Thursday, February 3, 2022

Hike #25; Lower Worthington State Forest

 Hike 25

On Mt Mohican

9/29/2k

 

At this time, I thought it about time to do another new section. I had now walked a

continuous section hike from my house to the Delaware Water Gap, which gave me a

whole world of diverse trails to explore and make parts of continueous long hikes.

This time, I came up with a hike of about 22.5 miles, which I called the Lower

Worthington Hike, using as many trails as possible.

Starting our hike at Dunnfield

Ascending viia the red dot Mt. Tammany Trail

Only Tea Biscuit, Conrad, and Ronald displayed interest in this one, and Conrad opted

out due to the forecast of rain.

So the three of us set out, first climbing from the Dunnfield Parking lot steeply to the Mt

Tammany, or Red Dot Trail which ascends Mt Tammany steeply. I had been hiking this

trail my entire life, and had long wanted to incorperate it in a long section. The trail had

recently been re routed around a steep section, but I continued to lead everyone over the

original alignment.

An overlook on Tammany Trail toward the Delaware River on Arrow Island

Making our way steeply up the former route of Tammany Trail (and more fun)

Ascending via Tammany Trail at the water gap

Cloudy view from the top of Mt. Tammany

When we reached the top view, 1549 above sea level, clouds floated below us, but the

view was spectacular; the clouds only served to give the view more character. After a rest

here we continued on the Blue Dot Trail to Mt Tammany Fire Road, now barely more

than a footpath, out to Upper Yards Creek Resevoir.

Resting on top of Mt. Tammany

Somewhat cloudy view into the Delaware Water Gap from Mt. Tammany

Taking a break near Kaiser Road

Along Mt. Tammany Fire Road

Bushwhacking a bit to avoid the sharp turns of the Kaiser Road Trail. I of course stayed on the trail.

When we reached the resevoir, we headed down the ridge on he access road, then out

Camp Road to the former George Washington Council Boy Scout Camp where we picked

up the Kaiser Road Trail we had followed with Moo Moo the previous month. On the way

up we passed an abandoned building, to what purpose it served I do not know.

Tea Biscuit, dying again

Refilling water at one of the Copper Mine Falls

Refilling water at Copper Mine Falls

When we reached the AT again, we continued north to Mohican Camp Road, and turned

onto the Coppermines Trail, which leads to a beautiful glen and abandoned Copper mines,

passing small waterfalls along the way.

Inside a Pahaquarry Copper Mine

In a Pahaquarry Copper Mine

Inside Pahaquarry Copper Mine

At the back of a Pahaquarry Copper Mine

Inside Pahaquarry Copper Mine

Soon, we reached the upper mine, and the three of us walked all the way to the rear of

the mine. After goofing off here, we made our way steeply up a connector trail with the

Kaiser Road Trail, and took it back to the AT.

Coming out of Pahaquarry Copper Mine

At the beginning of Kaiser Road Trail

Along Kaiser Trail

The Hiller Plaque on the AT, entering Worthington SF

Raccoon Ridge with a view of Wallpack Bend

On top of Mt. Mohican

Sunfish Pond

Again, we rested at Mt Mohican, and

continued to Sunfish Pond. Unfortunitely, it was too cold to swim. The wind was also

picking up making it more unbearable. We decided to walk the northwestern side of the

Pond, as I’d never done it closely before, and we had to fight through some thick low

lying shrubbery, adding to the pain.

Resting at Sunfish Pond

Dead tired at Sunfish Pond

From Sunfish Pond we began to follow Dunnfiled Creek Trail, which took us back to the

AT near the parking lot. Having ascended and descended the Kittatinny Ridge three times

in 22.5 miles, we decided we needed food. By this time, Spaghetti House Pizza had moved

to Rt 31 N and had changed it’s name to Dicola’s, and stopped operations on Sundays, so

the three of us ate at the Washington Diner.

pics

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