Miles hiked: 19.86
Start: Tumbling Run Shelters, PA
Finish: Birch Run Shelter, PA
Elevation gain: 3,428'
If there is one thing that Pennsylvania is known for, at least among thru hikers, it is the rocks; and they come in a wild variety--from small sharp pointy stones that leave no place for a decent foot plant, to fields of knee-high boulders that requires walking a circuitous route, to piles of car-sized boulders stacked on each other, as in the photo above. Whatever the rock formation, they slow you down, so most hikers do not care for northeast Pennsylvania, where the rocks are the worst.
On the other hand, Pennsylvania's trails can be charming and some of their shelters are top-notch.
These photos were taken at the Quarry Gap Shelter, where I stopped for lunch only. The shelter is maintained by an 80-year-old man who takes great pride in his adopted shelter. While I missed meeting him, I later heard from a couple other hikers who lent the caretaker a hand. Seems that he was hauling two 80-pound bags of concrete mix up the trail for a new project that he wants to install at the shelters. And then the dory that he was using broke, so he was found carrying the third 40-pound sack up the hill on his shoulders!
Yes, hanging flower pots near the trail to the north.
Clean, clear water just 15 feet from the shelter--no half-mile downhill hike at this shelter!
Interestingly, today's hike took me into Michaux State Forest, where I've orienteered before.
Route from my Suunto.
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