Appalachian Trail, Fox Gap to Wolf Rocks, 4.8 Miles RT, July 12, 2020

July 12, 2020

Today I wanted to hike some of the Appalachian Trail. I figured it would be a nice way to experience more of the terrain and try out the rock scrambles because that seems to be a common thing here. After I got on the road, I realized that I’d forgotten my camera. Ugh. So all of my photos were taken with my mobile phone.

I started this hike at the Fox Gap trailhead and did the Wolf Rocks Loop. The hike starts out mostly flat, but the terrain is rocky in most parts so you have to watch your step or you’ll stub your toe like I did about a million times.

The trail meanders through beautiful groves of fern and it looks like something out of a fairytale at times. There isn’t much elevation to gain until you reach the boulders where you’ll scramble your way up to the ridge to the overlook. Once on the ridge you’ll boulder hop your way across. You can pick any of the outcroppings to climb up and check out the views. I could see a little above the tree line and make out some of the area’s high points, one of which is called Pimple Hill, a summit in Monroe County that stands at 2,197’. What a funny name. We sat for a bit on the boulders and enjoyed the cool morning breeze before heading back. It was a fun early morning hike and we saw only a few people on this trail. I would like to come back to this trailhead and next time hike it northbound from Fox Gap towards the Delaware Watergap.

Columcille Megalith Park, Bangor, PA, July 11, 2020

July 11, 2020

I woke up a little before 5 am on this Saturday morning. The cardinals were singing outside my bedroom window in the big maple tree as dawn was about to break. As much as I wanted to enjoy the birdsong and keep sleeping, I couldn’t get my mind off a place my aunt had shared with me called Columcille Megalith Park in the Appalachian mountains.

Columcille is a hidden gem located in Bangor, PA. It is the creation of the late William Cohea, Jr. who was inspired by a dream he had after visiting Iona, a small island on the western coast of Scotland. According to ancient history, the early Celts considered Iona a place where the veil is thin and one’s spirit could easily travel between worlds. There were once over 350 standing stones on the isle along with sacred oak groves. Inspired by his vision, Mr. Cohea made his dream reality in 1975 when he created Columcille.

Within the grounds of this enchanted park you’ll find circles of standing stones, pathways to hidden sacred sites, a faerie ring (don’t be surprised if you see one), a winding labyrinth and a chapel, named after St. Columba. There is a beautiful bell tower with large quartz and lapis lazuli stones inset in the top of the stone building. The surrounding woods are filled with fern, wild mushrooms and toadstools. I could have lingered here all day. Each winding path led to something magical. It’s a wonderful place for a quiet walk or meditation. I will definitely be visiting again.

Hickory Run State Park, Hawk Falls and Shades of Death Trail, Pocono Mountains, July 2, 2020

July 03, 2020

Today I ventured up to the Pocono Mountains to Hickory Run State Park. I was here years ago, but barely remember it. Hickory Run State Park sits on 15,990 acres in Carbon County and there are 41 miles of hiking trails. It’s also home to Boulder Field, a National Natural Landmark. I parked at the turn out off the 534, east of the turnpike overpass. I picked up a park map at the kiosk and examined the area. I was near Hawk Falls which is just a short .6 miles. I decided to make that my first stop. The trail starts off through thickets of tall rhododendrons and descends on an easy grade to Hawk Run. I’m learning that streams here are referred to as a “run”. I crossed over a footbridge and came to an intersection where you can climb up the steps leading to the Orchard Trail or carry on to Hawk Falls. I noticed that the trails are very well marked and have paint blazes on the trees to guide you. I made my way over to the 25 foot waterfall which was flowing nicely. I wondered if these waterfalls ever get down to a trickle as they do in Southern California where we didn’t get much rain. After snapping some photos, I made my way back to the car. From here I drove over to Sand Spring Lake to use the facilities (Flushable toilets and soap in the restrooms! Score!). There were some families with their kids swimming in the lake and the lake was loaded with bright green bullfrogs! I ran back to my car and pulled out the camera for some pictures. After being way more excited over frogs then a person should be, I pulled out the map again to decided on my next trail. I found a one mile trail called Shades of Death. This trail was noted as being the most difficult hiking in the park. I am not sure what is considered difficult here on the east coast, so of course I wanted to find out. The reality is that this trail was mostly full of rough terrain; tree roots, mud, rocks, but nothing overly terrifying to warrant the name Shades of Death. I later learned after reading the park brochure, that the trail was named by the colonists for its dark forests, swamps and rocky soil. So don’t let this name discourage you, I saw many families with small children hiking here. The muddy, rocky trail follows along Sand Spring run and takes you through more rhododendrons just like the Hawk Falls trail. There are notable rock formations and at one point there’s a narrow slot with steps cut into stone that you have to climb up. Along my way I saw many small waterfalls. I was not at a loss for lush greenery. There were a couple of dams and the remains of logging mills which I understand date back to the early 1800s. This hike does not gain much elevation, but it was a very nice hike through the shady forest along the stream. The trail ended in a grassy meadow leading up to the visitors center. I turned around here and returned the way I came. It was a lovely morning and a good introduction of what’s to come on the Pennsylvania trails.

