McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 10/01/2024 | AT Mile 916.8 | Day Total: 16.8 miles | Gain: 2719 ft

Slept just okay last night. I woke up multiple times really hot nearly sweating. I think they have the heat cranked up in here. I took my time this morning, ate breakfast, scheduled some journals, organized my food, and packed up. I talked with a section hiker with the trail name Pappy. He was super kind had some good bear stories.

I left at 10:15. I’ve got no solid plan for today. There is a shelter in 6.4 miles, another shelter that’s 20 miles away or a campsite in 16.8 miles. The only downside to the campsite is that there no water source nearby unless you take it up from the road.

I’ve got a pretty big climb out of town up to Mount Minsi. The climb wasn’t too bad, it was cooler this morning which helped and the sun was behind the clouds as well. There were a decent amount of day hikers I passed through this area too.

Once I got to the top, I’ve got 12 miles of pretty flat terrain. I passed good view of the Delaware River and again a few miles later in a grassy field.

There was a 2ish mile section of nice flat, smooth trail thats an old dirt road. While I was on it I talked with an another section hiker named Toast. He was a very friendly talkative guy. After the road I was greeted by miles of flat but very rocky trail. Rocksylvania is holding up to its name. I came across a section called Wolf Rocks. It was a neat formation of large rocks protruding from the trees.

I’m beginning to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. I hear they are pretty common here in PA. Especially is the rocky sections which there are plenty of.

This afternoon I came across a really odd looking “centipede”. I’ve never seen a bug quite like it.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to stay at the campsite and load up on water at a motel 1.3 miles before it. The descent down to PA 33, where the motel is, was rocky like the rest of the trail had been today. The bottoms of my feet are starting to feel a bit raw/over massaged.

I got some water and made the climb up to camp. There are a bunch of switchbacks as I head up which I am grateful for. Right before camp I had two good views, one to the north and the other to the south

The campsite has lots of spots just not many without rocks sticking up in the middle of them. After walking around for a while I was able to pull some rocks out of the ground and get a nice spot. I can still hear the highway in the distance unfortunately.

I ate some Mac a cheese for dinner. Still not tired of it yet. Hopefully I can get some better sleep tonight. Fingers crossed.