hamburg as we sat in a restaurant. We dodged that bullet. However, on day 7 our last night of camping as we were camped high on a ridge next to a spring above Port Clinton, a violent thunderstorm with high winds passed through for hours keeping us awake. We both managed to stay dry despite the extended heavy rain and my tent wasn’t that wet when I packed it up in the morning.

We hiked mostly under tree cover everyday except for the 5 mile zinc devastated area. They were mostly deciduous trees with evergreens in some areas. We enjoyed the flowers but they were not as prevalent as in Virginia a month ago. We did see many mountain azaleas in bloom everyday. There were a few rhododendrons in bloom. We saw many flowers that had long thin bladed leaves with a cluster of white blooms on the end of a long thin stem much like a bottle brush. Surprisingly, because we were on a dry ridge most of the time, we saw large fields of delicate lacy ferns everyday. They were very pleasant to hike through. We enjoyed foraging along the trail especially the abundant blueberries. They impeded our progress and were especially good in the zinc devastated area, Maybe the zinc made them good? We also enjoyed a few black raspberries and a cherry tree.

We saw hundreds of squirrels, chipmunks and some very large rabbits. We saw one or more deer everyday. They were beautiful animals as their coat was reddish brown and very clean and healthy looking. They usually didn’t run but stood along the trail and we watched each other as we passed. When they run they are so graceful as they leap over obstructions in the woods. I saw an animal that looked like a bobcat but couldn’t be sure. We saw turkeys a couple of times, a vulture and numerous smaller birds too many to mention.

We encountered many through hikers we had met in Virginia last month including 6’ 1.5” blonde Swissmiss. Some recognized us and we talked to them. We met new people as well including Rich trail name Doc, also section hiking south, and a through hiker whose book has just been listed in the ATC catalogue. I also had an interesting encounter at Fisher Overlook on the first day of summer. Walking about 50 yards off the trail to the overlook I spotted a young man totally nude and his female companion with a few skimpy strings of flowers hanging from her waist. As I turned to quickly retreat to the trail, she called out “Happy summer”.

Despite the difficulties, being a little footsore and weary, we had an interesting backpack that left us with a sense of accomplishment as we both finished the AT in Pennsylvania.
































