Schuylkill County is fortunate to host quite a number of walking trails and paths with the granddaddy of them all being the internationally-acclaimed Appalachian Trail. For the most part, the AT serves as the southern boundary of our county.
According to AARP Magazine, March 1925 is considered the official birth of the Appalachian Trail, with the founding of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Keep in mind that the AT is the longest walking-only footpath in the world!
Numerous access points make it possible for people to either enjoy an afternoon walk or begin your adventure on just a segment. My personal favorite is to connect with the trail on top of the Blue Mountain and Route 183 above Summit Station. Another is Route 501, located south of Pine Grove.
Both points mentioned feature something historic. At 501, you can venture close to Pilgur Ruh. In fact, there is a state historical marker located there and the inscription reads: “Pilgrim’s Rest” was the name given to the spring on the Tulpehocken Path by County Zinzendorf, the Moravian missionary, on his journey to the Indian towns of Shamokin and Wyoming in 1742.”
That spring is still there and a monument is on-site to denote it. It is located just a few minutes from 501.
At the 183 access point, you travel south on the AT to note huge bollards or blocks on your left that are in the woods. These are what held the former high cable TV tower in place and is a vestige of the early days of cable TV which was founded right here in our county.
Of special note, more than one person told me that Mohawk Indians erected the tower here as locals were wary of assembling something that high. Mohawks have no fear of heights and also helped to construct a number of NYC’s skyscrapers!
Other spots to connect with the trail include Port Clinton and Route 61, the road to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary above Drehersville, and Route 309 that all stand out as convenient spots to park your vehicle to walk the path.
You’ll enjoy Bear’s Rocks or Baer’s Rocks depending on who you talk to as you travel north from 309. This rock formation is good to hike during cooler months as warmer months find the site with an ample amount of rattlesnakes. Once on top of these rocks, you’ll receive a commanding 360-degree view of miles upon miles of Schuylkill, Lehigh and Carbon counties.
Another good spot to visit a bit further on the AT is Bake Oven Knob. This vista features the Lehigh Valley and is a good hawk watching spot during migration. Some other facts about the AT from the AARP Magazine make mention of the first through-hiker of the roughly 2,200-mile trail. His name was Earl Shaffer and he accomplished this feat in 1948, The first woman to do this was “Peace Pilgrim” Mildred Norman Ryder who finished the trail in 1952.
A record was set just recently in 2021. AARP reported that the oldest person to complete the trail is veteran through-hiker M.J. Eberhart, with the trail name of Nimblewill Nomad” who did it at age 83. So, there is still time for yours truly!
Some other trail factoids are:
- Over 3 million visitors walk some portion of the trail each year.
- The trail traverses several states from Georgia to Maine. PA is renowned as the state where “boots come to die” given the rocky nature of a lot of the trail. • Thousands of volunteers contribute about 240,000 hours to the AT each year. Locally, the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club and Allentown Hiking Club work hard to insure a good experience.
- The AT is a unit of the National Park Service and passes through a number of national parks including the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks.
You can find more information on appalachiantrail.org Take some time this year to help celebrate this valuable asset to our community and our economy, too!
About the Author: “Porcupine Pat” McKinney is a part-time environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District and provides programming for people of all ages with a special emphasis on schools, nature center development and public programming.
“Porcupine Pat” is originally from Marion, Ohio and holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree with Distinction in Natural Resources with an emphasis on Environmental Interpretation from The Ohio State University.
He is a recipient of the prestigious Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association in 2005, the 2007 Schuylkill Pride Award, the 2010 Schuylkill Outdoors Personality of the Year and a recipient of the 2013 PA Association of Environmental Educators “Outstanding Environmental Educator Award.”
Photo: Canva
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