View Full Version : Shikellamy Summit
Some readers might be interested to know the origin of the name Shikellamy Summit. It's named for Boy Scout Camp Shikellamy which was once located below it. As I have time, I'll post more about Camp Shikellamy and the Native American for whom it was named.
To learn about this organization to which I expect many WhiteBlazers were inducted, read Wikipedia's OA link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Arrow).
I was selected for membership in Kittatinny Lodge #5 by Lower Heidelberg Troop #423. My ordeal began with a beautiful and moving ceremony at Lake Good beneath Shikellamy Summit.
Seems to be one of those names that repeats across PA, sometimes with varying spelling. Will look forward to the links.
As for the OA, I was tapped in in the amphitheater of Frontenac Falls http://www.nyfalls.com/frontenac.html Quite a powerful memory.
Cookerhiker
02-11-2008, 17:31
Brings back memories. I went to Susquehanna Univ. (along with AT thruhiker Northern Harrier, GAME '04) and used to go to Shikellamy for picnics & parties. Long time ago....Here's the link (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/StateParks/parks/shikellamy.aspx).
Seems to be one of those names that repeats across PA, sometimes with varying spelling.
Reading documents written before spelling was standardized takes a bit of getting accustomed to at first, but after a while it's interesting to see how many different ways something can be spelled and still be recognizable.:D
As for the OA, ... Quite a powerful memory.
I agree. Should we someday meet, we should talk about that.
Brings back memories. I went to Susquehanna Univ. (along with AT thruhiker Northern Harrier, GAME '04) and used to go to Shikellamy for picnics & parties. Long time ago....Here's the link (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/StateParks/parks/shikellamy.aspx).
Different place, Cookerhiker. See Ki0eh. The location I mentioned is in Berks County, just south on the A.T. of Schubert's Gap. Shikellamy Summit provides a vista of Lebanon Valley which is drained by Tulpehocken Creek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulpehocken_Creek_(Pennsylvania)).
I have a cousin who went to Susquehanna University I expect to see next weekend. We should be able to see Shikellamy Summit from where we'll meet. I must remember to look.
Yesterday, I visited Bethel Township. When I cast my eyes up unto The Blue Mountain, I saw Shikellamy Summit to the left of Schubert's Gap just where it should be and for a moment all was well with the world.:)
From Shikellamy Summit, AT hikers look out over Lebanon Valley. When Europeans first arrived in what's now Berks County, this area was inhabited by Native Americans of the Lenape Tribe.
Reading Public Museum and Kutztown University invite you to view their exhibit entitled Lenape: The Original People (http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org/exhibits/current/lenape.html) which runs May 17-September 14, 2008.
See Hawk Mountain Council to mark 100 years of Scouting (http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=122773) for information about a book to be published in late 2009.
Shades, I too was inducted into Kittatinny Lodge 5, but on the other side of the mountain. Alas, Camp Shikellamy closed the year before I started summer camp. I heard nothing but good things about it. Of course, Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation was a pretty special place too, and may well still be.
I spent at least 5 weeks, 4 summers in a row as a Scout at summer camp and many a week, weekend, holiday or day hiking, hunting or camping at Shik.
My troop alternated between Camps Minsi and Pioneer. Minsi ate their meals at the dining hall overlooking Lake Good. Pioneer dined at their respective campsites where meals were delivered on the heaterstack truck.
Golden Age Air Museum (http://www.goldenageair.org/) is visible from Shikellamy Summit just south of Schubert's Gap in Bethel, Pennsylvania. You may see or hear antique aircraft when hiking in this general area.
See also http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=143413 (http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=143413).
fiddlehead
06-18-2009, 21:42
My troop always did our summer camp just over the mountain on the Sch. county side.
It was called "Camp Nisatin" although they've since changed the name.
Both were beautiful boy scout camps. I learned a lot there about the outdoors.
My troop always did our summer camp just over the mountain on the Schuylkill County side. It was called Camp Nisatin although they've since changed the name.
Now named Camps Meade and DuPortail. I don't visit as often as I did when my grandfather was camp ranger, but I still hike there and attend a campfire once a season.
In 1980, I called from the ranger's residence for a ride home, but instead was persuaded to stay for the campfire later that evening. I was introduced to campers in attendance who had many questions for me afterwards.
My most recent visit to Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation was when I hiked there with BMECC a few months ago.
bronconite
06-18-2009, 22:20
I've been to Shikellamy Summit twice this year already. The overlook is as pleasing to the eye as the power dam below.
Shikellamy Summit provides a vista of Lebanon Valley which is drained by Tulpehocken Creek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulpehocken_Creek_(Pennsylvania)).
Actually, most of what you see directly below is drained by the Little Swatara, and further South is drained by the Tulpehocken
I have a cousin who went to Susquehanna University I expect to see next weekend. We should be able to see Shikellamy Summit from where we'll meet. I must remember to look.
