Hike #93
Hike 93
The beginning, in Culver's Gap
6/8/3
It was now time to do the next section hike in the Kittatinnies, and Skyler Jermyn joined
Tea Biscuit and I once again to scout the new section. This hike was entirely in Stokes
State Forest.
Along the AT, Culver's Gap
AT above Culver's Lake
We began walking on the Appalachian Trail south from the access parking lot on Skyline
Drive, just off West Shore Road and Rt 206. It took us through some nice level ground
sorrounded by a lot of Poison Ivy on the way to Rt 206.
When we reached Rt 206, we stopped in Worthington’s Bakery, a popular spot for AT
through hikers, and got some pastries. There was a cute girl working that Tea Biscuit was
pretty interested in. After eating, we ascended on the AT south from Culver’s Gap, to a
view over Culver’s Lake.
AT above Culver's Lake
Descending via Jacob's Ladder Trail
Red Eft along Woods Road Trail
Skyler loves Manatees at Kittatinny Lake
Marsh lands along Tibbs Trail, Stokes SF
Kittle Field, Stokes SF
The AT started along a woods road, but then became a narrow
footpath to the ridge. We walked the ridge to Indian Ladder Trail, where we had hiked to
the previous Summer, and descended Woods Road, now a trail. We walked Woods Road
north to Kittatinny Lake community. Along the way, Tea Biscuit and Skyler were talking
about Kurt Vonnegut books. We also found a truck with a bumber sticker that said “I
Love (a picture of a heart) Manitees (a funny picture of a Manitee). We thought that was
particularly off the wall.
We decided to follow the road along the south shore of Kittatinny Lake, and when we
reached near Rt 206, there was a community yard sale! We walked around for a while, and
I bought some Star Trek original series videos, and two suit jackets, one black with pin
stripes, and one completely red! Skyler was good enough to carry them in his backpack
for us. Skyler bought some comic books and I don’t remember what else, and Tea Biscuit
got a somewhat gay looking purple and yellow bowling shirt that said “David”. He
proudly put it on and said “Look! I’m David the bowler!”.
We walked along Rt 206 looking for an abandoned road to the north, but ended up
bushwacking to the Stokes State Park office. We stopped in and I got a Skylands
Magazine, and we headed into the park to a road to the Shotwell Camping area. We
walked the road to Tibbs Trail, which took us over the end of a beautiful swamp, then
ascended to Coursen Road I think it was. We followed the road south to Lead Mine Trail,
which did not lead us to a Lead Mine. It did, however, lead us to Lackner Trail, which we
followed north to Stony Lake. I don’t know why, but we did’nt go for a swim here, I
guess it was too cold or something. We did walk along the road to Kittle Field, where
there’s playgrounds, pincin benches, and a bathroom building. From here, we followed an
unmarked trail along Stony Brook passing a beautiful waterfall, which I jumped in, and
then came out in the Stony Lake parking area.
Stony Brook Falls, Stokes SF
Stony Brook Falls, Stokes SF
Ascending on Cartwright Trail, Stokes
Cartwright Trail view, Stokes
Along the AT in Stokes
We turned from here onto Swenson Trail,
which led us over rolling terrain through the woods. It took us onto Tinsley Trail, then
across through a lower area to the Spring Cabin. No one was there, and we continued on
Swenson Trail where it appeared to be a woods road at times, through a very wet area.
We made a right turn onto Cartwright Trail, which took us uphill steeply over sometimes
wet ground, passing some sort of ruins, on the way to part of Skyline Drive. It crossed the
road and ascended to the AT, passing a nice view of the Poconos, and further up the ridge
on the way. We then began following the AT south, soon reaching Sunrise Mountain.
View from Sunrise Mountain, Stokes
On Sunrise Mountain
Sunrise Mountain, Stokes
Sunrise Mountain, Stokes
Sunrise Mountain shelter, Stokes
Sunrise Mountain had a beautiful view. There was a great overlook of Sussex County
from a rock, and beyond there was a rain shelter, like a pavilion, on top of the Mountain
built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. There was also a US Geological
Survey marker I like to stand on.
Me on the USGS marker, Stokes
Along Tower Trail, Stokes
View from Tower Trail, Stokes
Normanook Tower, Culvers Gap NJ
In Normanook Tower, Stokes
We continued on the AT, descending on Stony Brook Trail which was very wet, and we
were walking in the water. We again ascended on Tower Trail back to the AT. There were
nice views on the AT, and on the way up. Skyler was very tired by this point. We soon
reached the Normanook Lookout tower, with views of Stony Lake, Kittatinny Lake,
Culver’s Gap and Lake, and 360 degree views of the ridge north and south, with Sussex
County to the east and the Poconos to the west. After climbing the tower, we followed the
AT, descending to the parking lot. We were famished, and stopped for pizza at a little
place just south of Culver’s Inlet.
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