PA Advice Appreciated

[joedannajr]

I friend and I are going to section between Duncannon PA and Wind Gap PA this May. We have 10 days for the trip. The shelters look to be oddly spaced, some being about 19 miles appart. Does anyone have any suggestions about camping areas in this section or anyother thoughts.
Much appreciated
PapaJoe

[ki0eh]

Carry the latest printing of the official A.T. maps printed by Keystone Trails Association. They depict the National Park Service inholdings within PA State Game Lands (SGL). North of Duncannon the NPS parcels are camp-able but stay away from roads.

On PA SGL you are restricted to camping within 200' of the trail (NOT 200' off the trail like some exposed to LNT elsewhere think!), and 500' away from any kind of spring or water course (!!), and any road. Sometimes these regulations are enforced by game wardens (WCO) who are not noted for looking the other way, so these are best followed.

Here are 4 possible areas in the longest gap between Peters Mountain and Rausch Gap shelters, within the "St. Anthony's Wilderness" briefly profiled in the current issue of A.T. Journeys.

Near Clarks Valley (PA 325) on SGL the maps note a spring Trail-south (compass northwest) of the PA 325 crossing. Near or slightly uphill of the junction of the A.T. and the spring trail are small but evident campsites that appear to meet the SGL restrictions. (There are also evident campsites on the spring trail that do NOT meet the restrictions, avoid these.)

Trail-north of PA 325 is a small inholding of NPS (formerly Harrisburg water Authority) property on the side of Stony Mountain. Near the top of this piece, heading northbound it is 1/4 mile after an orange seep, is a seasonal clear water spring in a round enclosure just uphill of the trail. Fairly close by is an old grade where it's at least flat for pitching a tent although somewhat rocky.

Yellow Springs village site is a commonly used stopping point. A white mailbox trail register on trail might mark 500' out of the hollow that has seasonal water, so camping is presumably legit close to and Trail-north of the mailbox. Unfortunately the old foundations close to the trail have been trashed over the years but there are some interesting discoveries a bit further off the current A.T. route. WATCH YOURSELF around old mine holes. The Yellow Spring is indeed yellow (naturally occurring acid drainage) and some distance off the A.T. (Trail-east compass south), visible from the flood-damaged remains of the Yellow Spring side trail.

About 3 miles Trail-south of Rausch Gap shelter, 2.5 miles NB after passing the ruins of Yellow Springs village one will first pass the side trail to "The General" to the left, then the Cold Spring side trail to right. Water can be found down the General side trail any time of year, and Trail-east (compass south) just off the Cold Spring trail to the left (it's a mile down to the eponymous spring which in turn is well off trail, don't get excited) within 200' of the A.T. is a commonly used campsite. If you start down the hill you went too far.

Due to a quirk in how the site was approved, tenting around Rausch Gap shelter is NOT allowed (over 200' off the A.T.) and periodically we hear of this being enforced.

[joedannajr]

WOW, Ki0eh that is fantastic information. If I need anything else may I PM you.
Thanks Again

[Stalking Tortoise]

Yep - ki0eh's info is spot-on.

The only things that I would add are:

There are lots of existing campsites once you pass Swatara Gap (Route 72).
Pizza delivery to the road crossing adjacent to the 501 Shelter is a good thing.
The 501 Shelter is plush. And the view from the privy is pretty darn good.
Make sure your boots are tied tight on the descent into Port Clinton.
One order of the large fries or onion rings will feed two people at the Port Clinton Hotel.
Refill your water bottles when you have the opportunity. There are quite a few stretches in this section where water sources are few and far between.
You will meet the Rocks of PA in earnest after crossing Route 501.
Enjoy the views when crossing over the PA Turnpike's Northeast Extension and when climbing out of Lehigh Gap.
Enjoy your section. May should be an ideal month to cross the Keystone State.

[ki0eh]

I forgot to mention that May is also turkey hunting season. Most of your route is either open to public hunting or close enough to areas that are that hunters might be unaware of hunting prohibition on NPS land (or conveniently tore down the sign).

Our group http://www.satc-hike.org/ strongly encourages wearing an orange hat or vest when hiking in May, consider also an orange pack cover. Try to avoid red, white, and blue colors that when flashing through the woods might appear as a gobbler to a bleary-eyed hunter who awoke way too early. I know some folks have a vehement objection to wearing orange, I guess based on aesthetics. As both a hunter and a hiker I'd rather wear an orange hat than deal with a head full of lead. On a long section hike, who are you going to impress, anyway??

The frustrated hunter might also use his cell phone to complain about your activity, 1.5 years ago I spent three months on clearing up a WCO investigation into my entirely legal conduct on SGL. At least most hunters are somewhat aware of the presence and use of the A.T. - they never heard of the other trails in PA that use SGL.

[batman1177]

all info sounds good i wouldnt sweat the section sometimes the mileage is spaced weird but you'll find camping spots usually between em. watch them rocks north of allentown shelter they can be nasty friggin boulder fields. palmerton is a nice trail town they got the jailhouse hostel which is free with high pressure showers. then you climb into the moon its weird but different---enjoy!!!