The forecast today is for more rain throughout the day and the temperature is now a pleasant 65F degrees. The humidity is banging from all the rain.
We hop on the trail in front of Marty's Yellow House, a hostel / B&B, which Marty is lovingly restoring. He is a contractor and his attention to detail is unbelievable. Each of the three rooms he rents has a beautiful ensuite bathroom. The gorgeous kitchen is made with reclaimed lumber and I love the concrete counter top. We were hoping to stay here last night, but unfortunately he was booked. Not surprising considering the cruddy weather.
The trail takes us briefly through town and then we cross the Delaware River over a pedestrian walkway on the busy bridge. Halfway over the bridge, we cross the state lines between Pennsylvania and New Jersey!! Another state checked off the list.
We get off the bridge and walk through a picnic area along the river. A large sign tells of the number of tragedies resulting from swimming in the area.
We walk under the interstate, and after crossing a parking lot, we are back in the woods and on a real trail.
The trail parallels a beautiful stream with lots of small cascades. For another mile we are hiking uphill against the stream, so we get to witness the beauty of the water cascading down on it's journey to meet the river below.
We are hiking in a mixed forest of mostly hardwoods interspersed with eastern hemlock. Beech, black birch, and white oaks tower over the forest floor covered in the requisite blueberry bushes and ferns.
Two miles into our day, we achieve another milestone. "1300" is written in sticks on the edge of the trail. We are now less than 900 miles from the terminus of the AT at Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
The trail takes us next to Sunfish Pond. Made from a glacier and a National Natural Landmark, the pond is on top of the ridge. A sign also states that it is one of New Jersey's Natural Wonders. After all the hype I would love to report it was this gorgeous and amazing place, but I can't see anything more than 15 feet from the water's edge due to the thick fog blanketing the pond. I guess I will have to Google some pictures when I get the chance.
The rain has stopped but the air is dense with moisture and I am drenched with water from brushing the leaves of the plants lining the trail. The foliage is so thick on the sides of the path that in some places the plants meet in the middle of the trail. I am getting so wet that I stop and put on my raincoat.
The trail becomes incredibly rocky in places. We knew the rocks weren't going to stop when we stepped over the Pennsylvania state line, so I am prepared for them now. We were maintaining a great pace for the first couple of hours, but now I have to slow down to pick my way over and around the boulders and big pointy rocks.
We pass many rocky outcrops and traverse a few mountaintop meadows that the app reports offer some amazing views. One comment even states that this is one of the best views on the entire Appalachian Trail. Once again I will have to take everybody's word for it and be disappointed by the fact that I will have zero views today. I find solace in the blueberries that I pick along the way.
We cross a gravel road and a sign points the way to the Appalachian Mountain Club's Mohican Resort. We decide to go check out the resort, and a few minutes later we are at an oasis in the woods, offering cooked-to-order food and a small store.
We both order sandwiches and craft soda. I get a Maine blueberry soda and it was divine. The cheese steak was all right. Getting out of the rain for a little while was lovely.
We take a wrong turn as we leave and end up getting a bonus mile as we wonder aimlessly around the grounds. We finally find the trail and climb back up the ridge.
At the top we come to a big clearing with the tall Catfish Fire Tower. The fire tower is closed to the public, which is fine with me. I tried climbing a fire tower once in Smoky Mountain National Park and only got up two levels before I chickened out. Once again we are supposed to have excellent views of the valley below. I can barely see the fire tower with all this fog.
The trail leaves the ridge and at the bottom, near a gravel road, we fill our water bladders. The next two water sources are at a beaver dam, and we prefer fresh spring water over that filled with beaver poop.
We passed the beaver pond and I must say it is quite impressive. These are some busy little beavers for sure.
We have a short climb back up to the ridge. On the way up, the rain starts again. We pass a couple of really awesome campsites, but we both like to make it a couple more miles before we stop for the day. It's only 4:00 p.m. and we don't want to set up camp too early and waste daylight.
An hour later, and with two more miles under our belts, we come to a nice open area that is considered an official campsite. We would both prefer a shelter with all this rain, but the next shelter Is still seven miles away. We decide this is going to be home for a night, and we both set up our camps.
I will have to do a bear hang for my food bag. It is one of my least favorite camp chores ever. For an effective bear hang, you need a tree branch that is 15 feet off the ground and six feet from the tree. That sounds really easy until you go looking for one to hang your bear bag on. Then you have to try to throw a rock-filled bag attached to a rope over the branch without it getting tangled up in the branch. I tell you it is absolutely maddening.
I manage a passable bear hang on my third or fourth try. With my camp set up, down and eat dinner. I don't really feel like cooking anything so I just graze through my food bag. I can't believe I ordered food at the Mohican Center when I am carrying all this food up and down hills for miles and miles.
We say good night and I am in my hammock just before the rain starts in earnest. Good night.
Today's Stats: 16.8 Miles, 2,635 feet gain
Trail Stats: 1,314 Miles, 260k feet gain
