View Full Version : Where to hike in PA on Monday Dec 29
My nephew (age 16) and I are both off on Monday Dec 29 and we would like to do a day hike on the AT. Trouble is, its still hunting season.
(Deer archery and flintlock Dec 26 thru Jan 10 also Pheasant)
Where could we hike without going thru state game lands?
We are leaving out from Quakertown PA just south of Allentown PA.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Panzer
bullseye
12-28-2008, 01:24
Most of the trail in PA crosses state game lands at varying intervals. The area around the Pinnacles from Windsor Furnace to Eckville might not be a problem since it goes through the Hawk Mt sanctuary. I've hiked many times on the AT in various states during hunting season with no trouble. Wear bright clothing, or at least an orange cap and /or vest to make yourself visible, and don't be shy about making conversation so you'll be heard.
Also, what about the Delaware water gap area. Is there hunting there?
Panzer
bullseye
12-28-2008, 01:33
Not sure about Worthington SF on the Jersey side, but I did see a bow hunter on the trail up to Mt Tammany on 10/18 of this year. I'd imagine the section of trail from the Water Gap up to Sunfish Pond is ok. Not sure about your side of the river though.
North out of Lehigh Gap(Palmerton) area. I enjoyed the rock scamble/climb. The rocks were not terrible for the first 10 miles as I remember.
South from the same point takes you over the more scenic parts of PA (Pinnacle-30 miles away).
Not sure where SGL are or where private property adjoins the AT right of way so wear lots of blaze orange. A lot of PA has SGL blazes/splotches on the AT (facing left and right of trail)as a boundary to notify hunters of the AT's no hunting zone. So if you see a lot of ugly(not rectangular) white splotches then you are in the middle of SGLands.
Hope this helps some. Have a great hike.
The area around The Pinnacle from Windsor Furnace to Eckville might not be a problem since it goes through Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
A portion of the A.T. to which bullseye refers traverses land owned by Borough of Hamburg. The A.T. corridor abuts, but does not pass through HMS.
I'm not certain what their policy is concerning hunting although I expect it's permitted. If I don't modify my post tomorrow, you could call them at 610 562-7821 to ask.
No one who has a reasonable expectation of finding pheasants would be looking for them on Kittatinny Ridge. Click on pheasants (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=159617) and read the linked PGC documents wildlife note and Pennsylvania pheasant history. Some readers may remember pheasant hunting in Pennsylvania during the 1970s which may have been some of the best pheasant hunting available anywhere.
When I visited PGC's Hunting in Pennsylvania (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=460&q=161003), I noticed ruffed grouse and squirrel hunting will be open Monday. While it's possible you may see grouse or squirrel hunters on the A.T., I wouldn't count on it.
Not many more people hunt ruffed grouse than can hit them. Ruffed grouse hunters aren't hunting to put meat on the table as much as for love of the outdoors and the challenge represented by taking a partridge on the wing. Many were the days I hunted without a flush or firing a shot.
bullseye
12-28-2008, 02:10
The portion of the A.T. to which bullseye refers is owned by Borough of Hamburg.
And one of the better sections in PA for views IMHO.
A lot of PA has SGL blazes/splotches on the AT (facing left and right of trail)as a boundary to notify hunters of the AT's no hunting zone. So if you see a lot of ugly(not rectangular) white splotches then you are in the middle of SGLands.
The post above describes what one would see when hiking the A.T. where it crosses a SGL boundary. There is no A.T. safety zone, marked or otherwise.
Also, what about the Delaware water gap area. Is there hunting there?
Panzer
Delaware Water Gap NRA permits hunting in most areas. (http://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/hunting.htm)
I believe HMS on occasion allows limited hunting by permission only. It might be just deer and then only a few days when trails are closed to the public. You might contact them and ask (http://www.hawkmountain.org/index.php?pr=Contact_Us).
There are a number of circuit hikes available. See Visiting Us (http://www.hawkmountain.org/index.php?pr=Visiting_Us#trails) and Hiking at Hawk Mountain (http://hawkmountain.org/index.php?pr=Hiking) for more information.
You might consider hiking at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/noldeforest.aspx). No hunting permitted.
Where could we hike without going thru state game lands?
Panzer
There are few places of any significant size on the A.T. in Pennsylvania where one could be assured of not encountering hunters during open seasons. To answer your question, hikers should purchase and carry KTA's maps, available from ATC or KTA, which show public land boundaries, administrative units and A.T.-maintaining club assignments.
The number of hunters will be much lower now than during the general firearms deer season and they will be carrying less powerful weapons with shorter ranges. Hence, risk is greatly reduced.
If you really want to hike with your nephew on the A.T., you might consider going anyway. Circumstances are different now. You may not see any hunters at all. Fluorescent orange is optional after December 15, but still not a bad idea.
Feel free to PM me for other places you could hike where hunting is not permitted including some I'd rather not broadcast.
Doutful that you want open spaces but if you fear hunters you can always go to Valley Forge. Lots of places to walk/hike and your nephew might enjoy the history.
So many places to visit in Pennsylvania.:) Click on www.schuylkillriver.org (http://www.schuylkillriver.org) for enough to keep you busy for quite some time.
Thanks for all your responses but we decided to put it off until deer season is over on Jan 10. When we first decided to do something tomorrow we didn't realize it was still deer season. His parents don't want their only child out during hunting season. It can wait for another 2 weeks.
