View Full Version : NJ section question. Re: Parking
Me and my friend are planning to do our first ever section hike on the AT! i was using google earth and saw that there is 2 parking lots near the woods, right at the end of the rt 80 bridge. (im assuming that is trail parking?). I know for a fact that you can park at high point state park. So would it be possible for me and my friend drive to high point in diffrent cars, drop one car off there, then he would get it my car and we would drive south to the bridge and park there. Then after we hike to high point, we'd both drive back to my waiting car near the bridge. Get what im trying to say?
if that is at all possible i have a couple more questions.
1 - is it safe to park and leave your car in those spots?
2 - do you have to inform local police that you will be leaving them there?
3 - how long do you think it would take to hike from the bridge to highpoint?
4 - does this idea sound dumb?
forgive me for my new-ness, i just want to get on the trail!!!!:banana
saimyoji
09-13-2006, 18:04
The two on the north side of I80 are for the Dunnfield Creek area. You can park there, but not recommended for overnights. You can park across the road at the ranger station. Let them know your itinerary and you should have no problems.
Alligator
09-13-2006, 18:09
Me and my friend are planning to do our first ever section hike on the AT! i was using google earth and saw that there is 2 parking lots near the woods, right at the end of the rt 80 bridge. (im assuming that is trail parking?). I know for a fact that you can park at high point state park. So would it be possible for me and my friend drive to high point in diffrent cars, drop one car off there, then he would get it my car and we would drive south to the bridge and park there. Then after we hike to high point, we'd both drive back to my waiting car near the bridge. Get what im trying to say?
if that is at all possible i have a couple more questions.
1 - is it safe to park and leave your car in those spots?
2 - do you have to inform local police that you will be leaving them there?
3 - how long do you think it would take to hike from the bridge to highpoint?
4 - does this idea sound dumb?
forgive me for my new-ness, i just want to get on the trail!!!!:bananaThat's a cool use of google earth. I parked my car in the parking area located in NJ at DWG for one week. I'm pretty sure this is where you are talking about. There was a ranger station/post there, but there was some flooding (not too recent) and I don't know the current situation.
1. I didn't have any problems there.
2. If the ranger station is open, let them know the car will be there for several days.
3. 41.5 miles. 3-4 days. I'd say 3 nights 4 days. It's an easy section but I don't know how used to hiking you are. You are knew right?
4. It's a great idea. Go for it. My buddy and I always shuttle with 2 cars if not doing a loop.
That's a cool use of google earth. I parked my car in the parking area located in NJ at DWG for one week. I'm pretty sure this is where you are talking about. There was a ranger station/post there, but there was some flooding (not too recent) and I don't know the current situation.
1. I didn't have any problems there.
2. If the ranger station is open, let them know the car will be there for several days.
3. 41.5 miles. 3-4 days. I'd say 3 nights 4 days. It's an easy section but I don't know how used to hiking you are. You are knew right?
4. It's a great idea. Go for it. My buddy and I always shuttle with 2 cars if not doing a loop.
Everything Alligator says is right on the money. You don't mention when you plan to hike.
Fall colors should be great in mid October.
Everyone is correct. Parking long distance at Dunnfield Creek is not recommended. Break-ins and sketchy behavior happens there (right next to interstate).
You wanna contact Worthington State forest. The headquarters is 3 miles down Old Mine Road from the gap. Very friendly rangers there. Ask to speak with M.P. she is a sweetheart. They will probably let you leave a car there, just let them know, and give them ur plates.
High Point state park, same thing. They have an extended hiker lot, but you need to register with them and let them know.
4 days is completely sufficient, great section!
Toolshed
09-13-2006, 20:21
Ditto Ditto Ditto
Starting from I-80, you want to make sure you have enough time so that if the Backpackers camping area is full (might be on Thu-Sun nights in Fall) that you have enough time to get out of Worthington State Forest. I think the next "legal spot to camp is in the hollow just before rattlesnake mountain and the summit of Rattlesnake is great as well.
Otherwise it is a 4 mile hike to Brinks Road Shelter and I would prolly rather stay anywhere than there again.
FWIW, I do know that folks have stayed just off the old road (now part of the trail) within a mile or so of Blue Mountain Lakes (BML)Road (with the views to the east).
I don't have my map with me but I am sure Worthington SF goes well past Crater Lake.
Also, there is good water at the pump in the clearing right at the junction with BML road - the pump is just to teh left of the trail. It was running well this spring.
I agree with all posts. BTW this is not a dumb idea. I just did this exact trip last week of August. Had a great time. Terrain was easy so 4 days will do it. Have fun!
mbroadhe
09-14-2006, 01:14
Good info here on parking - http://appalachiantrail.rohland.org/
Whenever I hike that area you speak of, I park on the PA side off 611 along the trail. The parking lot there is well off the main road and can barely be seen. The problem there is you have to take the walk across rt. 80 bridge. Personally, I sacrifice that extra 1 mile for my cars safety.
saimyoji
09-14-2006, 01:31
Good info here on parking - http://appalachiantrail.rohland.org/
Whenever I hike that area you speak of, I park on the PA side off 611 along the trail. The parking lot there is well off the main road and can barely be seen. The problem there is you have to take the walk across rt. 80 bridge. Personally, I sacrifice that extra 1 mile for my cars safety.
Yep, however, I have seen young kids messing around at the pond near there on week days, clearly up to no good. It is an isolated spot, but with that kind of isolation with no supervision comes certain risks. But then, hell, you run a pretty large risk just driving to the trail head.
Did this same hike, car to car last spring. the ranger station off of I-80 had just been flooded and was closed. There was no parking allowed in this flooded lot area. We parked on the opposite side of I-80 where other hiker cars were parked - don't remember the name of the lot. **Good hike** just beware of the large bear population in this area - you will see bear boxes around designated camping areas and shelters. We took 4 days, 3 nights that roughly averages 10 mls a day.
vipahman
09-29-2006, 16:52
I parked at the lot south of I-80. Took 3 days to get to High Point. Be prepared to hike over every rock in the Kittatinies.
As to whether it's safe, I don't know. Everything was fine when I got back but then the vandals could have been working in PA. :eek: