PDA

View Full Version : Boiling Springs, nobo section parking



ghostwalker
06-09-2009, 10:05
Hey all,
I've been trying to organize a section hike of the Susquehanna Valley portion of the AT from Boiling Springs to just south of Darlington Shelter. Does anyone know of parking availability near that area?

I'd like to put one car in Boiling Springs (tons of parking) and another at the north terminus which would be near PA944??

I can't seem to locate any available parking though. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
-gw

ki0eh
06-09-2009, 19:39
Here is a map of the Cumberland Valley AT from their website (http://www.geocities.com/cvatclub/cvatmap.pdf) .

The former CVATC web site had a link to the FAQ document for Boiling Springs. I can't find a link to the FAQ right now on the new website (http://www.cvatclub.org). Here is an archived copy of this info: BS Q&A (old) (http://www.satc-hike.org/BSQA.pdf)

Note there is NO NO NO NO parking at PA 944!!! Alternatives could be: Scott Farm Trail Work Center, a 2 car pulloff on Sherwood Drive between Bernheisel Bridge Rd. and 2 different parking lots on PA 850 on the north side of Blue (North) Mtn. See the map linked above.

The best parking in Boiling Springs is by the iron furnace on Bucher Hill Rd., at the southeast corner of the lake. If you are leaving a car there overnight, as indicated in the FAQ linked above folks are requested to get a parking pass from the ATC office.

Also there is no camping allowed in the Cumberland Valley, except for the Sunday Farm campsite which is south of Boiling Springs, just past the RR tracks. Trains blow their horns for the nearby crossing through the night, so it's not known for peaceful repose.

Folks around Carlisle and Harrisburg might be interested in the joint hiking program of the CVATC and SATC (http://www.satc-hike.org/hikes.html) which this year again features a series of day hikes of the AT in PA (http://www.satc-hike.org/2009PAATSeries.pdf). In case of interest, the section you mention is being covered on July 11 in the current schedule.

Have fun out there!

ghostwalker
06-10-2009, 07:13
Thanks for the help!

I've done Harper's to Boiling Springs, so I'm familiar with the lot near the iron furnace.

I've also done, 944 to Peter's Mountain.

It looks like that last section will need to be completed by either a drop off at 944 and SOBO to Boiling Springs, or NOBO from Boiling Springs and then have someone pick me up at 944.


Once again, thanks! I appreciate it.

Happy hiking!

zoidfu
06-10-2009, 07:20
If you're willing to go something like 6 more miles, you can park at the parking lot on rt. 850 which is a little over 2 miles North of the Darlington shelter.... but you probably already knew that.

Ridge Rat
06-10-2009, 08:40
There is a nice parking spot on the Darlington Trail about 1 mile from the darlington shelter. That will put you on the trail there. I forget the road, but its a dirt road near PA 11. I used it last weekend for my start on the Tuscarora trail.

ki0eh
06-10-2009, 09:01
There is a nice parking spot on the Darlington Trail about 1 mile from the darlington shelter. That will put you on the trail there. I forget the road, but its a dirt road near PA 11. I used it last weekend for my start on the Tuscarora trail.

Perhaps Millers Gap Road? (map (http://www.satc-hike.org/darlmap.pdf))
Although there is also a seasonally open State Game Lands parking lot about 1/2 mile from the Darlington Shelter in Deans Gap, when the rough gated road up from Myers Gap is open (PGC map with outdated ATroute (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/game/maps/zoom_maps.asp?sgl=170&rgn=Southcentral&submit.x=21&submit.y=9))

Buster Martin
06-10-2009, 23:49
I just completed that same portion back on 5/31/09...basically it's the entire Cumberland Valley. I parked one car at Boiling Springs around the Fish and Game Commission Parking Area, drove the other car to the tiny parking lot on Sherwood Drive (near 944), and then hiked SOBO. In fact, I'll have my picture-set up on my site (http://www.bustermartin101.com) hopefully just after this weekend if you're interested.

I did a quick map pinpointing where I parked if you're interested. Go here to check it out (you may need to zoom out to see both markers)...


http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?client=firefox-a&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=40.147549,-77.125263&spn=0.002124,0.004141&t=h&z=18&msid=108178623583398487808.00046c0a636262fed0647