.April 17, 2006
Lynn, Snoopy, and I parked at Hawk Mountain Road and headed north. Snoopy needed an easy day today, so he will be staying with Lynn. They will be leaving me shortly and meet me later on the other end. About 20 minutes into our hike we came across a creek with a small bridge across it. Lynn said 'Good bye' and started to bring Snoopy back with her. He didn't want to go back. He really wanted to continue on with me but I knew it would be too much for him. Other than the large bridges in the gaps which are also used for auto traffic, this was the only bridge I remember in PA that was north of Hawk Mountain Road. There are springs but water sources seem to be more scarce in this area. (Just a heads up for those who plan to spend the night along this section. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ Next was the longest climb of the day with an elevation gain of about 1100 feet. The trail was steep but well maintained and not rocky. That will change later. I made it up to Dan's pulpit, read a little of the trail register . . . . . . and enjoyed the view. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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Leaving Dan's Pulpit the trail got very rocky. There would be sections of flat, smooth trail today, but in between there were lots of PA rocks pointing up at every conceivable position making it difficult to find a place to put your feet. I decided to take a few short blue blazed trails today as well. I got to 'Balanced Rocks' and took the very short 25 yard blue-blazed trail that was quite difficult to maneuver. This view here was somewhat blocked by trees and the balanced rocks were not that impressive. Had I know I had miles upon miles of rocks ahead, I probably would have skipped this.
Next I came across a short section of trail where someone put a few of the PA rocks to good use, making the trail much easier to walk on. I wish more of this could be done about the rocks in PA. This had to be a lot of work even for this stretch of trail that couldn't have been more than 25 feet.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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I blue-blazed about 100 feet or so off the trail to take a picture of the Allentown Shelter. There was a man their with his son and daughter. They were finishing up their lunch. This was the day after Easter and I heard the father ask, "How about some of that Easter candy for your Dad?" They each reluctantly gave up a little of their candy. They looked like they were having a fun family time. I didn't want to intrude so I only stayed a minute. After that I finally caught a break. A couple of miles of flat smooth dirt trail. It looked beautiful after all the rocks at Dan's Pulpit and Balanced Rocks.
I got a little too comfortable with the nice trail and missed a double blaze (signifying a turn). I only went about 100 feet before I realized it. I headed back and this time noticed the double blaze. The A.T. went to the left and was barely noticable. The trail that I had taken to the right was definitely the path of least resistance. I layed a few branches across the renegade path to help out other hikers.
I could hear some traffic and as I walked the sound got louder and louder. I was getting close to Route 309. I long way from my destination, but the first road I would pass today. Right before 309, the trail quickly climbs. At the top you step right out onto the highway. Hikers really need to use caution here as vehicles come very quickly from both directions. There was a little parking here but not much. I crossed the road and came to a blue blazed trail. I figured it went to more parking so I checked it out. It was a short trail of only about 3 blue blazes. It did go to a parking lot so there is plenty of parking where Route 309 crosses the A.T. but it may be slighlty off the road. (Just a little info that might help someone else.)
Next up was the Knife Edge. This was tricky to negotiate and would be extremely difficult in rainy weather. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ The view here was phenomenal. I took a full 15 minute break here to grab a snack and enjoy the view. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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Just after this I meet a family with a large dog.
"Is that a Swiss Mountain dog?" I asked.
"Close, it is a Bermese Mountain dog."
These two breeds are cousins. Snoopy is mixed with one of these breeds but much smaller. The colors and markers were so close. They let me snap a picture so I could show Lynn. I wished Snoopy was with me so I could see them next to each other.
I came across another blue-blazed trail. This one went up to Bear Rocks. It was a short trail but looked like quite a scramble up to the pile of rocks. I was hesitant. I was getting tired and had about 5 more miles to go, but the view has got to be great from up there. I've got to give it a try. I definitely made the right choice. When I got to the top there was a very interesting natural rock formation that looked as if the rocks had been neatly stacked. I had gorgeous clears views to the north and south. (Note the blue blaze in the center of the picture on the left) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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~ ~ I bet a lot of hikers miss this. If you are ever hiking this stretch and are not pressed for time, the few extra minutes of effort is well worth it. This was the highlight of my hike today. I started to climb back down which was a trick in itself. I could no longer see the blue blazes because they were on the front of the rocks. I climbed down and got back on the trail. I started to see more hikers in this area. They had no packs which is a sure sign that there must be a parking lot ahead. There was. There is plenty, plenty, plenty of parking where Bake Oven Road crosses the trail. It could probably hold a hundred cars. After the lot, the trail went up to the rocky Bake Oven Knob. Great views but there was graffiti on some of the rocks. It's unfortunate but this often happens when there is a great view that can be fairly easily reached. Not many, but there are always a few people who just don't fully appreciate nature. Lynn was going to try to meet me here with Snoopy but considering how rocky it was I was glad she didn't. I then stopped at the Bake Oven Shelter. Two miles to go. I was getting quite tired at this point and looking forward to seeing her. With one mile to go, I spotted her and Snoopy. It was great to see them and it encouraged me for the last mile.
"What's the trail like ahead?"
"Rocks" she said.
"Great one more mile of rocks."
But we made it to Lehigh Furnace Gap. Only 2 more PA sections left.
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