Our Old Friend The Pinnacle

Hi Blog! Today is Friday May 8, 2015.  Dave had his pre-op physical yesterday and he is good to go for surgery on Tuesday.  This gives us just a few days to get out and about and enjoy the warm weather and sunshine. Since coming back to the Hatfield area on May 1st, we have been itching to get out and explore some of our old favorite hiking trails. One of the first Appalachian Trail hikes we ever did was to The Pinnacle on Blue Mountain in Hamburg, PA. Many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers claim the views at the Pinnacle are the best views on the Pennsylvania stretch of the AT. We happen to agree with them. Here is Kathy at the trailhead located on Pine Swamp Road.

We started our hike with a very steep uphill walk along an old woods road which took us us to the Appalachian Trail. The first part of our hike is through State Game Lands which is why Dave is wearing his orange hat. Kathy's hat is still hanging on the back of her pack. Here we are at the trail junction.

After a mile or so on the AT, we passed this cool beautiful sun-dappled babbling brook. (If I think of any more adjectives to describe this wonderful little spot, I'll come back and add them.) In the meantime, just enjoy this photo. If you try real hard you can almost hear the water splish splashing on the rocks.

Spring has sprung! All of the trees are turning green again.

After a few more miles, we came to this wide open clearing known to the locals as the helipad. This area is kept open so helicopters can land in case of medical emergency. It was last used on Saturday, October 13, 2013 when Lara Louise Kadambi, 38, a hiker from Pike Creek, Delaware, was critically injured after falling about 30 feet from the Appalachian Trail near the Pinnacle. Although there are frequent sprained ankles and other non-lethal injuries along that section of the Appalachian Trail, Kempton Fire Chief Ethan Kunkel believes this is the first time in five years that an emergency helicopter evacuation was required. But just in case, the helipad is ready.

All around the perimeter of the helipad are bunches of little white flowers. It almost looks like someone planted them on purpose to mark where the helicopter should land.

After five miles of uphill walking, we finally made it to The Pinnacle! Here Kathy adds another rock to the cairn.

The trail guide warns that this trail can get a little rocky, but this is ridiculous!

Now for the big pay off. Unfortunately, all the warm weather we have been having has brought with it some humidity. The early morning fog almost burned off by the time we reach the lookout.

The hazy view didn't stop Dave from enjoying his peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

We picked a nice big,flat rock so we could stretch out and relax. We kept one eye out for rattlesnakes who frequent The Pinnacle. Lucky for us, they seemed to be elsewhere.

Before long it was time to put the boots back on and head down the trail.  But first, a little summit selfie!

Remember that cool beautiful sun-dappled babbling brook? We need to add refreshing! After Kathy soaked her head in the water she decided cool should be changed to icy cold!

The remainder of the hike was uneventful, but what made it memorable was that is was almost 10.5 miles, which is long for us.  With the ups and downs, it made for a challenging day.

There is nothing better than spending the whole day hiking and coming home and having dinner all ready for you. Three cheers for the crockpot! Who ever invented it should get a medal.