Panzer
Two weeks from now, you will have the entire A.T. from which to choose. Until then, you can imagine yourself here (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=18641).
Two weeks from now, you will have the entire A.T. from which to choose. Until then, you can imagine yourself here (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=18641).
Nice picture..
Panzer
hasn't changed much since wise old owl captured that image, but I'm concerned it will no longer appear as it does even before those of us who remember are no longer around to care.
While the founders of BMECC would be pleased to know their dream of a Blue Mountain Wilderness Park has been to a considerable extent realized, I fear some of what they'd see from its promontories might take the wind out of their sails. Share it with someone younger than yourself while it lasts, so they too will learn to value it and remember their responsibility to pass on the gift they were given to the next generation.
Worldwide
12-28-2008, 21:35
Ralph Stover State park along the Delaware river somewhat close to Washingtons Crossing and all the history that goes with it. Also Tyler State Park in Richboro, PA is nice both places keep you close to Q town well in the same county atleast. Also a little known trail is the Schulykill River Scenic trail runs from Phila to the burbs. It is more of a graded path the entire way I recently hiked about 30 miles of it while my car was in the shop. The fun part of the trail is when you pass by Eddie Arnolds indoor go carts ( 50mph eletric!!!) Once you are done there you can go bet on some nags at Oaks Turf club OTB grab a beer and lunch then go hike all the way to Phoenixville!
Worldwide
AT07
GSMNP 08
Schulkykill River Scenic Trail ( section hiker o.O )
Another place closer to Philly where hunting is prohibited. Go here (http://www.bhwp.org/) to learn about what you'll see there.
With all the links I've contributed, maybe I should check my personal carbon footprint before adding more right after I add the next one that came to mind.:D
The following poem was written by Danny Hoch (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=694047&postcount=62) of BMECC in 1932. As a member of The U.S. House of Representatives from Berks, County, Pennsylvania in 1945, he was the first person to propose legislation to protect the A.T. He is the Dan for whom Dan's Pulpit is named.
HIKE WITH US OVER THE TRAIL
Would you quiet your shattered nerves today,
Would you turn away from the noise
Of the busy, bustling, hurrying fray,
Would you gain your manly poise?
If this be your aim, your wish, your need,
If your heartbeats prompt a change,
If your soul is weary of rush and greed,
If your body craves more range,
Then climb with us in the mountain breeze,
Hike with us over the trail;
Look up at the sky, the birds, the trees--
Real friends that never fail.
Drink strong and hard from the mountain spring,
Sit down by the mountain stream.
Keep quiet while thrush and linnet sing--
Just sit and think and dream.
Just open your mind, your heart, your soul,
Let Nature speak to you.
Let Nature make your spirit whole--
Pervade you through and through.
Then down from the mountain top you'll go,
Your spirit refreshed and strong.
You'll be fitted to meet both friend and foe,
For your spirit will be full of song.
Then singing, you'll tackle anew your job,
And singing you'll pitch right in,
For you'll take away from the mountain top
The strength that you need to win.
Wise Old Owl
12-31-2008, 01:10
Shades of Grey gave me a heads up about the thread - thanks, I can easily recommend Valley Forge for a start out place for young kids, AND if haven't noticed Ridley Creek State Park Delaware County west of Philadelphia has thirty miles of trails and on every Sunday is off limits to hunters. Only the northern Horse loop is open Monday to Sat if you can find it (Most folk never get there) Even more protected is the thirty miles of Tyler Aboretum next door to the Ridley Creek. Very Safe! http://www.tylerarboretum.org/ Great for kids - best weekend - Pancake days. (Fresh Maple Syrup made right there)
How about Nolde State Forest ? Close to home and I believe no hunting at all.
buff_jeff
01-02-2009, 00:08
Shades of Grey gave me a heads up about the thread - thanks, I can easily recommend Valley Forge for a start out place for young kids, AND if haven't noticed Ridley Creek State Park Delaware County west of Philadelphia has thirty miles of trails and on every Sunday is off limits to hunters. Only the northern Horse loop is open Monday to Sat if you can find it (Most folk never get there) Even more protected is the thirty miles of Tyler Aboretum next door to the Ridley Creek. Very Safe! http://www.tylerarboretum.org/ Great for kids - best weekend - Pancake days. (Fresh Maple Syrup made right there)
How about Nolde State Forest ? Close to home and I believe no hunting at all.
I live almost right next to Ridley Creek State Park. Nice place. My dad hikes there all the time, and does most of his training there. My brother's cross country team does alot of their hiking their also. It's ashame they've had problems with sex rings and all that garbage.
buff_jeff
01-02-2009, 00:09
his XC team does running there, not hiking! :p
Wise Old Owl
01-02-2009, 00:32
I live almost right next to Ridley Creek State Park. Nice place. My dad hikes there all the time, and does most of his training there. My brother's cross country team does alot of their hiking their also. It's ashame they've had problems with sex rings and all that garbage.
That's really been cleaned up after some thirty arrests over three years and most folk do not know where that small spot in the park is. Pretty much over. 99% of the folk would never run into that. I hiked enough parks to see naked women posing for websites in Valley Forge by clear accident. I don't get why posing next to log cabins would be of interest to viewers of the other websites. Just like your dad if you hike, jog, or ride a bike every day in a park and keep changing up the trails you get to see some wild ass things out there.
Anyway you caused a thread swerve.
I am trying to stick to the original post - Tyler, Ridly, Nolde, French Creek are all good places.