View Full Version : No-Camping Area in PA????
I am planning to hike the section from Pen-Mar to Duncannon sometime this spring, and I see on my map a notice that says there is no camping allowed along the AT between the Alec Kennedy shelter and the Darlington shelter, a distance of 18 miles.
Does anyone know why this is, and how seriously it is enforced?
Thanks for any info that you have.
The area is suburban backyards, handy to a park ranger's office in addition to local police.
couscous
04-07-2011, 08:19
Nearly 14 miles of that section is as flat as the CVNP towpath.
Another thread about that area (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=65023).
couscous
04-07-2011, 08:27
Well, the other thread STARTED about that section, but digressed quickly.
l'll be doing a similar stretch from Calendonia to Swarta Gap in June and I'm told there is a tent site just south of Boiling Springs though it's near railroad tracks. Other posts have indicated that the Garminhaus B&B allows you to pitch a tent in their backyard for $1 but it doesn't include bathroom privileges.
dzierzak
04-07-2011, 11:41
The campsite just south of Boiling Springs is near the tracks. Trains did run at all hours. Didn't bother me - YMMV. From Boiling Springs to Darlington Shelter is about 15 miles. It is mostly flat 'til you climb up to the shelter. It is suburban - farm fields - roads. Lots of mulberrys when in season. The Thru-Hikers Companion does list the Garmanhaus B&B with backyard camping for $1 - no shower or bathroom privleges. Also listed is the Allenberry Inn & Playhouse with a $40 hiker special, meals extra.
Mountain Mike
04-07-2011, 12:17
When I thrued back in 88 that was the dreaded PA Road walk. Ithink we had to do a 26 miler that day. For years the area caused a lot of animosity since government was condeming houses to make way for AT. ATC has worked with the comunity to reach compromises in latter years.
Private Property?
As stated already, most of those 18 miles are "easier" and faster hiking miles. Keep in mind what ever you decide to do those 18 miles without camping restrictions are enforced AND what you do, should you be caught breaking those restrictions, reflects on everyone else in the hiking community and damages the relationships the AT has with private landowners who graciously allow the trail to be routed across their property, which BTW they DO NOT have to do!
Private Property?
As stated already, most of those 18 miles are "easier" and faster hiking miles. Keep in mind what ever you decide to do those 18 miles without camping restrictions are enforced AND what you do, should you be caught breaking those restrictions, reflects on everyone else in the hiking community and damages the relationships the AT has with private landowners who graciously allow the trail to be routed across their property, which BTW they DO NOT have to do!
Thanks, Dogwood. That puts it in context. I was just asking, because it's kind of unusual to have a no-camping regulation on a stretch that long.
I'm not planning on breaking any rules. :)
harryfred
04-07-2011, 20:36
It is not that bad really. I am a slow hiker with a heavy pack and I can do it. Get water on the way up the hill, You will see the sign don't trust the spring at Darlington. There is water on the way back down the other side. The trail is definite so it is easy to follow if you have to hike after dusk,you won't if you get going in the morning. Darlington is a nice shelter with good tenting, but not pads or platforms. Where the trail crosses route PA 11 You can head south a very short ways and there are two motels not sure of the names as they have changed in the last couple of years. If you pm me I will find out and get any other info you require. there is also a truck stop that is fair for resupply and has a Denny's.
... and damages the relationships the AT has with private landowners who graciously allow the trail to be routed across their property, which BTW they DO NOT have to do!
I don't think that the land owners were "gracious" about letting the At cross their land. From what I heard they fought it. In the end their land was "taken" from them.
Panzer
Get water on the way up the hill, You will see the sign don't trust the spring at Darlington. There is water on the way back down the other side.
The water on the north side is a stream that goes thru farm fields so definitely filter or boil it!
An easy way to break this up is to get off at Route 11 and hit one of the motels about 1/4 mile away. However, Carlisle has frequent car shows that attract folks from all over the country. Check the website for Carlisle Productions to make sure that your day is not during one of these shows. They are huge and draw big crowds. I would also urge hikers to respect the local landowners and to understand that their actions impact those that follow. Think of it like dropping your trash beside the trail. Yes, you move on and never see it again but it does appear for those following.
Stop at the AT office in Boiling Springs, and ask about the inn that is about 1/2 mile from the trail, I forget the name, but they also have a playhouse there (Allenwood?). As of two years ago, they ran a backpackers special for $25, and put me in a motel room that easily must have gone regularly for at least $125. This special is only available if you stop at the end of the day, no advance reservations. However, take earplugs, because trains came thru town at 1:00 am and 3:00 am, but has to be better than the campground, which is literally right next to the tracks.
