McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 9/30/2024 | AT Mile 900.0 | Day Total: 24.9 miles | Gain: 2801 ft

Sleep okay last night. The couple that’s in the shelter with me both snore really loud. It woke me up multiple times last night. At 6 I began to move around and pack up. Ate some breakfast and left just after 7.

Big mileage day today, about 25 miles into Delaware Water Gap. There’s not a whole lot of elevation gain just rolling along the top of the range. The past few days the trails been similar in a sense and it appears to do the same up ahead.

It was a fairly foggy start to the morning. I was hopeful that it would clear up later. I had to put on wet shoes this morning, they may dry throughout the day.

Late in the morning the sun was burning off the dense fog. It’s been a few days since I’ve seen the sun and I’m excited to see my shadow again.

Once I was over Rattlesnake mountain the trail really flattened out. I passed Crater Lake and a few views. I never got a clear view of the lake through the trees but I could see the glimmer of water.

I continued along the flat and the sun was singing brightly. There were some cool sections that were rocky and offered stunning views. The sun has also dried off the surface of the rocks so they are much more grippy now.

I passed by a bog that seems out of place as it’s on top of a mountain. Lots of the trees are chewed at their base from beavers so maybe the beavers blocked off the bog?

I planned to have lunch at the Catfish Firetower. There’s a little descent and ascent right before it. The trail goes along a gravel fire road for a short time and I saw a massive black rat snake. It was probably 4-5ft long and I walked right by it and took a second glance to realize what it was. Not a quarter mile passed before I saw another small garter snake on the same road. They like basking in the sun…

I filled up at a water source named Rattlesnake Spring ironically. It was flowing really well, clear and cold right before the ascent to the fire tower for lunch.

Catfish Fire Tower is another still active fire tower with weather instruments smarted around it. The public is not allowed to climb it because it’s still in use. Despite that there is still a great view that I sat in front of while I ate lunch and dried my tent in the sun.

As I was wrapping up lunch Kill Bill walked up. I was shocked to see him because he had camped 7 miles behind me yesterday. He said his phone is nearly dead and wanted to get into town to recharge it today. He began hiking at 5:15 this morning and plans to make it 32 miles into Delaware Water Gap. Crazy.

After lunch I continued to Kittatinny Ridge. For a half mile the trail goes along the edge of some rocks and has spectacular views to the southeast. The campsites up here are some of the best I’ve seen. Only downside is there’s no water access.

I had one last climb up to Raccoon Ridge, then the next 8 miles are all downhill or flat. Right before the climb I crossed over the road that takes you to the Mohican outdoor center. Behind a tree there was a large cooler labeled trail magic! I took a short break and had a Gatorade and a bag of chips! Thanks Walnut Valley UMC!

The climb wasn’t too bad and the views were well worth it. I got my first glimpse of the Delaware River too!

The trail is definitely getting more rocky… I’m getting really close to the hiker named “Rocksylvania” (Rock Pennsylvania). The section around Sunfish Pond was particularly rocky.

The descent into Delaware Water Gap was long and very gradual. I was very okay with that. As I got towards the bottom I passed lots of day hikers along the Dunnfield Creek.

The last two miles today is mostly a road walk. I’ve got to cross the Delaware River over a bridge on interstate 80. And with crossing the Delaware comes a new state! Pennsylvania!!!

I continued into Delaware Water Gap and to The Church of the Mountain Hiker Center. The church has been running a small hostel since 1976. Incredible! Dave the Caretaker is super kind and welcoming.

I jumped in the shower and laid out some gear to dry. My tent is still wet from the rain two nights ago. Bill Kill showed up 30 minutes later and once we were settled we took an Uber into East Stroudsburg. All of the restaurants are closed that are nearby us because it’s a Monday… but Trackside Bar and Grill is open. I had a burger and two tacos, Monday is taco night there! Walmarts nearby so while we were out, we stopped there to resupply.

We got back and I was able to call my family before crashing in bed. Going to take a slow start to the morning.

I’m staying updated with the hurricane damage down south. The ATC had closed the southern 900 miles of trail. Multiple trail towns have been flooded completely, including the businesses that support hikers like hostels. There are multiple bridge washouts on the roads and trail. Downed trees and landslides have been reported on the trail.