New Jersey Appalachian Trail this weeken d??

“Crazypace, Phantom Soul and myself are meeting up tomorrow early afternoon to hike on the NJ AT. looks like the plan is to hike from Blairstown/Millbrook Rd to US Rt 206 in Culver Gap. We're going to camp at the Brink Road Shelter. That's 10 miles on Saturday and 4 miles on Sunday and the weather looks outstanding and the meteor shower is an added bonus.

We'll like meet at the trailhead on Blairstown Road between one and two tomorrow. Get in touch if you're interested.”

“Is Blairstown Rd and Millbrook Rd the same place? About a mile or two north of the MOC?”

“I was just there last Sunday, nice area! Unfortunatly I can't make it tomorrow :-(

Too much family crap to do......Enjoy!!



View from the AT near the Catfish Fire Tower.”

“what about meeting us at the shelter on Sunday and hiking down to Culver Gap with us. Maybe you could park on Brink Rd.”

“I like that, let me see what I can finagle.”

“that would be awesome BS”

“Anyone know directions to the brink road trailhead?”

“take use 206 north thru culver gap and turn left onto Woods Road after Kittatinny Lake. Park at the Jacob Ladder Trail and hike up to the AT and then south on the AT to the Shelter. Should be less than 2 miles.

Brink Road crosses the AT right near the shelter, but I can't see on the map how to get to Brink Rd.”

“I'm back in Reading. Phantomsoul, crazypace and myself didn't get started until 3pm yesterday and we stopped at all the views. We saw bears, mama and cub up on Rattlesnake Mountain. Crazypace got the best look at them. Other than that, alot of deer, people and views of the Thunderswamp Trail region in PA and the Kittatiny Ridge in Jersey.

When we got the the Brink Rd shelter,we had hiked 11 miles and it was 8aclock and still light out, so we decided to push forward and try and find an open meadow that wouldmake for nice camping.

It got dark not long before we proceeded. Phantomsoul forgot his headlamp, but crazypace, the always prepared one, had an extra. After being started in the dark woods by a deer and two plus miles later,we found our open grassy meadow and it had a nice view of Branchville and Newton, as well as Culvers Lake. We set up camp. It was 930. Had dinner and sat up sipping liquor and whisky and watched shooting stars before weall crashed around midnight.

This morning we were up around 630 and on the trail by 8.

It was a short 1 mile hike down to Culvers Gap.

Great weekend. The weather could not have been more perfect.”

“To all of yous who think that New Jersey doesn't have any good hiking, you really need to check out Kittatinny Ridge. While most of the AT was mellow woods roads, this section from Blairstown Rd to Culvers Gap even had a couple New York style rock scrambles. Spectacular views of Pennsylvania's Poconos from Rattlesnake Mtn -- we even came across some of those legendary New Jersey bears, and even a 7-ft long rattlesnake skin.

We pulled into camp at about 10-pm -- way after dark -- me hiking with a little clip light on my hat, since I left my Tikka in my car -- genious move, don't you think? (Thanks Crazypace, for carrying the backup). I gotta tell you, Cowboy camping on that meadow overlooking Culver Lake and Culvers Gap rivaled even the very best view campsites at Deep Gap and Wilburn Ridge -- kinda makes me feel real proud that New Jersey is actually still capable of producing views like that...

This morning's hike was only about a mile to Culvers Gap, and we were at the cars by 9. Being home by 10:30a, this was one of the shortest drives home ever for me.

I had an awesome time; I gotta do more trips up that way...
last edited: 8/13/06 2:14:27 PM”

“Sounds like a good time. Wish I could have gone but Didn't see the trip post until Sat.”

“ahh bummer LS. We got a late start too.

BTW, are you going to the Quehanna trip in two weeks? Take a look at the Chuck Keiper Trail trip in September too, it'll be a lot like the Black Forest Trail trip, mileage wise.”

“weekend's fotos!!
http://community.webshots.com/album/553119280SOAjSW”

“Great TR and Pics guys. Had to work this weekend.

I Look forward to hiking with you again PS and CP.
I am going to try and sneak by the D fest next weekend.”

“cool beans JS. I'll be hanging out Saturday. If you make it, the Pinnacle Loop is a nice hike.”

“I just need to know the particulars cuz I'll prolly not be in the area till early afternoon Saturday.”