Info, questions, comments, experiences (good or bad) regarding - Bake Oven Knob Shelter

Past/Present hikers - what can future hikers expect here? Have any good stories or memories from here?

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This shelter is in PA. It is very old, very small. There is a resident snake that likes to crawl around in the shelter but he/she must be a vegetarian because there are also a number of resident mice. There is a tenting spot just of to the right. Water is very far down the mountain in dry months. Early June of this year it was way down there. No privy. -- Not the nicest of places to plan on staying. If you have water there are much nicer sites along the trail. Of course, after a long day or bad weather... (Loved the rock climbs before it.) Also if heading north and it is close to sunset stay up on the rocks at the summit and watch the sunset before the half mile hike down to the shelter. HH

definately one to avoid,

Slept at this shelter 24. August 2003 or thereabouts on a section hike of the PA rocks. Needs a privy! The presently active spring is about 12-15 min downhill, but good flow. Skeeters numerous. Noise from Bake Oven Knob Road sometimes bothersome. Resident mouse has reduced the margins of the shelter register to bedding material. This shelter is the opposite extreme from the Allentown shelter.

Walt

i just want to say how valuable this forum is! am planning a trip through PA this weekend, will stay at new tripoli campsite instead of this shelter (after reading this thread, of course!)

You practically have to get on your knees to crawl in ...but on a rainy night in 2003 it sure came in handy !!

'Slogger
AT 2003

bag o tricks told me not drink from the spring on a hike i did nov 2003
he said some butt hole took a dump in the spring and whiped their butt
and left toilet paper in spring,bag o tricks is a trail maintainer/trail angel
in that area,that is sick,and very in human:cool: neo

It was built in 1937. Might be the oldest shelter on the AT.

yep it is very small. we arrived as a rain storm was ending. two people in the shelter with a dog who was covering about half of the space in there (not saying all that much since it is so tiny)

there are some good campsites right next to the shelter and across the trail

spring is very far away downhill. long way to take a dump

We were there July 3rd, 2005. It is very small and rustic, just a platform with space underneath for rodents and snakes, and the wire grill is damaged, so I'll bet there is plenty of wildlife there at night. There was a lot of activity around it, so we just stopped in to see what it looked like. Someone left a plastic Gatorade bottle and there was a very trail weary dog hanging out with his human hiking companion. Two companion hikers stopped to eat, and we heard activity there all night after we made camp nearby. The water is waaaaay down the trail and it wasn't fit for filtering and treating, much less anything else. There hadn't been much rain in awhile, perhaps there is a better supply of water other times of the year.

We hiked in for an over-night and used a clearing to the West of the trail that is well-used, but private. There are several campsites around the area, it's near a busy Pennsylvania spot where young locals often come to drink beer and party at the Bake Oven knob lookout point. Getting to this shelter from the South is lots of fun if you love Rocksylvania mountain climbing. And we do!

We were there July 3rd, 2005. It is very small and rustic, just a platform with space underneath for rodents and snakes, and the wire grill is damaged, so I'll bet there is plenty of wildlife there at night. There was a lot of activity around it, so we just stopped in to see what it looked like. Someone left a plastic Gatorade bottle and there was a very trail weary dog hanging out with his human hiking companion. Two companion hikers stopped to eat, and we heard activity there all night after we made camp nearby. The water is waaaaay down the trail and it wasn't fit for filtering and treating, much less anything else. There hadn't been much rain in awhile, perhaps there is a better supply of water other times of the year.

We hiked in for an over-night and used a clearing to the West of the trail that is well-used, but private. There are several campsites around the area, it's near a busy Pennsylvania spot where young locals often come to drink beer and party at the Bake Oven knob lookout point. Getting to this shelter from the South is lots of fun if you love Rocksylvania mountain climbing. And we do!

This is the smallest - and the oldest - shelter on BMECC's section of the Trail. It was built in 1937, and was adequately-sized until the backpacking boom in the '70's. It is located on Pa. Game Commission land, and because of the anticipated permitting problems with multiple state agencies - as well as a lack of manpower to build and run it - there are currently no plans to build a privy at this site. Sorry.:( Because of the lack of a privy and difficulty in getting water from any of the 3 springs down below the shelter, most of the problems associated with a shelter this close to a road do not exist. It's about as primitive as you can get these days, but it's a welcome sight in a downpour!:)

It was adequately sized until people started getting taller, I think. I'd recommend stopping by to see this shelter, and then moving on. Don't count on water here -- the top two sources are often dry and the third is a long way down off the ridge.

