AT Day 88: Hawk Mountain Detour

Daily Miles: 24.6, Total Miles: 1,244.8

I called a shuttle driver, Avatar, to take me the three miles back to Port Clinton.

A beautiful day in PA but warming up fast, especially after the climb up from the Schuylkill River. Hiked near the crest of the high ridge nearly all day except for the one time I missed a turn and didn’t discover my error until about one mile later. I fortunately found myself on a road that eventually led me to Hawk Mountain and back to the AT. Just a little extra mileage but saw some nice farms and old barns. I was grateful for the thicker forest and tree cover which gave more shade.

Stopped for lunch at a viewpoint, Dan’s Pulpit. and the infamous PA rocks quickly became the next challenge for several miles. Hopping between rocks, I saw a long, black snake slithering under a rock, I’m thinking a rat snake.

Got to Allentown Hiking Club Shelter, took a much needed break and chatted with two other northbound hikers. Good thing there was a piped spring nearby because I was running on empty. I camelled up and refilled my bottles. I made it another two miles and found a campsite free of large rocks.

Big day – I guess fresher and more energy from the zero day! New birds today: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Northern Parula, Red-eyed Vireo and Northern Flicker.