Thursday, May 31, 2012

May 26 (Shippensburg Road to Fuller Lake)

9 miles
Tom, Rich, Molly, Mike, Shannon (part), Wyatt (part)


 
We started at Shippensburg Road again, and this time headed north to Fuller Lake in Pine Grove Furnace State Park (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pinegrovefurnace)

At the start of the trail today, we met a “ridge runner” who works with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to help maintain the trail.  We were impressed with his friendly nature and helpful information—and the fact that he was doing good work on behalf of all of those who hike along the trail.  If you aren’t a member of the ATC, it’s a great organization and you can find out more by visiting their website: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/

The difference of a month since we had last been on the trial was immediately evident.  All around, vegetation had replaced open sections of ground, plants were in bloom, and the shade cover of the forest nearly blocked out the sky in most areas.   The shade was a great benefit because the temperatures hovered in the high 80s when we started out in the morning.
About a mile in, we hiked through the Tumbling Run Game Preserve, which is one of those privately owned portions of the trail---and the area was covered in blooming Mountain Laurel.  In Pennsylvania, its our state flower---having long ago been given that official designation by Governor Gifford Pinchot.
After hiking through the Preserve , the trail descends for the remainder of the way to Fuller Lake, going from 2000 feet at Shippensburg Road to about 800 feet near the lake.

This part of the trail is famous as the "half-way point" for thru-hikers--and the spot is marked by a large wooden sign.  We stopped to take a photo in front of it and talk to a thru-hiker who was also snapping a photo.  Tom signed our names in the guestbook that sits in a mailbox next to the sign.   As the sign points out, its 1090.5 miles to Springer Mountain, Georgia--and 1090.5 miles to Mt. Katahdin, Maine.  
The trail later passes Little Rocky Ridge and enters Pine Grove Furnace State Park—which is one of the most historical sections of the trail in Pennsylvania.   Starting in the late 1700s, pig iron was forged in this area and many of the oldest structures (or their ruins) still stand.   Perhaps the most impressive structure in this area is the old Ironmasters Mansion, which was built in 1829 by Peter Ege and had served as a hostel for many hikers over the years.   It has recently been restored by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (http://centralpaconservancy.org/node/335 )
The Appalachian Trail Museum is situated just up the road from the Mansion, and is a wonderful stop along the trail.   Through displays of pictures and artifacts, it tells the story of how the trail moved from a concept to reality in the early part of the 20th century.  Interestingly, it also includes the most recent sign from Mt. Katahdin, where the trail ends in Maine.  The famous sign is replaced every dozen or so years, as it is gradually worn down by both the weather and the carvings of hikers names made into the wood.  (find out more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Katahdin )
As Shannon and Wyatt had earlier been picked up by Mona and spent a few hours enjoying the lake—we met them there at the completion of our hike and left the park just as a thunderstorm threatened overhead.


A hot, but fun day of hiking--and we were happy to have Rich joining us again on the trail.  About 190 miles to go!

April 29 (Rt. 30 to Shippensburg Road)

11 miles
Tom, Molly, Wyatt, Mike, Shannon (part), Brandon (part)




The month of April was book-ended by our hikes—each ending at Route 30 trailhead.   Today we hiked from Shippensburg Road in a southerly route, and for the first time encountered a number of hikers –and some with dogs--along the way.
The Shippensburg Road trailhead sits at about 2000 feet and the path to Route 30 is mostly level—hovering the ridge for about 8 miles before a 2 mile decent to 1000 feet.   There are some beautiful plants that were beginning to appear, and also some streams and small ponds along the route.
Some hikers were enjoying the Birch Run Shelters when we arrived there, and our appetites were tested by the wonderful aromas coming from their cookware.  We decided to rest for a few minutes in the area of the shelter, and enjoyed the trail mix that Mona had packed for us.  As has become custom over the past few hikes, Wyatt enjoyed a SlimJim beef jerky  and cheese snack that has become his staple when we stop to rest.
We met our first “thru-hikers” at the shelter—a young couple who told us briefly about their travel plan.  They had started in Georgia in early March and expected to reach Maine by mid-July.  They said they were averaging 15-18 miles per day, a very respectable rate at which to travel.
Along with seeing more hikers and dogs than in previous hikes, we also came upon our first snake!  The common black snake (eastern rat, perhaps?) was almost mistaken (by me) for a long stick lying across the trail path (see picture at right).   Despite its size (about 4 feet), the black snake is harmless and didn’t pose a threat as we stopped to take a few pictures before he found his way up the branches of a large rhododendron .
Speaking of snakes, later in the hike we took pictures of the signs posted to remind hikers that the timber rattlesnakes along South Mountain are protected and therefore it is unlawful to harm or disturb them in any manner.