If you're northbound and you pass Allentown Shelter to get here you're going to be mad at yourself.

You practically have to get on your knees to crawl in ...but on a rainy night in 2003 it sure came in handy !!

'Slogger
AT 2003

AMEN TO THAT!!

I spent the night there all by my lonesome in 03, well me and the snake, and it was lumpy, there were no mice...

It thunderstormed that night like I have never seen before in my life but I stayed dry and slept in the next day!!

It was adequately sized until people started getting taller, I think. I'd recommend stopping by to see this shelter, and then moving on. Don't count on water here -- the top two sources are often dry and the third is a long way down off the ridge.

If you're northbound and you pass Allentown Shelter to get here you're going to be mad at yourself.


I guess I should have been a little more clear on the "size" of the place - not head-room, but rather carrying capacity. I agree that anyone over 5'6" will have to duck down, but in bad weather, any solid structure is a blessing. Besides, Allentown is nice and new and very well planned and executed, but there's still a lot to be said for rustic, and that's what Bake Oven Knob is. It is definitely a link to the time in which it was built.

It's unfortunate that, in Pa., water on the ridgetop has always been a problem. There is no solution except to go DOWN. In 20+ years, I've never seen that third spring fail, but I have seen it run really slow in dry years. I think that we are going to see the ridgetop water supply become more of a problem due to development. As more country homes and industries sink wells for water, the water table drops more, and the higher springs are affected first. When I joined BMECC, some of the old-timers pointed out several springs that "never" went dry. (Sand Spring, a few miles south of Eagle's Nest shelter was one of these.) But many of these now dry up for weeks at a time, and I believe that development in the valleys is the main cause. (The springs that drain off the north face of the ridge are less affected because the development is less there.)

Recently cleaned (last time I was there it was a trash dump ****hole). Some chubknockers tried to start a campfire on the picnic table, even though there's a fire ring. Tent area is well groomed, more camp sites along the trail should take some pressure off this shelter.

Spring was gushing.

Interesting excerpt from the register: "Adam's yeast infection smells like his socks and is getting worse."

Other entries in the register note 24 people sleeping in the shelter one night. And I've got a bridge for sale, just north of the shelter over the Lehigh.

Other entries in the register note 24 people sleeping in the shelter one night. And I've got a bridge for sale, just north of the shelter over the Lehigh.

If there were 24 people sleeping IN that shelter, they must have been REALLY close friends!!! :eek:

i was there on march 16th, 2008 again. the springs were all gushing because of a few hours of heavy rain that morning. i read in the trail journal about the 24 people sleeping in the shelter. it was posted by some 8 year-olds i think. a lady responded later in the book about telling them that it was built for 6, but in bad weather it could fit more. she said she made up a number to tell them when they asked her how many could possibly fit. it was a nice weekend, chilly untill the sun came out, but in the evening and early mornings it snowed. the shelter wasn't bad, but i cleaned it. if you need any fire wood, by the second spring are many trees and dead branches that fell down. we had a fire going for hours with this wood.

As a local, i hike and camp past this shelter multiple times a year ... i've shown up there with the area trimmed and clean ... prolly shortly after maintence went thro ... I've also been thro with the shelter in complete disaster ... the problem is, kids get up the mountain and party at the shelter .... there's PLENTY of camping areas around the shelter and along the trail from 309 south of bake oven to ashfield road north of bake oven ... Cops have been up there plenty of times for car break in's on over nighter's ... The 3 springs at this shelter are iffy, the top spring runs well during spring and rainfalls ... the second one down is alittle more reliable ... and like the guy above me said ... i've never seen the third run in the least ... I'd consider the area just fine for passing thro if in a tent, but i wouldn't "even being local" sleep in the shelter.

Bake Oven could have some of the best small shelters from rock overhangs. Always be on the lookout for snakes and spiders.
http://www.alphabluetech.com/kjhanlon/images/Picz/Albums/BOK/slides/100_3525.JPG
You'll get a lot of these guys around and they can web fast.

