This hike starts by walking out of the parking lot, crossing Pine Grove Road then the bridge over Rocky Mountain Creek.
Looking back at the parking lot from the bridge.
Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith Sop
Although the map shows a trail, there is no defined trail here. Just veer towards the playground ...
... then the pool ...
... along a gravel path ...
... and eventually there are signs. We wanted the Ramble Trail so we continued straight.
This is also where the AT joins in from the bridge on the right which we would be coming back to later.
For now it's the combined Ramble Trail/AT. The yellow blazes only denote that it is a trail for foot traffic only.
Following along East Branch Conacocheague Creek.
The AT leaves heading south on the bridge to the left. The Ramble Trail continues straight.
An interesting little bridge.
The Three Valley Trail starts to the left. That is the route most take for this hike, returning on the AT. But we would not be returning on the AT and I wanted to be sure to capture this entire segment so we continued on the Ramble Trail.
The Ramble Trail follows the Chambersburg Water Line Trail for a bit ...
... before leaving to the right.
Soon after the picnic area ...
... the Ramble Trail ends at the AT. We turned right on the bridge for a look, (straight ahead is where we were earlier) ...
... then went back northbound on the AT.
The AT passes parking lots.
Right after it crosses the Chambersburg Water Line ...
... the AT climbs on stone steps into the woods.
Here is where those taking the Three Valley Trail would meet up with the AT.
The AT turns right ...
... on an interesting woods road.
A Pine Warbler ...
... in a pine tree.
A gate in the middle of nowhere.
Rhododendron tunnels that should be in full bloom in July.
For now it's mountain laurel and it is pretty much done in this area with most of it turning brown now and just a few fully bloomed areas left.
Coming up on the swankiest AT shelter I have ever seen. There is a bear box ...
... hanging plants, a skylight, games, very clean and beautifully maintained.
Brodie made a new friend at the shelter.
Continuing on.
Here is where the Hosack Trail into Dark Hollow starts on the right but we were staying on the AT a while longer heading to the Dark Hollow overlook.
Downy Woodpecker
At the big boulders ...
... right on Ridge Road, which is still the AT for a short distance ...
... then right on Stillhouse Hollow Road leaving the AT. At the time of this hike this road was gated to traffic since it had obviously just been paved but it said nothing about foot traffic not allowed so we continued on. It was nice with no cars and just one person on a bike.
It's .4 miles to the Dark Hollow Overlook. We would be descending into Dark Hollow in a bit.
For now, a break in a nice shady spot at the overlook.
Heading back on Stillhouse Hollow Road.
Coming up on Ridge Road/AT where there is parking for the AT.
Left on Ridge Road then left into the woods.
Tufted Titmouse
At the bench ...
... left on the Hosack Run Trail.
The Hosack Run Trail switchbacks down.
Up on that ridge is the overlook where we were before.
The terrain changes the lower the trail goes.
Crossing Dark Hollow Run.
At the second crossing where there was more water ...
I just had to stick my feet in the water. It felt soooo good. Brodie is not convinced.
At the end of the Hosack Run Trail, right on Locust Gap Trail.
The Locust Gap Trail is a nice, easy woods road.
At the gates, where there is parking, straight ahead a short distance meets back up with the AT.
We turned left on Quarry Gap Road which is listed as "most difficult hiking" on the park map. That is certainly an error as this is as easy as it gets, gently downhill all the way.
The only traffic would be cars going to the parking we just passed since this road dead ends there.
Hearing rushing water and needing another break, we found a gap in the rhododendron where we could get to the bank of Hosack Run.
At the end of Quarry Gap Road, right into the park campground.
Left at the circle ...
... to the Chambersburg Water Line.
Left at the bridge ...
But wait. What is this? Brodie stuck his paws in the water all on his own?
The other side of the bridge is the end of the Thaddeus Stevens Trail but for us it would be the beginning.
A little pond ...
... with friendly fish.
Around the pond then across Pine Grove Road.
Thaddeus Stevens Trail on the other side of Pine Grove Road.
Across the bridge ...
... then straight to the parking lot.
Caledonia Furnace Monument - it was hard to get a picture because there were always people standing in front of it ...
... but finally an opening where I could zoom in to read the plaque.
Driving along, snoozing away when traffic suddenly came to a stop and we were diverted off of I-81 which had been closed due to an accident. I had taken this picture at 4:32 just as this accident was happening head of us. So long story short, got off of I-81 and was inching along in bumper-to-bumper traffic when my clutch started feeling funny. Pulled off on a side street just as the clutch went out completely with squealing and smoke pouring out of the hood. Three kind men stopped and pushed me into ...
... the Punjab Chaat House pizza place parking lot where I sat for almost 4 hours while on the phone with 5 different people at AAA trying to figure out what to do since I was 3 hours away from home.
8:30 PM the tow truck has finally arrived. Of course everything is closed this time on a Saturday night so no repairs until Monday.
No Brodie, we won't be sleeping in Punjab's parking lot. We got an Uber to the only car rental places open at Harrisburg International Airport.
I called Hertz from outside and told them I was going to have to bring my dog in even though there were signs on the door that said "NO DOGS". No way was I tying him outside at the airport and I had no car to put him in. The Uber driver had to leave. They granted permission.
Brodie inside the car rental area of Harrisburg International Airport. Shhhhh.
Our ride for the week. We made it back home at 1:30 AM after sitting in construction traffic on I-78 for over half an hour at midnight. Sigh. What an awful way to top off a really nice hike.
