AT from Palmerton to Wind Gap, PA Backpacking Trip
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This hike was to fill in the final gap to give me contingious mileage from Troutville, VA
to New Jersey (DWG). No doubt future Gaps will come, but, for now I was complete so
to speak.
Palmerton, PA is famous for its very anti-nature existence. The mountains surrounding Palmerton are denuded of vegetation courtesy of the local Zinc plant (Zinc Corporation of America). The pollution is so severe that the area is designated as an EPA Superfund cleanup site. Still, some people find the constant views and moonscape to be very interesting to hike. Halfway through the hike from Palmerton to the Leroy Smith Shelter the scenery changes to your typical forested Pennsylvania mountain. As it was to turn out, this was to be a very wet, soggy trip. I was more fortunate with the weather on this trip, at least for the first day. Day zero - WindGap Motel - September 13, 2002 The Gateway Motel in WindGap is a no thrills motel that offers the convenience of being right next to the trail. I had stayed here before on my hike from WindGap to the Delaware Water Gap. My plan was to go up on a Friday night and stay at the motel and get a taxi to Palmerton Saturday morning to begin a hike back to WindGap. Day One - Palmerton to Leroy Smith Shelter --- September 14, 2002 The day started bright and sunny. I wanted an early start to take advantage of the good wheather. Day one was to be a 16 mile hike from Palmerton to the Leroy Smith Shelter. I hoped to tent near the shelter, since, there were several really beautiful tenting sites nearby. I called the taxi at 7:00 when they were supposed to be on duty. They said to call back at 8:00. I was ready to make alternate plans when I called again at 8:00, but, they were on their way. The taxi service was prompt and took me to my location, but, it was expensive $48.00 with tip ---- ouch. The hike out of Palmerton goes through a trail head parking lot and immediately begins a ascent of the bare Blue Mountain. There are several tough handhold scrambles that are easy with a daypack, but, tough with a backpack. Again I was carrying a full load with a gallon of water. There was to be no reliable or even safe water source until I reached the shelter. Still I enjoyed the tough climb. I felt pretty good, except for my feet which were still pretty sore from my last trip. Once I reached the summit I had great views down the steep sides of the mountain to the Lehigh River below. I continued along the moonscape which eventually started returning to a forest after crossing Little Gap. During my hike I ran across a New York City school teacher out for a day hike. The hiker's name was Jim Flanangan and he was to be our trail angel later that night at the shelter. I reached the shelter feeling pretty good for 16 miles and ran into several Southbound thru-hikers. They were kind enough to make room for me in the shelter. The water source was a very strong, piped spring. It requires a hike down the side from the shelter of about 1/2 mile, but, the water was excellent. A couple of the thru-hikers were using ultra-light Hennesey Hamocks. These are a really neat alternative to both tents and tarps. At the shelter were thru-hikers 10%, Rock Dancer, Bashful and several others. After Dinner, just as it was getting dark, up comes Jim Flanangan with a pack filled with ice cold Coors Lite, Nachos, and dip. All had a great time drinking beer and eating chips and dip. Jim said his goodbyes eventually and all turned in for a good night's rest. Day Two - Leroy Smith Shelter to WindGap - September 15, 2002 In the morning a steady drizzle began giving way to a steady rain. I said goodbye to the Southbounders and headed on my way to WindGap. This hike was to be an easy 4.6 mile hike (pedometer says 5.75) along the ridge. The constant rain kept me focusing on my footing and finishing the hike. While walking I wondered about the Southbounders crossing the open, exposed tundra. I finally arrived at WindGap around 1:30 and quickly changed into some dry clothes. I think this hike is a pretty decent trip, particularily if you do the segment from WindGap to the Leroy Smith Shelter. Even the superfund cleanup area is interesting.
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Small hidden toad.By Tom Stevenson
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