View Full Version : PA hike Port Clinton to delware water gap
Im planning on doing a PA hike from Port Clinton to the Delaware water gap in early April but am open to suggestions for other sections. I may be doing it with one or two other people or i might solo it. Im just wondaring what i should expect. what should i expect for conditions and weather? Also, will there be alot of hikers on the trail in early April?
buff_jeff
01-31-2009, 19:37
That's the rockiest section of the state; the area where PA really gets it's poor reputation.
In all honesty, though, it's not that bad. There are some pretty nice spots along the way, too. The Lehigh Gap, Pinnacle/Pulpit Rock, and Delaware Water Gap areas are really cool. Water is oftentimes scarce, but not that time of year. I think you'll enjoy it. Have fun!
Read ATC's Hike the Trail (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.715465/k.9731/Hike_The_Trail.htm). Buy KTA's Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania or at least the maps from KTA or ATC's Ultimate Trail Store and refer to them often. Only then will you have a clear sense of where you are and what regulations apply. Pay attention to signage and boundaries as you hike.
If you opt to purchase only KTA's maps, I recommend you carry ALDHA's Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion. In some respects, it's more current and provides more information especially related to hiker services.
Click on Online Companion (http://www.aldha.org/companyn.htm) to learn more. You can download last year's information for the A.T. section you've indicated without charge. It includes a wealth of useful information and is carried and recommended by many A.T. hikers.
Much of the A.T. about which you have inquired is on Pennsylvania State Game Lands (SGLs) administered by Pennsylvania Game Commission (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=481&q=151287&pgcNav=|). On SGLs, PGC regs (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/pgc/digestpdfs/2006/game_land_regulations.pdf) apply. Only through hikers (http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/058/chapter135/s135.42.html) as defined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may camp on SGLs. Camping for 1 night only is permitted within 200 feet of the AT more than 500 feet from surface water and public access areas.
fiddlehead
01-31-2009, 20:00
Nice section, have fun.
Most likely you will have it to yourself at that time. Springs will have lots of water.
The leaves may not even be out yet so your views (the classic PA view) will be better.
I just hiked (Dec) from Eckville to 309 and it was pretty easy stuff. No big climbs. Not that many rocks. (or course i grew up around there so that is relatively speaking)
On your hike, the Pinnacle, Dan's Pulpit, Lehigh Gap and Delaware Water Gap will be the highlights for scenery. Good restauant/bar at 309 if you hit them in the afternoon or evening.
Have fun.
Since you will be ahead of most NOBO through hikers and it's likely to be cool enough to discourage many hikers, you may encounter few others especially weekdays. Warm sunny days are apt to encourage hiking and you are likely to see more hikers particularly weekends.
Do not expect shelter space to be available even early in the hiking season. Always carry a tent or some other form of shelter. Information about shelters can be located from WhiteBlaze's main menu. Detailed information is available on BMECC's shelters.
Before you hike, understand what Lyme disease is and how to protect yourself. Click on CDC and MedlinePlus links (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showpost.php?p=765002&postcount=3) for an earlier post of mine.
All hikers in Pennsylvania should know how to identify venomous snakes they may encounter. Venomous snakes found on Pennsylvania's A.T. include our timber rattlesnake (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/wildlife/rattlesnakes.aspx) and copperhead (http://www.fish.state.pa.us/copprhe.htm).
Both are protected (http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fishpub/summary/repamp.html). It is unlawful to hunt, take, catch, or kill timber rattlesnakes west of Route 15 and south of Interstate 81 to the Maryland line where there is no open season.
Snakes want nothing to do with you unless they have no alternative. Consider the wisdom of doing likewise. More often than not, it's those who can't keep their hands off them who get bitten.
To get some idea whether A.T. hikers can depend upon springs in Berks County, I refer to MARFC's 30-day (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Maps/PANY_counties_30_color.htm) and 7-day (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Maps/PANY_counties_7_color.htm) maps, NWS data (http://www.weather.gov/data/obhistory/KRDG.html) collected at Reading Regional Airport/Carl A. Spaatz Field in Bern Township and NWS's 7-day forecast for Port Clinton (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Port+Clinton&state=PA&site=PHI&textField1=40.5822&textField2=-76.0247&e=0).
Along with Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, these links will give you a good idea what to expect. The reliability of springs is indicated in KTA's guide and known to more-experienced local hikers.
Visit the links to see how much precipitation compared to the norm has been recorded for the last 30 days, the last 7 days, within the last 24 hours and what's forecast. If MARFC's maps are showing red, there's been no rain in the last 24 hours and none is forecast, be prepared for dry conditions. Please be advised, even when conditions are normal (green) during the summer, ridgetop springs may be unreliable.
Check out what we've posted and follow up with specific questions.:welcome
Blissful
01-31-2009, 20:48
It is rocky to be sure but some great views to be had also. At least the snake population and tick population will be quiet. And not the poison ivy either. Though I imagine you can get cold snaps and snow. So prepare for weather.
Shades of Gray is definitely your point of contact with this section.
Shades of Gray is definitely your point of contact with this section.
MJN, I just added you to my buddy list. You can now PM me if you wish. I won't guarantee I can answer every question you may have, but I will tell you when I can't and provide a referral when I can.
The A.T. section I know best is Pennsylvania's Green Diamond, Berks County. Others know more about certain aspects of Berks County's A.T. than me and many who post here know much than me about the A.T. east of Berks. I hope we will hear from them too.
I may add a few links to my existing posts, but I will cease posting for a bit to allow time for digestion and for others to post.