Jacobsburg State Park, Hazard Trail to Homestead Trail and Henry's Forge, 2 Miles, June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Today I headed back up to Jacobsburg State Park. It’s nearby and such a wonderful place to take in some nature. I parked in the main parking lot and took the Hazard Trail. I remember hiking this with my dog when I was a kid in the snow and ice. In the summer months, it’s really not much of a hazard. The trail is a single dirt track and it’s well maintained. There’s even a set of steps to take you up one of the steeper sections. The trail climbs easily above Bushkill Creek and there are nice views looking down to the water. At about a half mile I came upon a beautiful meadow filled with Yarrow and Common Milkweed. There were many birds here enjoying the first rays of sunshine. I could hear Eastern Towhee, Brown Thrasher and Gray Catbirds. I turned south and followed the path through the meadow which is part of the Homestead Trail. This trail skirts around the edge of the park on the southeast side. It was partly cloudy today making the walk around the open grassy areas very pleasant. The dewy grass and cool breeze felt so refreshing. In my journey I noted some wildflowers; Coneflower, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Common St. John’s Wort, Red Clover, Crown Vetch, Wild Bergamont and a few others that I wasn’t able to identify. I closed the loop around the park by heading towards the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center and exiting the trail there. I took a quick side trip across Belfast Road to visit the Henry’s Forge historic buildings before heading home. I’m really enjoying these relaxing morning hikes and taking the time to explore and learn the flora and fauna of the east coast.

Jacobsburg State Park, Henry's Woods to Jacobsburg Trail, 4 Mile walk, June 28, 2020

June 28, 2020

Today I woke up before sunrise and headed out for a walk around Jacobsburg State Park* in Nazareth. Jacobsburg State Park offers a 19 mile network of trails ranging from deciduous forest to open fields and streams. Its diverse habitats host many species of butterflies, birds, reptiles, mammals and amphibians.

Today I was interested in photographing the early morning light in Henry’s Woods, an old growth forest consisting of tall stands of hemlock and white oak.

I arrived at the main parking lot off Belfast Road around 6:30 am. There was only one other car in the lot as I began my walk along the wide dirt path leading into Henry’s Woods. The forest was dark but rays of morning sunlight pierced through the trees making for some interesting light. The great Hemlock and White Oak trees towered above my head. The air was humid but cool as I meandered alongside Bushkill Creek taking photos of the lush greenery and the wildflowers. At the end of the Henry’s Woods Trail I reached a fork and followed it northeast to the Jacobsburg Trail which crosses over Belfast Road and onto a wide, grassy path. I followed along the Jacobsburg Trail which runs parallel to highway 33 until it turns southwest and crosses over a bridge above Engler’s Run Creek. I went a little too far and ended up at the parking area on State Park Road. There are a lot of interconnecting trails within the park, and it can get confusing. But if you have a general sense of direction and a map (which you can find at the main parking lot kiosk), you’ll figure out where you are. From here I backtracked and veered off the wide path to explore one of the overgrown use trails that lead down to Engler’s Run Creek. There wasn’t a good spot to ford the creek (unless you were on horseback), so I went back up the path and did a lollipop loop back onto the Jacobsburg Trail and eventually back through Henry’s Woods. By this time it was around 8 am and joggers and dog walkers were making their way onto the trails. It was a lovely morning to spend a few hours enjoying the quiet hours of the park.