Stop at the AT office in Boiling Springs, and ask about the inn that is about 1/2 mile from the trail, I forget the name, but they also have a playhouse there (Allenwood?). As of two years ago, they ran a backpackers special for $25, and put me in a motel room that easily must have gone regularly for at least $125. This special is only available if you stop at the end of the day, no advance reservations. However, take earplugs, because trains came thru town at 1:00 am and 3:00 am, but has to be better than the campground, which is literally right next to the tracks.
Allenberry. http://www.allenberry.com/ The "special" was too good and went up to $40 last year.
By "campground", are you referring to the ones on the north end of Duncannon? They are a lot worse, right under the main line not the branch line that goes through B.S.
I don't think that the land owners were "gracious" about letting the At cross their land. From what I heard they fought it. In the end their land was "taken" from them.
Panzer
I'm not up on all the recent trail politics of this section BUT IF WHAT YOU SAY IS ACCURATE EVEN MORE REASON TO RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY. Perhaps, we could build better relationships with those property owners along the AT corridor if we did respect their rights!
Trailbender
04-11-2011, 22:19
The Thru-Hikers Companion does list the Garmanhaus B&B with backyard camping for $1 - no shower or bathroom privleges.
So do you just use the bathroom in the backyard?
I don't think that the land owners were "gracious" about letting the At cross their land. From what I heard they fought it. In the end their land was "taken" from them.
Panzer
I have mixed feelings about this, with something as important as the AT, it should be ok. The earth belongs to everyone, the idea of owning land seems ludicrous and absurd.
Blissful
04-12-2011, 10:17
the idea of owning land seems ludicrous and absurd.
??? Sounds a bit like a communist statement. :eek: Sure that's not what you meant.
[QUOTE=ki0eh;1144026]Allenberry. http://www.allenberry.com/ The "special" was too good and went up to $40 last year.
Yes, that's it. I think the rate is per room, not per person? The one they put me in had two double beds, so sharing may be the way to go.
The campground I referred to is listed in the Thru-Hikers handbook as 'backpackers campsite', along Yellow Breeches Creek 0.3 mi south of Boiling Sprs.
OK, yeah, that's the Sunday Farm campsite, with no water, and maybe a porta-pot (when I lived over there the local club had gone through all the local porta-pot suppliers so that's dicey). And, yes, at Allenberry you at least have the creek between you and the tracks, as opposed to a few trees and vines. (Some may remember a stone house next to the campsite, that's been torn down for years now.)
The current club president is on WB, I'm surprised he hasn't weighed in on this thread yet.
I don't suppose you own or oversee land Trailbender. If you do let us all know so we can trespass, illegally camp, dump our trash on it, cut down the trees, stomp through your growing fields, pollute your water, and leave the gates open so all your livestock wander off!
Second Half
04-14-2011, 06:26
Thread drift alert!
I don't suppose you own or oversee land Trailbender. If you do let us all know so we can trespass, illegally camp, dump our trash on it, cut down the trees, stomp through your growing fields, pollute your water, and leave the gates open so all your livestock wander off!
I didn't see anything in his post that indicates he's in favor of any of these things?
And in a sense he's right. Earth is 4,500,000,000 years old. Each of us will live here for 70-80 years. The idea that one can "own" something that we occupy for a blink of the eye is a bit absurd. But it is typical human hubris (which we Americans have perfected).
Trailbender
04-14-2011, 08:46
Thread drift alert!
I didn't see anything in his post that indicates he's in favor of any of these things?
And in a sense he's right. Earth is 4,500,000,000 years old. Each of us will live here for 70-80 years. The idea that one can "own" something that we occupy for a blink of the eye is a bit absurd. But it is typical human hubris (which we Americans have perfected).
Exactly. I do trail maintenance, recycle, ect. We all should take care of the earth. Also, if you do "own" land, I don't think signs are gonna stop someone from trespassing or dumping garbage if they really want to.
About the land, we all live on this earth, it is all of ours, or none.
stranger
04-18-2011, 09:16
There are places to camp in this section, but like others have said it's both illegal and not ideal, but there are small patches of woods between some of the farmlands.
This section replaces the old Cumberland Valley roadwalk for those of you who remember that section, or know of it.
Personally, I would not camp in this section but not because it's illegal, just cause there is little to be desired. However, if I were to camp, I would set up well after dark in a patch of woods and be up and walking by 6am. Keep in mind, this section of trail is very cool at night, you see heaps of fireflys in the fields and it's fairly unique, it's also killer on a hot day.