Thanks for all of the advice Shades of Grey.
Ive had lymes disease twice so i pretty much know what there is to know about it. I know all about snakes and have two of them as pets. and im deffinetly not relying on just shelters and will bring a tent.
Also, how much would you say an average pack should weigh for a 7 or 8 day hike? and would i be able to use a cheaper sleeping bag or will i need to get a 20 or 30 degree bag for this hike?
Thanks for all of the advice Shades of Grey.
You're welcome! Sounds like you know what to expect with Lyme disease and snakes. I'm glad to hear you intend to bring a tent. You may want to stay in at least one shelter and are likely to have the opportunity. If you get a freezing or cold rain with wind, it might be a good option.
Also, how much would you say an average pack should weigh for a 7 or 8 day hike? and would i be able to use a cheaper sleeping bag or will i need to get a 20 or 30 degree bag for this hike?
You would be carrying as much food as any through hiker and your pack weight should be comparable. It would be a good idea to keep your pack weight to 35 lbs. or less. Less might be better, provided you have adequate clothing.
If you have lived in Pennsylvania for any length of time, you know the weather can be unsettled in early April. I'd bring a good quality down bag rated at 20°F.
Someone who knows WhiteBlaze's gear threads better than me may be able to link a thread which would allow you to compare suitable bags. I don't know of rental opportunities in our area. Maybe someone can assist with advice on that matter. Maybe you could borrow a bag from a friend?
fiddlehead
02-01-2009, 00:36
It's of my opinion that it would be wiser to resupply around Palmerton/Slatington.
That way, you could carry a lot less weight, although it would take you perhaps a half day to go in town and get more food.
Up to you of course but that's what i would do.
Not a bad idea. Why burden yourself with unnecessary weight? I believe I read there's some sort of off-road footpath into town now which may make getting there easier and safer than by hitching a ride.
You'll also want to climb out of Lehigh Gap with water enough to get yourself through the Superfund site where water is lacking or may be of questionable quality.
Be sure to get good information about your water requirements for this area before you go. I'm sure there's been information posted here. If you can't find it yourself, ask for help.
shelterbuilder
02-01-2009, 01:20
It's of my opinion that it would be wiser to resupply around Palmerton/Slatington.
That way, you could carry a lot less weight, although it would take you perhaps a half day to go in town and get more food.
Up to you of course but that's what i would do.
MJN, if you had the extra time (and transportation) at the beginning of your hike, perhaps you could cache the food for the second half of your trip somewhere in this area. That way, you'd save the trip into town.
Just have a back-up plan in case critters (four-legged or two-legged) find your cache before you do. :eek:
fiddlehead
02-01-2009, 04:27
Maybe the bar/restaurant at 309. I forget the name. (I still think of it as Gambrinas' although i think that was back in the 80's or something like that?)
They are very friendly. Although then you'd have the problem of arriving there when they are open.
This news that the US Postal service is most likely going to cut back service to 5 days a week is very bad news for the thru-hiking community IMO.
Hopefully it means each employee rather than each post office.
The current name of the business to which fiddlehead referred is Blue Mountain Summit. Contact information can be found in ALDHA's Companion or simply Google BMS's website. I linked it here previously and it can be found with either a basic or advanced search.
I like shelterbuilder's idea of a resupply cache, but I would prefer to have a business or friend near the A.T. hold it rather than chance someone or an animal may tamper with it. I'm not keen on the concept of caches some might rightly consider unsightly, abandoned property or even trash. Done right, a cache near the A.T. would reduce one's burden, save a trip into town and free up time for hiking.
It might be better to cache somewhere north of Lehigh Gap to avoid carrying the added weight on the biggest ascent. Consider a cache farther north if it would not result in an issue reclaiming it. The local A.T. maintaining club may be able to suggest a suitable cache location or inquire with businesses near the A.T. listed in ALDHA's Companion.
I'm unclear whether public or private transportation will be used to access the A.T. on this trip. If private transportation is to be used, a cache could be dropped off in person rather than mailed. There are no doubt other issues related to transportation which should be considered.
I recently read here about a temporary relocation north of Lehigh Gap and noticed ATC has provided information about it on their website. To access this information, scroll up to post #3, click on Hike the Trail and Trail Updates at the top of ATC's page, then scroll down to Pennsylvania.
I'd post the link, but I'm attempting to call to the attention of others where information pertaining to the A.T. can be found and thus enable others to better help themselves.
Eckville Shelter is an enclosed cabin right behind caretakers house. Just off AT, at PA309, Blue Mountain B&B. Restaurant and lodging. Wind Gap left .2 (Right if going SOBO) Gateway Motel. Easy access respites from the trail. On the north side after you climb up the steeps from the gap, the trail levels out where you can find nice campsites (without water). Lehigh Gap is remarkable. Check the contour (profile ) maps. There are several level sections of trail, esp. Wind Gap to Delaware Gap
Please note the business mentioned in the previous post which provides water to hikers from an outdoor faucet. During summer months or dry spells, it is one of the water sources upon which hikers depend when all other sources fail.
More information about this business may be found in ALDHA's Companion.
Here's the average temperature chart.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.1025291/k.72A0/Average_Temperatures.htm
It looks like you can expect a high of 54 and a low of 34.
Panzer
Keep in mind daily highs and lows experienced could be higher or lower than the averages.
Sorry for taking a while to reply, i havnt been able to acces a computer for a few days. Thanks for all the info about resupplying and weather. i will keep slatington in mind for resupply and will be sure to check the weather before my hike.