Hiking the A.T. to Round Head

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Hi Blog!

Just like all of you, we are trying our best to self-isolate, be socially distant and protect those we come in contact with. At the same time, we are trying to eat right and get our exercise. Today, we hiked another section of the Appalachian Trail. Our choice was to hike north from PA Highway 501 to the overlook on Round Head.  While we didn't hike with masks on, we did have bandanas at the ready in case we saw someone else on the trail.

Who is that masked hiker?

Shortly after beginning our hike, we crossed over Pilger Ruh Road:

Pilger Ruh translates to "Pilgrim's Rest," the name given to a spring on the old Tulpehocken Path by Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian missionary, on his journey to the Indian towns of Shamokin and Wyoming in 1742. Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf was a very interesting guy. He was a German nobleman who arguably had more to do with the spread of the Moravian faith than anyone else in history.

As we continued along the AT, we came to an intersection. One direction led to an official AT camping area, the other direction led to the spring. This is the same spring named "Pilger Ruh" by Count Zinzendorf.

This section of the A.T. threads its way through Weiser State Forest, which is located in the ridge and valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Named for the frontier diplomat, Conrad Weiser, the forest covers almost 30,000 acres on 16 tracts throughout the region. These forests are managed as “working forests” and provide a suite of uses and values to Pennsylvania citizens, while maintaining the forest’s wild character.

While most of area we hiked through had a wild feel to it, we did encounter a large microwave and cell tower. Today's A.T. Thru Hikers can enjoy 5 bars of 4G for posting their trail journals.

No hike would be complete without stopping to chat with the fun guys.  Here, they decorate what is left of a grey birch tree trunk.  It wasn't clear why the trunk had been topped off.

Campsites along the AT are suppose to be 200 yards off trail. However, every once in a while, you find one right in the middle of the trail.

The Appalachian Trail was not made to be easy but to get one to the most scenic and wild areas. It is primarily a wilderness foot trail. Its route is continuous and generally extends along the crest and over the highest hills of the mountain system known as the Appalachians, passing through 14 eastern states from Katahdin in the central Maine wilderness to Springer Mountain in northern Georgia. The trail through this area is affectionately known as "Rocksylvania."  Below, Kathy demonstrates the rocks:

We picked this section of the AT because it promised us at least three viewpoints. Here, Dave records our views from the first overlook.

We didn't spend too much time at the second viewpoint because a sprinkle cloud was passing by.

Pennsylvania's 229 miles of the trail – or at least the northern two-thirds of them – are legendary among trail hikers for the wear and tear they exact on boots. That portion of the trail is widely known as "the place where boots go to die" and "Bootsylvania."

Bill Bryson's thoughts on Pennsylvania: "I never met a hiker with a good word to say about the trail in Pennsylvania...sea of rock...Lots of people leave Pennsylvania limping and bruised...reported to be the meanest rattlesnakes anywhere along the trail...the most unreliable water sources, particularly in high summer...the very worst maps ever produced for hikers anywhere." Bryson may have felt that way, but, for us, while there were rough patches, it wasn't all bad. We had several long stretches that were just like a Walk in the Woods.

As we approached the Showers Steps Overlook, we came upon a historical marker. Back in 1937 a corporation was formed by the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club known as the “Blue Mountain Wilderness Park Association.” That organization had the purpose to acquire and own land in order to preserve the forest, protect wildlife and protect the Appalachian Trail. In 1939, the club lost its first president, former Reading Mayor, William Shanaman. This monument was erected in his honor on Round Head at the top of the Showers Steps.

During our hike, we passed several small groups of hikers. We couldn't be sure they would observe social distancing, so we took it upon ourselves to step off trail and let them pass. As we approached the last overlook, a family was just finishing up their picnic. We let them have the view, while we ate our lunch at a nearby camp site.

Once the family left, we took our turn exploring the area. Just below the overlook is the top of the Showers Steps. Five hundred steps were built up to Round Head just off Route 501.  Lloyd C. Showers of Bethel had the vision of a side trail leading up to the Appalachian Trail. So, under his guidance and with labor he recruited, huge boulders were moved to form steps up a steep slope to the summit and to an outstanding view.

Here we are taking in the view at the top of Showers Steps.

After we exhausted that gorgeous view, it was time to return to the trailhead. On our hike back, we took our time and paid more attention to the little things, like this mourning cloak butterfly. These butterflies have a lifespan of 11 to 12 months, one of the longest lifespans for any butterfly.  The mourning cloaks tend to be found predominantly in cold, mountainous areas. Mourning cloak butterflies are not known to be significant pollinators, since their primary food source is sap of deciduous trees rather than flowering plants.

With all of our side trips, we hiked almost 7 miles. On our drive back to camp, we noticed this sign along the road.  Did you know the Appalachian Trail's protected corridor is just a swath of land averaging about 1,000 feet in width, but it encompasses more than 250,000 acres, making it one of the largest units of the National Park System in the eastern United States.

We hope to be able to explore more sections of the AT. However, it might be a few days. We need to give our feet a chance to recover from all that rock hopping! Stay safe.