06 BACKPACK PENNSYLVANIA

$11.48
DayJuneFriActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
1164:00Run 5.1
6:02DriveColumbia
Drive1.5US-291.5
Drive6.5I-708.0
SunDrive5.0I-69513.0
Up Drive8.0I-8321.0
05:15 Drive72.0I-81 Harrisburg93.0
Drive19.0I-78 112.0
Drive28.0I-78 Exit 9 PA-61140.0
9:45Drive5.0PA-61 to PA-895 to Hawk Mt Road157.440°38.01'N75°57.67'W$7.85
Drive5.0I-78 Exit 11162.4
Drive18.0US-22180.4
Drive16.0PA-33196.4
Drive24.0PA-611220.4
Drive4.0Water Gap Parking224.4
Down11:00BackpackDelaware River Bridge & Cafe 350 $12.00
09:0012:00Backpack0.2PA-611 (R:PO,M.1W:L,M.4W:G,L3.2W)0.22100Pack 24.6lb
Backpack0.7Council Rock0.9w no water &
DarkBackpack0.8Lookout Rock1.7poles
9:00Backpack1.0Mt Mensi 2.7146188°Long ridge
Backpack2.0Totts Gap4.7walk
Backpack1.9Kirkridge Shelter (Sw) - Met Karen Lutz6.61500
Backpack0.6Fox Gap, PA-1917.2
Backpack1.6Wolf Rocks8.8
Backpack5.5Camp14.3
Camp5.5Camp14.39802760108018:2468°
7:30Hydrate2 cups each of ice tea,veg soup,bouillon,chocolate
9:00Supper14.3Spaghetti, chocolate pudding
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DayJuneSatActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
2175:55Up,pack&eatGORP 63°
Sun7:03BackpackCamp14.3
UpBackpack1.5PA-33 R(PO,G,L,M1E:L.1W) in Wind Gap15.8
05:14Backpack1.0Hahn's Lookout16.83100
Supper3.6Leroy A Smith Shelter (Sw) (S.1E:w.2E)20.41525
Backpack1.2Water21.686°
Backpack3.5Smith Gap Road (w1W)25.1
Lunch2 tortillas,cheese,salsa,3 cookies25.1
Backpack2.5Delps Trail27.6
Down03:00Backpack4.8Little Gap R(PO,G,L,M1E;w1.2W) in Danielsville32.4
06:56Backpack1.3Camp33.7
CampBy stream33.723602490310:5686°
Hydrate2 cups each of ice tea,veg soup,bouillon,chocolate
Supper16.9Chili & potatoes, pistachio pudding
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DayJuneSunActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
3185:52Up,pack&eatGORP68°
6:13BackpackCamp33.7
Sun7:20Backpack3.3PA-248 R36.9
UpBackpack0.2Lehigh River Bridge,PA-873 R(PO,G,L,M2W) Palmerton37.1
05:12Backpack0.1Lehigh Gap PA-873 R(PGLM 2E) Slatington37.2
Backpack0.6George W Outerbridge Shelter Swtd>37.891°
Backpack4.4Ashfield Road R(PG2.2W;w.7E) Ashfield34.5
Backpack2.4Bake Oven Knob Shelter (Sw)44.61560
Lunch0.6Bake Oven Knob Shelter (Sw) 45.2
Backpack0.4Bake Oven Knob Road R 45.6
DownBackpack1.4Bear Rocks47.0
06:5757Backpack0.7The Cliffs47.7
Backpack1.0New Tripoli Campsite (Cw.2W)48.7
3:48Backpack1.8PA-309 Blue Mt Summit (RLMw)50.5$6.00
3:486:30Camp0.5Camp43.01330134039:29
8:19Hydrate2 cups each of ice tea,veg soup,bouillon,chocolate
Supper14.1Rice, turkey & coconut cream pudding
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DayJuneMonActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
4195:52Up,pack&eatGORP
Sun7:28BackpackCamp51.0
UpBackpack1.7Fort Franklin Road R52.7
06:00Backpack1.9Allentown Hiking Club Shelter (Sw)54.6
Backpack1.3Tri County Corner55.91560
11:2011:20Backpack6.1Hawk Mountain Road - Eckville Shelter62.0600
11.0$11.97
DriveEckville Parking0.0
Drive5.0I-78 Exit 115.0
DownDrive18.0US-2223.0
09:00Drive16.0PA-3339.0
Drive24.0PA-61163.0
Drive4.0Water Gap Parking67.0
Drive4.0PA-3371.0
Drive24.0US-2295.0
Drive16.0I-78111.0
Drive23.0Microtel #203134.0$92.54
LunchBurger King$5.72
Lunch 2Wendy's$6.72
ResupplyCabela's boots$44.95
LaundryMicrotel$3.00
9:00SupperCracker Barrel$14.77
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DayJuneTueActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
5205:30Up,pack&eatMotel breakfast
$7.09
7:30DriveMotel
7:30Drive5.0I-785.0
7:30Drive17.0I-78 Exit 11 PA-14322.0
7:30Drive5.0PA-61 - PA-895 - r on ? to Eckville Parking27.0
7:30Drive5.0I-78 Exit 932.0
7:30Drive28.0I-8160.0
7:30Drive22.0US-322 & US-2282.0
7:30Drive6.0PA-22588.0
7:30Drive2.0PA-32590.0
7:30Drive9.0AT Parking99.0
9:20BackpackPA-325, Clarks Valley62.0550 73°
SunBackpack3.0Stoney Mt; Horseshoe Trail65.01650
UpBackpack3.4Yellow Springs Village Site68.4
06:00Backpack0.8Cold Spring Trail70.7
Hike0.8Cold Spring71.5
Lunch2 tortillas,cheese,salsa,3 cookies
Backpack2.3Rausch Gap Shelter (S,w.3E)73.8980
Backpack4.6PA-443; Green Point R78.4480
4:00Camp1.0Camp by stream65.61070199026:0077°
DownHydrate2 cups each of ice tea,veg soup,bouillon,chocolate
09:007:45Supper16.4Chicken Teriyaki,butterscotch pudding79°
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DayJuneWedActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
6215:42Up,pack&eatGORP
6:24BackpackCamp78.4 57°
Sun07:30Backpack1.4Swatara Gap PA-72 (RCGLM 2E)79.8
UpBackpack0.4I-8180.2
06:0010:00Backpack6.9Blue Mt Spring, William Penn Shelter87.11380
Backpack2.2PA-64589.3
Backpack1.9PA-501 Pine Grove (POM3.7W;Sw.1W;G4.3W;L5.7W)91.2 73°
Backpack0.5Trail to Pilger Ruth Spring (Cw)91.7
Backpack2.6Round Head & Shower Steps (w)94.3
Lunch2 tortillas,cheese,salsa,3 cookies94.3
DownBackpack2.5Hertlein Campsite (Cw)96.8 77°
3:15Camp1.7Camp96.8.8 3200205038:53
Hydrate2 cups each of ice tea,veg soup,bouillon,chocolate
Supper18.4Beef Stroganoff,pistachio pudding72°
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DayJuneThuActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
7225:12Up,pack&eatGORP
Sun5:45BackpackHertlein Campsite (Cw)96.870°
UpBackpack0.1Shuberts Gap96.9
06:00Backpack3.3Ft Dietrich Snyder Marker (w.2W)100.22720Black snake
Backpack0.3PA-183 Rentschler Marker100.51440
Backpack1.3Black Swatara Spring (w.3W)101.8
Backpack3.8Sand Spring Trail (w.2E)105.6
Backpack0.7Eagle's Nest Shelter (Sw.3W)106.3
Backpack1.9Shartlesville Cross Mt Road (POGLM3.6E)108.291°
11:25Lunch2 tortillas,cheese,salsa,3 cookies108.2
Backpack2.7Phillip's Canyon Spring (w)110.9
Backpack4.0Port Clinton (PO;LS.5W;GML3E)114.9
1:50DinnerPort Clinton Hotel114.9 400 $14.50
Backpack0.7PA-61 (M.5W)115.6
4:20Backpack2.6Pocahontas Spring (Cw;LM1E)118.22670
09:005:55CampPocahontas Spring (Cw;LM1E)118.23760275039:4081°
Hydrate2 cups each of ice tea,veg soup,bouillon,chocolate
Supper21.4Ham, cheese, macaroni, coconut cream pudding
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DayJuneFriActivityMilesLocationMilesElevUpDownClimbsHoursTempCost
8235:14Up,pack&eatGORP
Sun5:45BackpackCamp118.2 68°
UpBackpack2.6Windsor Furnace (Cw.5E)120.8
06:00Backpack0.2Windsor Furnace Shelter (Sw)121.0
Backpack1.6Pulpit Rock122.62676
Backpack1.8Trail to Blue Rocks Camp (CGS1.5E)124.4 940
Backpack0.4The Pinnacle124.81582
9:53Backpack5.3Hawk Mountain Road, Eckville Shelter130.1 1470194024:09
11.9130.1
Down4:00DriveHawk Mountain Road
09:00Drive5.0PA-8955.0
Drive5.0PA-6110.0
Drive14.0US-209 Pottsville24.0
BrunchRobin's Diner24.0
Drive17.0PA-32541.0
Drive12.0AT parking - pick up car53.0
Drive9.0PA-22562.0
Drive2.0US-322 & US-2264.0
Drive6.0I-8170.0
Drive2.0I-8372.0
Drive72.0I-695144.0
Drive8.0I-70152.0
Drive5.0US-29157.0
7:25Drive7.0Home - Total 507.8 miles driven164.0


