AT Day 84: Creeks, Bridges, Beavers & Ridgetops

Daily Miles: 23.4, Total Miles: 1,194.5

Chilly with a light rain most of the night leaving everything damp. Just after starting out this morning, I saw a bobcat up a side trail. He or she didn’t stick around long – I don’t know who was more surprised!

Heavy mist most of the morning but by early afternoon, clear, sunny and warming up fast. Started high on a ridge before dropping down at Rausch Creek. I carefully crossed an old, flooded beaver dam area on downed logs and limbs.

I somehow managed to keep my shoes dry. Just as I reached Swatara Creek, I met a young man who had just landed a beautiful 18″ rainbow trout. After crossing an 1890’s iron bridge over the creek, I stopped for lunch and to dry out my gear.

Now probably pushing 75 degrees, I had a warm climb back to the ridgetop, first passing through a large burn area, then returning to tall trees just leafing out. After another eight miles, I found a campsite pretty much above Pine Grove PA.

I saw my first Eastern Newt on the second half of the AT, a crazy, orange creature. New birds today: Black-throated Green Warbler and a noisy Ovenbird, my most “heard” bird last year.