hello! looking for a ride from the port clinton pavillion (where i hope to leave my car nearby...) north to little gap pretty early Saturday morning, the 24th of January. planning a 3 day section southbound back to port clinton... advice and help welcome!

Try calling Mike Gelinas at 717.249.6022, he's out of Boiling Springs and does shuttles in PA. I've used him twice and found him reliable and reasonable in price. Also he's very knowlegable of the AT and its history in PA.
I have parked twice at the Port Clinton hikers parking lot near the railroad tracks, it's marked by a sign. Both times were for a week and had no problems with vandalism. I wouldn't park along Rt. 61 and nearby Cabela's won't let you park in their lot. If you need better directions to the hiker's parking lot let me know. Hope this helps!

I sectioned through this area last fall doing what I call "Honda hiking." I leave my car places and get a shuttle out to hike back. Check with the outfitter in Port Clinton about shuttles and parking behind his store. I also used TrailAngelMary, a delightful character out of Duncannon.

Try calling Mike Gelinas at 717.249.6022, he's out of Boiling Springs and does shuttles in PA. I've used him twice and found him reliable and reasonable in price. Also he's very knowlegable of the AT and its history in PA.
I have parked twice at the Port Clinton hikers parking lot near the railroad tracks, it's marked by a sign. Both times were for a week and had no problems with vandalism. I wouldn't park along Rt. 61 and nearby Cabela's won't let you park in their lot. If you need better directions to the hiker's parking lot let me know. Hope this helps!


yeah -- is that parking lot off Penn, Broad, Railroad or 5th? and do you know anything about Metallica spring, just south of Little Gap? thanks!

The lot is off Broad St. Cross the bridge over the river, cross the tracks and turn left. It looks like a storage yard for railroad supplies but there is a sign for hiker parking. Metallica Spring, I think, was off a blue blaze trail that bypassed the rock climb out of Palmerton. I didn't pass it and although it's shown as a water source it is very close to the Superfund site. I carried enough water out of Palmerton to last until I got to the next water source.

Both the parking lot along the southbound lanes of PA 61 and at Reading and Northern Railroad's rail yard are in plain view of many people throughout the day and are likely safer parking places than most A.T. trailheads along less travelled roads. That said, it doesn't take long to break a window and steal something.

If I were to chose for myself between the two, I'd probably park where instructed on Reading and Northern's lot. I have parked at both locations without incident. I don't know what concerns or restrictions Reading and Northern may have with overnight or longer-term parking. They obviously would have an interest in what happens there. See Reading and Northern Railroad (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=737321&postcount=1) for more information.

There may be better alternatives for longer-term parking than either location. I'd call Ye Olde Backpacker to inquire.

I've long had in mind we need better information on A.T. access and parking in eastern Pennsylvania. There's no small amount here on WhiteBlaze, it's just scattered all over the place. It might be gathered and developed into an article. It would likely get accessed frequently and be of considerable value.

In general, I think we need more articles written and improved with the addition of new information as it becomes available rather than new threads which cover the same information covered before. Think a question answered by a link. Frees up time for other things.

thanks to all. and good idea, Shades of Gray...

Breakfast at Port Clinton can be had at 3C's or at Cabela's (buffet) just south of the A.T. where it crosses Schuylkill River. When you return to Port Clinton, I recommend proceeding directly to Deitsch Eck (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=698557&postcount=5) at nearby Lenhartsville. It's not hard to find.

Port Clinton is near Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (http://www.hawkmountain.org), one of the premier destinations for birders in North America. If you have time before or after your hike you may want to visit or at least drop in at their visitor's center. It's a short hike uphill on Hawk Mountain Road at Eckville north of The Pinnacle. There's a wealth of information on their website for those who are unable to visit.

There is a site dedicated to AT Parking. Check out http://rohland.homedns.org/AT/at_menu.aspx