In the world of long-distance hiking, few states are as infamous as Pennsylvania. Its final stretch, a grueling 15-mile segment from Wind Gap to Delaware Water Gap, has earned a reputation as a true test of endurance. But is this reputation deserved? I embarked on this final leg of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with a sense of trepidation, and what I encountered was a harsh lesson in the state's rocky nature.
The First Ring of Hell
The trail began with a loud and stressful walk along the highway, followed by a steep climb up a staircase of rocks. I had faced similar challenges before, but the next section was a whole new level of hell. The rocks were jagged, abundant, and perfectly sized to roll your ankle with every step. I hated these rocks with the core of my being, and they never seemed to stop for at least 5 miles straight. It was as if the trail had been designed to punish me.
Deviating From Trail
When I reached the Wolf Rock section, I was so over the prospect of walking on more rocks that I took a blue blaze to bypass the section and walked abandoned forest roads all the way to the next shelter. The trail had finally gotten so bad that I willingly took a blue blaze. Still walking all the way to Maine, but to remain a red-liner through that segment is superhuman.
Delaware Water Gap
To my overwhelming relief, the remainder of the trail after the shelter seemed to follow an old access road all the way into Delaware Water Gap. I could have cried profusely and kissed the hands of whoever made the decision to finally grant us some mercy. Delaware Water Gap caught me by surprise in the sense that it was undeniably quaint. I met back up with Jessie who had already been hanging around town all day handling our resupply. We decided to stay at a hostel a local church put on. Rather than stay in the bunk room, which smelled of the feet of hundreds of hikers, we elected to pitch our tent on the gazebo. Frankly, I think it was the best spot in the place by far.
Power Outage Day
It was a very slow morning to get up, but the motivation of coffee and food got us moving. We elected to go to a coffee and ice cream parlor just down the street. It was hosted in a fabulous historical building with a constant stream of jazz classics playing in the background. We had a wonderful morning chatting with the staff and asking about the town. Just as we were about to pay our check, we saw a flash of light. BOOM. Lightning had struck not too far away. The power was out instantaneously. We couldn’t believe that upon finally reaching a town and deciding to zero, a power outage would prevent us from doing our chores and eating all day.
A Lesson in Perseverance
Despite the challenges, I learned a valuable lesson on this final stretch of the A.T. in Pennsylvania. The state's reputation for being a rocky pit of hell is well-deserved, but it also serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination required to complete such a journey. The final 15 miles were a true test of my endurance, but they also taught me the importance of perseverance and the rewards that come from pushing through the toughest of times.
In my opinion, the final stretch of Pennsylvania's A.T. is a must-do for any serious hiker. It's a challenging and rewarding experience that will test your limits and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the trail. So, if you're planning a thru-hike, make sure to include this segment in your itinerary. Just be prepared for a rocky ride!