This is my old and current stomping ground. I can't help but wonder where you are meeting. Midway Diner? Kauffman's Chicken BBQ and mini golf? There's not a whole lot around there :D
Actually, most of what you see directly below is drained by the Little Swatara, and further South is drained by the Tulpehocken.
Thank you for your post. Little Swatara Creek flows into Swatara Creek, Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Tulpehocken Creek feeds Schuylkill River which empties into Delaware River at Philadelphia.
I know somewhere there's a line seperating the watersheds, but I've never been able to see it from Shikellamy Summit.;)
I can't help but wonder where you are meeting.
My family gathered last year to celebrate my uncle's 60th birthday at Kauffman's Bar-B-Que Restaurant. I parked at Grimes Airfield to enjoy the view of Schubert's Gap and recall the many good times spent on Blue Mountain.
Nasty Dog Virus
06-19-2009, 08:08
Cookerhiker, you're talking about Shikellamy St. Park in Sunbury & the Shikellamy overlook which is across the river from the State Park...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikellamy_State_Park
I grew up in Danville and have been there many times. The high school in Sunbury is also called Shikellamy HS. Here's some info on Chief Shikellamy..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikellamy
Brings back memories. I went to Susquehanna Univ. (along with AT thruhiker Northern Harrier, GAME '04) and used to go to Shikellamy for picnics & parties. Long time ago....Here's the link (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/StateParks/parks/shikellamy.aspx).
I know somewhere there's a line seperating the watersheds, but I've never been able to see it from Shikellamy Summit.;)
This reminds me of my interactions with the fellow who uses the 2 meter measuring wheel for the Mid State Trail. For each new section I would lay out a spreadsheet of the features that should be measured to in order, taken off my planning maps. On each of the spreadsheets I would put somewhere between other features, "Cross X/Y township line." Without meaning to at first, it's since become a kind of standing joke, since he hasn't found one in the woods yet. :D
But on our hike there last weekend, we ran our shuttle around the north side of the mountain and the other folks were surprised to come onto Summit Station at the corner of 895 and 183. "Why would Summit Station be in the valley?" My conjecture to them was that that was a high point of the former Schuylkill & Susquehanna RR, which in turn would be near the drainage divide of the Swatara and the Schuylkill. So I got out the map and then found (honestly, to my surprise) that Schuberts Gap would also drain to the Swattie.
Extra points to anyone who can name another summit point of the old S&S RR without looking. :)
Thanks for the Shikellamy link which has been improved since I last viewed it and for reminding me of things I had once intended to add to this thread. I should point out an image of Shikellamy at Conrad Weiser Homestead may be found in my gallery.
The Wiki article mentions Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf and Conrad Weiser. Tulpehocken Path and Ludwig's Brunne (spring) where these men overnighted enroute to Shamokin is on a short blue-blaze and serves as the water supply for Applebee Campsite near PA 501.
W. Fred Applebee's final resting place is on what may be the highest ground in Lower Heidelberg Township at Hain's (Cacusi) Church several hundred yards from where I post. There's more than enough material for an article of several pages about the tract of land his widow acquired for the shelter which was removed in the 1970s.
Dave "Big Owl" McSurdy will speak on medicinal plants at Berks Heritage Center July 24 at 7 PM.
To learn more about McSurdy, his presentation or for directions, click on the link below to read an article with the same title as this post.
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=147942
Extra points to anyone who can name another summit point of the old S&S RR without looking.:)
I believe the correct answer to be Rausch Gap, known also as Summit Spur, but I cannot accept the extra points.
See Hawk Mountain Council to mark 100 years of Scouting (http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=122773) for information about a book to be published in late 2009.
The book is in press as I write. I look forward to reading it and will report on it once read.
I believe the correct answer to be Rausch Gap, known also as Summit Spur, but I cannot accept the extra points.
Right-o! Maybe you can get together with shelterbuilder and work the extra points off. ;)
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=191851 (http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=191851)
Past and present Hawk Mountain Council Scouts and Scouters not living in Berks County may want to click on the link to read the lead story from yesterday's Reading Eagle by Erin Negley.
I enjoyed the article, but feel compelled to point out the slate was more likely shale. Metamorphic rocks aren't fossiliferous AFAIK.
I was excited to see your posts and that you said you camped at Shikellamy. My Dad was the Camp Ranger from 1952-1963. We actually lived in a tent for a few months while the ranger home was being built! My Dad helped to build that camp and how sad that it is no longer used for that purpose.:(
See Hawk Mountain Council to mark 100 years of Scouting (http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=122773) for information about a book to be published in late 2009.
The book is in press as I write. I look forward to reading it and will report on it once read.
I have now read and can recommend it. Go to the link below to learn more.
http://www.scouters.us/book/home.html
Dumpster
12-10-2010, 00:01
Camped in the camp from 1960 till 76 those were great years. For those who camp on the trail at the power dam don't miss "DEVILS GRAVEYARD", just follow the creek, uphill. And if you still have some adventure in you hike to the end of Devils Graveyard and through the woods about 200 yards where the mountain goes up steaper. I don't know if that was an old road or a boundry marker but someone took a lot of time making it.