ABOUT THE PARK:
The BMECC Section of The Appalachian Trail - Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates to Bake Oven Knob Parking 40.744774, -75.738075
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Huge parking lot on right to access the AT northbound. There is also a parking lot on the right. |
TRAIL MAP:
PA Appalachian Trail Map Sec. 1-6: Delaware Water Gap to Swatara Gap - Keystone Trails Association
HIKE DISTANCE:
From Bake Oven Knob parking - 10.55 miles
From Ashfield Road parking - 4.25 miles
APPALACHIAN TRAIL SECTION HIKING:
TrailHeadFinder.com - AT section miles 1234.0 to 1239.3
PEAKBAGGING:
Bake Oven Knob - Peakery.com
THE HIKE:
The AT northbound starts in the corner of the parking lot. Because Bake Oven Knob is only a short distance from this lot, expect a lot of graffiti and litter along the way. |
There are several old county boundary markers along the way. |
Graffiti announces the arrival at Bake Oven Knob |
View to the east. |
View to the north - the hike will be following this ridge on the AT northbound. |
View to the east. |
View to the west with the sun rising from behind over the ridge. |
The AT continues north from Bake Oven Knob along the rocky ridge... |
... the over boulders with lots of rock hopping along the western side of the ridge. |
Blowdowns from Hurricane Sandy were minimal but I brought along some snippers to clear the way... |
... because Shawnee doesn't do blowdowns if small branches are blocking her way. |
Cross a power cut where they saved the jumbled mass of boulders special for the AT to cross over! |
After the power cut, about a mile stretch of easier trail. |
Enjoy it while you can because... |
... next up is the blue-blazed South Trail, if you dare. |
Looking back to the south along the ridge where the AT resides. |
The relentless sea of often wobbly rocks and boulders continues on... |
... and on ... |
But with rewards of great views. The views are better than at Bake Oven Knob and there is no graffiti or litter. |
Had to render a little first aid at the end but it looked worse than it was, just a scratch from the boulders. Be sure your first aid kit is stocked before heading out on this hike! |
The blue-blazed South Trail meets back up with the AT almost over the Lehigh Valley Tunnel at I-476 then southbound on the AT all the way back to the parking lot. |
HIKE SUMMARY:
[ 0.00] From the northeastern corner of the northern parking lot, head north on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail
[ 0.15] County marker on left and side trail on right that goes to campsite; keep straight
[ 0.40] Bake Oven Knob with views on both sides
[ 0.90] Bake Oven Knob shelter on right
[ 2.85] Blue Eagle Mountain Climbing Club sign on the left
[ 2.90] Woods road crosses over diagonally coming in from the right and leaving to the left at red game commission boundary sign
[ 3.05] Enter power cut
[ 3.15] Cross Ashfield Road at AT parking area and communications tower
[ 3.35] Kiosk on left
[ 4.25] Concrete SGL boundary marker
[ 4.35] Keep left at unmarked fork then veer right at next fork at blue South Trail sign
[ 5.40] Turn left on white-blazed AT when blue ends
[ 6.30] Keep straight when beginning of blue South Trail goes left
[ 6.40] Concrete SGL boundary marker
[ 7.30] Kiosk on right
[ 7.40] Cross Ashfield Road at AT parking area and communications tower
[ 7.50] Enter power cut
[ 7.65] Woods road crosses over diagonally
[ 7.70] Blue Eagle Mountain Climbing Club sign on right
[ 9.65] Bake Oven Knob shelter on left
[10.15] Bake Oven Knob
[10.40] County marker on right and side trail to campsite on left
[10.55] Back at parking lot