AT from Delaware Water Gap to PA443, PA-
Part 1:
Delaware Water Gap to Danielsville, PA
|
This 113 mile 14 day backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail took
place between April 4 and April 17, 2005.
Day 0, 04/04/2005- The day started out great! I caught the bus in Bristow, VA on time, made it to the Falls Church, VA Metro Station on time, made it to Union Station, DC in good time, made it to Penn Station, NY about a half hour late via the Acela Express, made it to the NYC Port Authority Bus Station in good time, then caught a Martz Bus to Delaware Water Gap, PA. Everything was going well, until I got to DWG. They had severe flooding caused by the previous weekend's rains. I noticed that the Delaware River was very high as I approached the Gap. Then I noticed that the service road parallel to I80 was under water! When I got to DWG the Ramada Limited, where I had Fedex'd my backpack and was planning on spending the next 2 nights, was under water and closed. And my backpack was in that building. To make a long story short, the waters receded, I was able to later get my pack, it was dry and I am staying in a Presbytarian Church Hostel tonight. It all worked out, except that I will again miss the 10 mile section between Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ and DWG because a 3 mile section of the AT along the service road along I80 is still under water. So I will start hiking south tomorrow and be a day ahead of schedule. Day 1, 04/05/2005- Good day today. Getting out of town was rough, 2 mile up, 1300 foot elevation change. After that, the trail was mostly on old roads so I was able to make good time. The last few miles before Kirkridge Shelter were all PA rocks. No water at Kirkridge Shelter. A very nice local lady who had day hiked to the shelter told me where to hike to water in the valley below. After a 2 mile round trip to get water, I ate dinner at PA91 Fox Gap, hiked a few more miles and camped just before Wolf Rocks, PA Day 2, 04/06/2005- One of the worst hiking days that I have ever had. The goal was 12 miles. Right after leaving camp I had about a half mile of hopping rocks along a ledge. Not fun if you have a 40 pound backpack on and there is a 50 foot drop below. After that the next 5 miles were some of the worst trail that I have ever seen. PA rocks non-stop, hundreds of blow downs. I had to navigate, figure out where the trail was, and climb through it all. It looks like this section of trail hasn't had any maintenance for a long time. The only other bad thing that was missing on this stretch were killer ups! When I finally descended into Wind Gap, PA, it was straight down. No switchbacks. I got to the Gateway Motel around 2ish, got some water and a Coke, then tried to eat something before leaving town. I felt like hell on the up going south from Wind Gap. I think the sun was causing me to get sunburned and feel yucky. The trail was in alot better shape going south. Different trail club, I guess. I had about 4.2 miles to get to the Leroy Smith Shelter. After about 2.2 miles, I pitched the tent on a pipeline right of way. Right now, I'm watching a beautiful sunset. I may cheat tomorrow and go to a B&B. Day 3, 04/07/2005- I cheated and won! I was 2 miles behind starting out. Tanked up with water at the Leroy Smith Shelter. I had to go 12 miles to Little Gap, PA, then 2 more miles to the Filbert Inn Bed and Breakfast in Danielsville, PA by 5PM. With those PA rocks I wasn't making my miles. So I descended the mountain at the Delps Trail and started road walking towards Danielsville, PA. A local gave me a ride after a short walk. I called the B&B owner around 3:30PM. She picked me up in Danielsville and I was at the B&B by 4:30PM. I got a hot shower, a great dinner, a good night's sleep and a fantastic breakfast. Oh, and I avoided a major thunderstorm as well :)
Part 2: Danielsville to PA501, PA>>
|
Presbyterian Hostel, DelawareWater Gap, PA. By Mike Calabrese.
|
