View Full Version : Delaware Water Gap day hike
pattydivins
01-15-2011, 20:26
Does anyone know any good day hikes in the DWG area? I would rater do a loop as opposed to there and back. Somewhere in the 10 mile range would be good.
Thanks!
:banana
There are several trails up there and you may want to Google "Delaware Water Gap trail map" to get a heads-up. The white blaze from the I80 parking area to Sunfish Pond is 3.7 mi. Coming back you can take the green blaze trail along Dunfield Creek (about 4 mi return). You need to cross the creek a few times, usually not a problem, but with heavy water run-off could be tricky.
You could go another 2.1 mi past Sunfish (continuing on the white blaze) to a great overlook with nearly 360 degree view. You would have to backtrack to sunfish to pick up the green blaze. This would be about 11 mi total. Get the map before you go, and experiment. You'll enjoy it.
theres a few different ways to make a 10 mile or so loop out of hiking from the parking area to sunfish pond. i can think of at least 3, the simplest being returning on the dunnfield creek trail. that might put you a mile or two short of 10 though, the others are longer, or you could loop the pond before returning.
jerseydave
01-15-2011, 21:39
There are several trails up there and you may want to Google "Delaware Water Gap trail map" to get a heads-up. The white blaze from the I80 parking area to Sunfish Pond is 3.7 mi. Coming back you can take the green blaze trail along Dunfield Creek (about 4 mi return). You need to cross the creek a few times, usually not a problem, but with heavy water run-off could be tricky.
You could go another 2.1 mi past Sunfish (continuing on the white blaze) to a great overlook with nearly 360 degree view. You would have to backtrack to sunfish to pick up the green blaze. This would be about 11 mi total. Get the map before you go, and experiment. You'll enjoy it.
Check out my "images".... I've got pix in there from thet hike mentioned above.
AT up to Sunfish, then Dunfield back down is a nice hike.
Crowded on a nice day though.
Wear good boots with ankle support. Very rocky in some ares.
Dave
The NYNJ Trail Conference publishes an excellent set of maps for the Del Water Gap. There are many loop options that you can choose from. You can buy a set for a reasonable price at the visitor's center at Kittatiny Point, or order it from the trail conference.
Jerseydave: great pics! I recognize the area for just about everyone of them. My favorite hike up there is with a 2-car shuttle. Mohican OC to the DWG parking area or the reverse, a nice day-hike.
pattydivins
01-15-2011, 22:59
Great suggestion Carbo- I like the idea of having a nice overlook to hike to. Check out this map:
http://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/upload/sb2Hikes-2.pdf
It does not indicate a overlook 2.1 miles past sunfish, is it easy to find?
I found a good trip report, I may end up just taking this route: http://www.caliberdt.com/~bill/tammany/gapmap.jpg
YEAH IM EXCITED, I'm going to bring my dog.
jerseydave
01-15-2011, 23:02
I'm sure you are aware that there is quite a bit of snow up there about now :D
pattydivins
01-15-2011, 23:03
Should my dog wear a jacket? (Golden retriever - 3 yrs old)
pattydivins
01-15-2011, 23:05
There can't be THAT much snow, can there be? I'm sure a decent amount has melted by now. Anybody have an accurate report what type of snow I would have to deal with?
I like the idea of having a nice overlook to hike to. Check out this map:
http://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/upload/sb2Hikes-2.pdf
It does not indicate a overlook 2.1 miles past sunfish, is it easy to find?
The overlook is "Racoon Ridge" on your map. You can't miss it if you follow the white blazes. If you can get a day at least in the upper 40's you should be ok, go with layered clothing, and as Jerseydave mentioned there is a fair bit of snow up there now.
It's a rocky trail, is your pooch ok with that? I do see quite a few hikers with dogs up there.
pattydivins
01-15-2011, 23:21
Looks like Tuesday and Wednesday should be warm(er) days. Tuesday is calling for rain (this should help get rid of snow), and Wednesday is in the mid 30s. I'm going to leave this hear for later reference:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=18327&hourly=1&yday=18&weekday=Wednesday
To be honest my dog has never really gone on a hike like this. It will be the first time trying her off the leash and the first time for such a long length. I plan to just monitor her the entire time to see how she is doing. She is young and athletic and follows me well so I am not too concerned, just going to bring some treats along and hope she doesn't chase a deer into the woods.
Highway Man
01-16-2011, 00:25
Great suggestion Carbo- I like the idea of having a nice overlook to hike to. Check out this map:
http://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/upload/sb2Hikes-2.pdf
It does not indicate a overlook 2.1 miles past sunfish, is it easy to find?
I found a good trip report, I may end up just taking this route: http://www.caliberdt.com/~bill/tammany/gapmap.jpg (http://www.caliberdt.com/%7Ebill/tammany/gapmap.jpg)
YEAH IM EXCITED, I'm going to bring my dog.
This is probably the mot popular loop trail to Mt. Tammney. I've done this 100 times?
I usually go clockwise. But in winter, counter-clockwise may be advisable as the up trail closer to the gap is steeper. The loop is about 3 miles with elevation gain of over 1200'. Take some traction devices with you.
Other routes could be, the one all the way to Sun Fish Pond, then turn right before the pond (not the one circling the pond at east), and get down to the valley along Denfield Creek. Be aware that you may need to ford the stream a few times! The loop is about 7 miles.
Or you can leave your car at the visitor center, walk across the bridge to Mt. Minsi parking lot (30 minute?) at PA side. Take AT up and follow fire road down. The loop is about 6 miles. Keep an eye on the hunting activities because hunters use rifles there. Quit if you don't feel comfortable.
wrongway_08
01-16-2011, 13:42
There can't be THAT much snow, can there be? I'm sure a decent amount has melted by now. Anybody have an accurate report what type of snow I would have to deal with?
Check out the link below:
There is a loop going south on th AT from the water gap.As you climb Mnt Minsi,when you get to the top i think its a blue trail that will lead you back down the the parking lot at the bottom of minsi.That hike is in the book 50 hikes in eastern Pennsylvania{Tom Thwaites}.That a very pretty hike with numerous veiws on the way up.Bully Bob