*A quick little history about Jacobsburg: In 1792 William Henry II purchased land at Jacobsburg and built a gun manufactory. Henry II acquired the land from the heirs of Jacob Hubler who founded the community which is now called Jacobsburg. The famous Henry rifle was once crafted here, and the Henry family’s small arms industry played an important role in the American Industrial Revolution.

Monocacy Way Trail, Heritage Trail Section 26, Illick's Mill to Schoenersville Road, 2 Mile Nature Walk Out & Back, June 26, 2020

June 27, 2020

It had been a long couple of months locked away in a city apartment with the Covid pandemic looming over the world. On top of everything I was preparing for a move to eastern Pennsylvania. I was able to get in a few short, local hikes in Griffith Park before I left California, but no wilderness or desert hiking for months. Being away from the backcountry took a toll on my mental and physical well being. It broke my heart to cancel all my plans in Joshua Tree, Idyllwild and the Eastern Sierra, and I was not able to bid what I loved most about California, which were its high-elevation trails, wilderness and desert backcountry a proper farewell. But now I have arrived on the east coast and as the world is beginning to return to what people are referring to as “the new normal”, I am finally starting to feel more like myself again.

Tonight my husband and I began our journey to exploring nature on the east coast. Even though I grew up here, seeing Pennsylvania as an adult is seeing it with a new perspective. We started off with a short walk on a nature trail not far from our home called the Monocacy Way Trail. I used to walk this trail when I lived here over 20 years ago. It has now become part of Historic Bethlehem’s 10.9 mile long Heritage Trail which was designed to give Bethlehem city explorers a taste of Bethlehem history from its Moravian roots to its industrial heyday of the Bethlehem Steel.

We started at the trailhead at Illick’s Mill* across from Monocacy Park. The trail begins as a paved walkway but quickly turns into a proper dirt track. The first thing I noticed is how much greener everything is compared to Southern California. It’s quite a different color pallet. As I walked the trail became a symphony of birdsong; Gray Catbirds, Wood thrush, Carolina Wren and American Robins. There are many use trails along the path if you want to veer off the main trail and walk along Monocacy Creek. Wildflowers are plentiful here with Forget-me-nots, Honeysuckle, Day Lily, Milkweed and Aster. The trail winds along the creek and eventually crosses over the train tracks. I then passed by an open grassy meadow full of thistle and grazing bunnies. At about .8 miles I arrived at Schoenersville Road. If you cross Schoenersville Road, you will continue on past the Burnside Plantation. It was already dark by this time, so we headed back. As we did the fireflies started to light up the trail, just as I remembered from when I was a kid. This is a nice little nature walk bursting with wildlife such as deer, rabbits, box turtles, birds, etc. Great for a quick dose of nature any time of day.

*A little history about Illick’s Mill: The grist mill was built on the Monocacy Creek by John Peter and his son Joseph in 1856. At that time it operated as a flour and feed company. The Mill changed hands many times over the years opening and closing its doors. In 1935, the Bethlehem Water Authority took over the Mill and the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration constructed Monocacy Park. Then in 1965 the Mill was restored and reopened as a music venue appealing to Lehigh Valley teenagers. It closed its doors again in 1973. Over the years, the Mill continued to change ownership. But what I remember most about Illick’s Mill were the years it hosted a haunted house attraction run by the Bethlehem Jaycees in the 80s and 90s. In the year 2005, the Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places. As of today the Mill is home to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Mid-Atlantic Conservation Office and is available for meetings and events through the City of Bethlehem.