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 20^th 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!