Like last time, Shannon and Brandon joined us for part of the trip.  And, this was the first segment that did not have Rich joining us.


April 1 (Old Forge Road to Rt. 30)

10 miles
Tom, Rich, Molly, Wyatt, Mike,  Shannon (part), Brandon (part)





As they say, success breeds success, and the same is true when hiking.   Having successfully completed 8 miles, the next segment from Route 30 back to Old Forge was longer, again a southerly route, and seemed like something we could accomplish with ease.  At 11 miles, it was 2 miles longer than the first trek, and we got a later start, but we knew that we would finish before dusk.  On this second leg of our trek, Shannon and Brandon joined us for part of the hike, and Molly was a new addition to our hiking team.
The trailhead sits at 1000 feet, later climbs to 2000, and then begins to slope back down to 1000 feet near the end.  At times, the trail hugged the ridge of the mountain and there were incredible rock formations—the geologic reminder that we were walking by millions of years of history.
About 8 miles into the hike, we passed Chimney Rock—another beautiful formation.  Tom and Wyatt took a few minutes to explore the cluster of rocks, while the rest of us looked out over the valley below South Mountain.
The trail is in the thick of Michaux State Forest, which is beautiful even in the early Spring.  Michaux spans three counties and totals more than 86,000 acres.  These timber lands are managed and supervised by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Forest District Office staff.  You can find out more about Michaux and DCNR at this link: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/michaux/index.htm
We were joined again by Shannon and Brandon nearing the end of our hike--and made a long descent down the mountain---and headed off for dinner at a nearby country restaurant. 
About 212 miles to go!



March 4 (PenMar to Old Forge Road)

8 miles
Tom, Rich, Shannon, Wyatt, Mike


If 11am sounds like a late start for our first day of hiking, it must be understood that the morning began much earlier than that for Tom, Shannon, Wyatt, Rich and Mona.  As they live three hours to the west, in Pittsburgh, their first journey of the day would be on the PA Turnpike—their second the trail—and their third the trip home.   For me (Mike) it was much easier—as I only had to travel a little more than an hour from my home in Harrisburg.

We met along the road east of Chambersburg and decided to head to Old Forge Road, and hike in a southerly direction for this first segment.  This may seem confusing, given that we are going from Maryland to New Jersey (south to north) but each consecutive segment can be hiked in either direction.  Primarily, we decided on the first day route as an attempt to ease into our hike.  By this, we would avoid the almost immediate steep ascent that begins in Pen Mar—and instead option for what would be a steep descent after a day on the trail.
There are few signs of life out on the AT in early March.   The ground was still bare, and the leaves had not yet appeared on the trees under which we hiked.  The trail was clearly marked though, and any obstructions--like fallen branches or trees--had been cleared, so it was evident that volunteers had likely been busy with maintenance projects throughout the mild winter.

Starting at 1000 feet above sea level at Old Forge Road, the first segment gradually rose to 1500 feet before taking a dip down to 1100, ascended again to 1700, and then ended in Pen Mar at 1200 feet.  The eight mile trek brought us past two shelters (Antietam and Deer Lick Run), which were both well maintained—and not surprisingly unoccupied at this time of year.
Most impressive for us hikers was the pace set by 7 year old Wyatt—who was leading the group more often than not—and who seemed tireless throughout.  After 8 miles, and the better part of the day spent along the trail, there was little doubt that Wyatt could have kept on going had we not reached the Mason-Dixon Line. 
While we hiked, Mona was out antiquing and shopping.  She had earlier provided the trail support we needed by packing some good food and snacks for us to enjoy.   She was there to meet us at the end of the day, in Pen Mar, ready to transport us back to our cars at Old Forge Road.  
The weather was ideal, and it was a great first day of hiking.   We had 8 miles under our belts, and about 222 to go!