View Full Version : Help with the PA AT
I am new to backpacking/hiking but thoroughly enjoy it. I am looking for a 2 or 3 day hike for a friend and myself on the AT in Pennsylvania. I live in the Lehigh Valley. I would prefer something with great views but am open to anything. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
Lol. That one is set up on a tee. Do the 36 miles from Lehigh River near Palmerton/Slatington north to Delaware Water Gap. The climb out is sensational. The views back down on the river are great. And then you have the moonscape on top. The last stretch is rockier than hell, so you could always bail at Wind Gap and only do 21.
If you do this, I suggest stashing a gallon or two of water at Little Gap, 5 miles north of the Lehigh River. That stretch has little water, with the next water on the trail from Little Gap being 10 miles away.
shaggy2004
03-30-2008, 01:12
Hey, I'm definitely not disagreeing with Yahtzee but if it were me (and if the drive isn't too bad for you) I think I would consider going up to the water gap and going north from there a few days, maybe to High Point park or so. That'd probably be between 12 and 15 miles a day or if that's too far there are other places to get off before then. I just say that because I remember that area being really pretty with lots of views from the grassy ridge tops in NJ. Oh, plus there's sunfish pond which is kind of nice. Just my two cent. Enjoy your hike wherever you end up going.
camojack
03-30-2008, 01:19
Hey, I'm definitely not disagreeing with Yahtzee but if it were me (and if the drive isn't too bad for you) I think I would consider going up to the water gap and going north from there a few days, maybe to High Point park or so. That'd probably be between 12 and 15 miles a day or if that's too far there are other places to get off before then. I just say that because I remember that area being really pretty with lots of views from the grassy ridge tops in NJ. Oh, plus there's sunfish pond which is kind of nice. Just my two cent. Enjoy your hike wherever you end up going.
The A.T. in NJ is nice...but the question was about the A.T. in PA.
Since the questioner is in the Lehigh Valley, the view from atop Lehigh Gap is nice, if you don't look too hard at the aftermath of the zinc mining operation; as for the view looking into the valley, you can see for miles and miles.
A good stretch for the area might be from Lehigh Gap to the Delaware Water Gap. I help to maintain a section in the middle of that, from Little Gap to Wind Gap...
_terrapin_
03-30-2008, 01:19
Maybe it was just a fine day or something, but I really enjoyed the climb southward out of Delaware Water Gap. A nice gentle climb, a flowing stream (in August!!) and great views back north across the river...
Jaybird62
03-30-2008, 01:31
I agree that Lehigh gap north would be a good choice.
Hey man, lehigh gap for sure ... there's also a spot south of allentown hiking shelter about 13 miles called the pinnacle ... prolly best views in PA ... you could make the walk from port clinton, pa .. to 309 summit ... 27 mile hike, 3 days its about 8 miles a day ... there's also that 34 miles from 309 to wind gap takes ya thro palmerton there and dead hills from zinc mining ... cool place to see, also get a heck of a climb up if your going from 309 to wind gap , or wind gap to 309 a heck of a climb down ... you can shorten the hikes by jumpin on side roads ... like bake oven knob ... or ashfield road ....
Thanks for all your help!
Oh, I agree that the climb into Jersey is a nice one. They could go to Culver's Gap 28 miles into NJ. That way they also get to hang at Sunfish Pond. But for views, I'd still go Palmerton north.
Can't go wrong either way.
Toolshed
03-30-2008, 18:51
Hi Neighbor,
Welcome aboard!!!!
Anywhere you hike in PA is going to be green tunnels interspersed with a nice view here or there, but my favorite hikes are from Duncannon North to Swatara Gap and Then hamburg North to DWG.
I also like everything south of Duncannon...Oh and that piece between swatara and Hamburg is pretty nice too. :D:D:D
Seriously, I would rank Duncannon to Swatara #1, Hamburg N to DWG as #2 and Caledonia SP to Boiling Springs as #3.
Check out Allentown Hiking Club (http://www.allentownhikingclub.) or the Susquehanna ATC (http://www.satc-hike.org/hikes.html)- you can get on some dayhikes and samples some areas witouht carrying a backpack
Hi Neighbor,
Welcome aboard!!!!
Anywhere you hike in PA is going to be green tunnels interspersed with a nice view here or there, but my favorite hikes are from Duncannon North to Swatara Gap and Then hamburg North to DWG.
I also like everything south of Duncannon...Oh and that piece between swatara and Hamburg is pretty nice too. :D:D:D
Seriously, I would rank Duncannon to Swatara #1, Hamburg N to DWG as #2 and Caledonia SP to Boiling Springs as #3.
Check out Allentown Hiking Club (http://www.allentownhikingclub.) or the Susquehanna ATC (http://www.satc-hike.org/hikes.html)- you can get on some dayhikes and samples some areas witouht carrying a backpack
That's great. That's my home section. Especially Peter's Mt. Once you know the spots to check out, there are some neat little views on that Mt. The area around Rausch Gap is beautiful, as well. Nice to know someone just passing thru sees the beauty in that area. It would be easy to overlook.
thats just cause PA rocks!!!
^^-- Get it? ... rocks?! ... lmao
scout005
03-30-2008, 21:46
Go north from Clarks Creek through St. Anthony's Wilderness and maybe finish at 501 shelter. Nicest section in PA, I think. Rausch Gap shelter is about 10 trail miles north from Clarks Creek. A few views but really nice hike.
When are ya goin? In the next month or so I will be going from Lehigh gap to DWG on a weekend trip. Mabye I'll see yaz out there.
Not sure, Sly. Hopefully the end of April or the beginning of May providing the weather is cooperative.