PACKING LIST

EquipmentWt-ozClothesWtFoodWt
Backpack42.0Bermudas14.0Breakfast (3)
Poles (2)17.0T-shirts (2)26.0  Gorp (2)4.0
Tent24.0Shorts (2)6.0Lunch (3)4.0
Ground clothSocks (2)9.0  Tortillas (8)4.0
Pegs (8)4.0Liners (4)4.0  Cheese (3)4.0
Sleeping bag48.0Jacket22.0  Salsa verde 7 oz16.0
Silk liner4.0Camera4.0  Cookies (9)12.0
Mattress13.0Log,maps,etcDinner (3)
Pot & lid8.0  Beef spaghettiFood 5 lbs
Stove0.2  Potato&beef9.0Clothes 2 lb 15 oz
Fuel bottle1.0  Rice,broccoli&ham8.0Pack w poles 23 lbs. no water
Heet fuel12.0  Pudding6.0
Lighter0.5    Chocolate10.0
Soap4.0    Pistachio8.0
Dish towel0.2    Coconut cream
Towel1.0Hydration
Iodine tabs1.0  Coco (3))4.0
Spoon0.2  Bouillon (3)1.0
Micro multi tool3.0    Chicken6.0
Water bottle (2)    Beef
Toilet paper7.0  Tea (3)
Sponge0.2  Soup (3)3.0
Light7.0  Ice tea4.0
Sew kit0.5  Gatoraid5.0
Duct tape1.0
Tootbrush&paste4.0
Cup5.0
Ounces207.885.0113.0
Pounds12.995.317.06
WearResupply
Montrail Boots40.0Heet fuel12.0
Socks4.5Peanutbutter crackers (2)
Liners2.0Gorp (2)
Burmudas14.0Rice Teriyaki&ham4.0
Shorts3.0Beef Stroganoff4.0
Wicking T-shirt13.0Blueberry (2)4.0
Altimeter watch3.0Turkey pasta4.0
Tortillas (2)17.0
Total79.5Cheese (1)13.0
Pounds4.97Salsa verde 7 oz
Soup (3)
Bouillon (5)
Coco (3)
Pudding (3)
  Butterscotch
  Pistachio
  Coconut cream
Tea (3)


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    Last updated June 29, 2006