Approach Trail

[The Mechanical Man]

My wife and I used the service road for our Springer Mtn. approach.
Linda "The Crayon Lady" hiked the entire Northern 1,200 miles, and climbed Katahdin 3 times.

[Kirby]

Kirby, I would not be talking to you if I though you someone I wouldn't mind helping-meeting on their hike.

So are you coming down or what?
I don't even care if I disinvited Wolf a while back, ...............you can bring him too! Or are you going to make a point to NOT visit? No problem either way.

I understand his ways, he just starts busting me every time I try to help someone here at this website, he would probably be more thankful and polite at my place.

I don't own a thru hikers handbook, I am waiting for 2008 to be published, so I have no idea what services you provide. Since you are personally inviting me to stop by for a visit, I will be sure to note that in the handbook next to your listing, and do my best to be a patron, no promises though.

Kirby

[The Mechanical Man]

I don't own a thru hikers handbook, I am waiting for 2008 to be published, so I have no idea what services you provide. Since you are personally inviting me to stop by for a visit, I will be sure to note that in the handbook next to your listing, and do my best to be a patron, no promises though.

Kirby

We live at Smith Gap road, approx 24 miles South of Delaware Water Gap Pa., and it ain't gonna cost you a thing. Hope to see you.

Here you go.............

One mile west to Blue Mountain Dome home of John "Mechanical Man", and Linda the "Crayon Lady" Stempa, and their son "The Blur".
Eponym of the spring .7 mile south. The Stempa's welcome you to get water at the spigot in rear of the house, to camp in the yard, and to use the outside shower. Water turned OFF in winter. If they are home they will be even more accomodating. This is a safe place to park your car. Ask about homemade alcohol stoves and "HEET" fuel, call 610-381-4606 for shuttle info.

[The Mechanical Man]

Oh what the heck, .......You're ALL invited!
And I do mean EVERBODY!

[walkin' wally]

Oh what the heck, .......You're ALL invited!
And I do mean EVERBODY!

Is that Caveman Of Ohio on the right?

[Kirby]

MM:
There are those of us no in tune with the "famous" hikers. I know who the middle two are, but could you name everyone in the photos shown?

Thanks,
Kirby

[Blissful]

Oh what the heck, .......You're ALL invited!
And I do mean EVERBODY!

We missed you this year. I had to make some miles in PA after getting sidetracked by a hospital visit in Carlisle. Hopefully see you in 2011 maybe if things are still going (?)

[Pedaling Fool]

MM:
There are those of us no in tune with the "famous" hikers. I know who the middle two are, but could you name everyone in the photos shown?

Thanks,
Kirby

Put your cursor on the image and the name(s) will appear.

[rafe]

Put your cursor on the image and the name(s) will appear.

That's gotta be a really early Wingfoot. Like early-mid 1980s.

[The Mechanical Man]

That's gotta be a really early Wingfoot. Like early-mid 1980s.

We moved here in 1989, so I guess it's 1990, or just after.

How about it Dan, can you verify the date?
I know you are watching over us all.

[Lone Wolf]

it's 91. his last thru-hike. the year he started at Springer drinking Slim Fast

[The Mechanical Man]

it's 91. his last thru-hike. the year he started at Springer drinking Slim Fast

YES....
The same year he took a 8 mile ride to Wind Gap so he didn't have to walk it.

[Marta]

I've hiked the approach trail twice and have yet to see the falls, maybe this year I'll check it out. How far is it from that parking lot (the one for the falls - on the approach trail)?

A hundred feet? My husband and I detoured to the falls overlook on our way back from Springer on 1/1. As you cross the road/parking lot area, look to the side away from the bathroom building. There's a little wooden bridge that goes over the top of the falls.

My $.02 on the whole Approach Trail issue...if you aren't from the area and probably won't get back there for a long time, if ever, by all means hike it. Otherwise you'll always wonder what you missed.

If you are brand new to hiking, with untested feet and gear, by all means hike it. It's a safe section that offers you good options for help/rethinking your approach before you get into the areas where bailout is more difficult. It'll be a good shakedown hike, of the sort that would have been beneficial for you to have done lots of already.

If you've already done lots of hiking and have your gear and your body and mind in order, the Approach Trail is a nice prelude to the main body of the work. And it won't take very long at all--it's not even nine miles.

Besides, you really ought to go through the ritual of signing the book in the Visitor Center, and weighing your pack, and all that fun stuff.

I didn't hike the Approach Trail when I reached Springer last January, but met Josh at the summit parking lot. (I had already hiked the Approach Trail as part of a section hike so I knew it was just more of the same.) When I was at the Park a couple of days ago, I signed the SOBO register belatedly. It was fun.

[valleyfire]

to each their own!