We were talking about this shelter in another thread, so I thought I'd pull up this old photo (c. 1996). It hasn't changed much over the years - it's small, but it's a welcome retreat from the rain and wind.

Built in 1937, this shelter was the site of BMECC's ceremonies to officially open the section of the Appalachian Trail from the Susquehanna River to the Lehigh River. It may be the oldest shelter on the AT in the mid-Atlantic region.

As of today, the shelter was clean, no trash at all, no hiker "left overs" though there were a few paperback novels. The only spring running is #3, way down the hill. I questioned the trail blazing to the last spring as I got totally turned around on the way up. Lightheaded thirsty hikers could easily end up on BOK road, instead of back at the shelter. :D

When I was there it was a real mess, trail journal was shredded, cleaned up a bit and slept in a tent. Saw a flying squirrel. Nice picnic table!

Oldie not a goodie.

We were talking about this shelter in another thread, so I thought I'd pull up this old photo (c. 1996). It hasn't changed much over the years - it's small, but it's a welcome retreat from the rain and wind.

Built in 1937, this shelter was the site of BMECC's ceremonies to officially open the section of the Appalachian Trail from the Susquehanna River to the Lehigh River. It may be the oldest shelter on the AT in the mid-Atlantic region.

A little hard to tell from the photo but it looks to be of the same design and vintage as Leroy Smith shelter... Agree with Del Q, "oldie not a goodie."

A little hard to tell from the photo but it looks to be of the same design and vintage as Leroy Smith shelter... Agree with Del Q, "oldie not a goodie."

No, Leroy Smith is newer than that. It was built in 1972 and is a bit different from Bake Oven Knob, being a more dressed and better joined construction. But you're right, both are pretty small and I'd prefer not to sleep in either (well, okay, any shelter.) But Smith is very well maintained.

Shelterbuilder, Bake Oven Knob is only the oldest in the mid-Atlantic if you're not counting NY. Two of the three stone shelters in Harriman State Park (Fingerboard and West Mountain) date from 1928. They're wonderful pieces of architecture (what I've dubbed "Sleepy Hollow Rustic") but I'd avoid sleeping in one like the plague; damp, drafty, and Fingerboard has bats (or at least had them before Colony Collapse Disorder hit) living in the roof beams. Quite lovely if you're sitting out front watching them fly at dusk, but not so good if you're sleeping directly under them.:D

Strategic:

This is interesting stuff and you seem very well informed.

I hope you start posting here more often.

Shelterbuilder, Bake Oven Knob is only the oldest in the mid-Atlantic if you're not counting NY. Two of the three stone shelters in Harriman State Park (Fingerboard and West Mountain) date from 1928. They're wonderful pieces of architecture (what I've dubbed "Sleepy Hollow Rustic") but I'd avoid sleeping in one like the plague; damp, drafty, and Fingerboard has bats (or at least had them before Colony Collapse Disorder hit) living in the roof beams. Quite lovely if you're sitting out front watching them fly at dusk, but not so good if you're sleeping directly under them.:D

I love the old shelters and I love the term "Sleepy Hollow Rustic". I stayed in all three this spring. Not only does Fingerboard have the lovely bats, but West Mountain had a resident skunk. My only complaint is that it was too early for much mouse activity and no hikers to snore for me. I agree that Strategic should post more often.

No, Leroy Smith is newer than that. It was built in 1972 and is a bit different from Bake Oven Knob, being a more dressed and better joined construction. But you're right, both are pretty small and I'd prefer not to sleep in either (well, okay, any shelter.) But Smith is very well maintained.

Shelterbuilder, Bake Oven Knob is only the oldest in the mid-Atlantic if you're not counting NY. Two of the three stone shelters in Harriman State Park (Fingerboard and West Mountain) date from 1928. They're wonderful pieces of architecture (what I've dubbed "Sleepy Hollow Rustic") but I'd avoid sleeping in one like the plague; damp, drafty, and Fingerboard has bats (or at least had them before Colony Collapse Disorder hit) living in the roof beams. Quite lovely if you're sitting out front watching them fly at dusk, but not so good if you're sleeping directly under them.:D

Great post! I was unaware of the construction dates of Fingerboard and West Mountain - thanks for correcting me.

