Planning Caledonia State Park to Pen Mar - Questions

[NJdreamer]

I am co-leading small group in 2 weeks, Caledonia State Park to Pen Mar. So far, the weather forecast is good. I was planning on hiking southbound and camping at Tumblin Run Shelter. Are there advantages to hiking northbound instead? Also I have heard there is water just north of the shelter. Can anyone confirm running water there or elsewhere in this section? I have read that many PA sections are very dry. One last question, a few people in the group may be looking to camp the night before. I see one camp spot a few miles near Pen Mar on the AT. Are there other spots near one end or the other, on or off the AT? (FYI - we are not using the shelter, we will follow LNT and we are reasonable size group) Thanks for your suggestions.

[MisterQ]

I am co-leading small group in 2 weeks, Caledonia State Park to Pen Mar. So far, the weather forecast is good. I was planning on hiking southbound and camping at Tumblin Run Shelter. Are there advantages to hiking northbound instead? Also I have heard there is water just north of the shelter. Can anyone confirm running water there or elsewhere in this section? I have read that many PA sections are very dry. One last question, a few people in the group may be looking to camp the night before. I see one camp spot a few miles near Pen Mar on the AT. Are there other spots near one end or the other, on or off the AT? (FYI - we are not using the shelter, we will follow LNT and we are reasonable size group) Thanks for your suggestions.

There is a stream and a reliable piped spring adjacent to the shelter area. Given the recent snowmelt you should have no problems with water throughout that section. There are two other shelters between Tumbling Run and Pen Mar as well.

[QuietStorm]

SOBO and you're descending from Chimney Rock, which is the only significant climb of this route.


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