Back when many of the "first generation" shelters were being built, there weren't that many people out using them (not like today), and let's face it - you don't build big for a handful of users. Expectations were somewhat different back then, too: somewhere to get in out of the rain or snow was a godsend, no matter how smallish it was. Nowadays, you need to plan for larger groups and more singles, so the shelters have just gotten bigger.

Hope to see you posting here more often! :sun

Anyone know the water situation as of Aug 1st? 08.

Someone else might know, but I wouldn't count on it. There was a good soaker in western Berks County last night. I don't know how large an area was involved in this rain event or whether it was enough to improve the flow of springs on Kittatinny Ridge.

welp, i'll find out tonight and post when i return ... doing a short 309-lehigh gap trip.

Third spring was NOT running as of aug 3rd ... The man's house "Forget his name" just below the spring on the blue blazed trail offers water from his home .... You may have to bush wack to his house, i couldn't find the trail ...

Thank you for your post. Please post information about the springs at New Tripoli Campsite and George W. Outerbridge Shelter in the appropriate locations!

What darkage confirmed is normal and should be expected by hikers at this time of year unless there's a recent, substantial rain event.

sorry i missed this, i could have told you exactly what you found. usually there is a note taped to the tree with the shelter sign on it indicating lack of water. it was there a week ago. that guys house is a long way down aint it?

The guy's name is Craig, and he and his father (and Grandfather before that) own and run the quarry below the shelter. They have always been great friends of the trail (and BMECC), providing water for hikers and access for trail/shelter maintenence. The third spring is, in fact, named for this fellow, who supposedly found it when he was younger, and brought it's existance to the attention of the shelter maintainer at the time.

Anyone know the water situation for these springs? :)

My guess is you'd find water the next 4 days based upon weather forecasts if you're prepared to walk downhill to find it, but I wouldn't rely exclusively upon those springs.

Bring water from home and prepare meals which don't require much for their preparation or clean-up.

Any current info on the state of the 3 springs aug 2009 ?

Heading out this week and wanna know if i need to bladder up and just pass this spring or take the walk down .... most times there are notes ... but i figured i'd check WB.

i'd imagine the third spring would be flowing, but its a long way down. probably better to carry unless you are camping nearby, which i can't imagine why you'd want to. where are you starting from?

Just going from 309 into palmerton ... quick overnight or so taking a friends kid along .... he's 17 and wanted to try it out so i broke out some extra gear and gonna head out ... its what ... 1 1/2 to the third spring ? ... its a heck of a walk but not one i'm not used too .... thanks.

where you gonna camp? there are some sweet spots between ashfield rd. and lehigh gap, specially if you take the north trail.

Stopped here for lunch today on a 16 mile hike from Lehigh Gap and back. No shelter register and a fair bit of trash. We picked up what we could to carry out. There was a lot of trash in various campsites south of Ashfield Rd. My hiking partner carried out two large plastic sheets that were left in one site, and those are now at my house where they'll be used for drop cloths for some future painting projects.

Yeah, sadly their are some homeless around that area ... Could be the remains of them you've packed out ... as a local i thank you for your efforts .... i try also to carry out what i find ... the knob shelter is one of the worst i've seen on the trail ... i wouldn't stay there ...

Too much trail accessible parking. The locals use it as a weekend drinking destination.

I wouldn't stay there either.

Sadly, Bake Oven Knob Shelter gets more than its fair share of abuse. It's a tiny shelter by today's standards (this one was built in the 1930's), and it IS too close to the parking lot. BMECC does its best with this one - and we thank you guys for picking up all of that trash. The other year, I went in at the end of the season, and I personally carried out several bags of trash PLUS some old carpet padding that had been used (apparently) as a foam sleeping pad by someone (homeless, perhaps?).

Over the years, I've seen the same kind of abuse at other shelters that were too easy to reach (notably the Outerbridge Shelter). Decades ago, it was standard practice to build shelters close to the roads so that the maintainers could get in and out easily, but that causes problems with the party crowd and vagrants, so now the prevailing wisdom says to locate shelters no less than 2 miles AWAY from roads. Of course, with a wheelbarrow and coolers on wheels....

Thanks again, guys.:):):)