Jimmy Legs and Little D
New member
On Saturday 5/22 Donna and I met up with Snow Miser (Bob) and Low Gear (John) to hike a 9 mile loop which would include Pulpit Rock, the Pinnacle and Hamburg Reservoir. We arrived at the trailhead located just outside the Pennsylvania town of Hamburg at 9:50 am where we saw about 30 cars and our partners for the day waiting for us.
Starting time was 10am sharp as we began our journey through a narrow open area with a stone road as the trail. At 1.6 miles we turned left onto the Valley Rim Trail; a more slender path heading northeast at a moderate grade. It was in the 60’s with a breeze above the trees so it made us a little warm as the steepness increased at about the 2.4 miles mark. The trail became more rocky as we gained elevation; stopping often to drink our homemade gatorade. At the 3 mile mark the trail turns sharply west almost 180 degrees and possibly the steepest section of the trail. We soon reach Pulpit Rock at 3.3 miles (elevation 1,582 feet) and although the skies were cloudy and hazy we still had terrific views of the Pennsylvania farmland.
We sat for a bit and ate our lunch. We had Lebanon bologna (which I thought appropriate since Lebanon, Pennsylvania is where it originated) while John and Bob had sandwiches they bought at Wawa (a local convenience store). The rocks were crowded but there was ample room for everyone.
After a bit we continued on the Valley Rim Trail, mostly on level terrain strewn with rocks. After encountering a Timber rattlesnake the week before we kept an eye on where we place our feet hoping to avoid stepping on one. It’s another 2.1 miles of easy hiking until we reached the Pinnacle. Just before reaching the overlook we came across what probably was the largest cairn we’ve ever seen.
Views from the 1,615 foot high Pinnacle were even more impressive than the Pulpit and offered more sitting areas for the huge crowds that decided to hike today. We enjoyed brownies as we watched turkey vultures soar on the thermals; staying about 45 minute admiring the panoramic views.
As we left we noticed a small memorial to someone’s greyhound. It said: Here lies a good dog; she was a runner, faster than rabbits. She was a good mountain dog who never was lost and often led the way she held fast to love and a protector of all living things.
At this point the trail became the Pinnacle Side Trail and led us through a fern lined road on level terrain.
We turned left, heading south onto a blue blazed trail which started to descend through a forest of rhododendrons, not quite ready to bloom.
We would continue 1.47 miles on this trail passing the Hamburg reservoir and ending up once again at the beginning of the Valley Rim Trail. In another 1.6 miles we eventually reach the parking lot and the end of our hike.
Our thanks to Snow Miser and Low Gear for a great day of hiking and good conversations; it seems like we have a lot in common.
After our goodbyes we stopped off at Cabela’s and then had a long 2 and half hour drive home, stopping at Andy Nelson’s barbeque for a carry out dinner.
Total miles hiked: 9 miles; total miles driven: 288.
Straight to slide show
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/swfpo...http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/12277207_6qXJt
Mike
Starting time was 10am sharp as we began our journey through a narrow open area with a stone road as the trail. At 1.6 miles we turned left onto the Valley Rim Trail; a more slender path heading northeast at a moderate grade. It was in the 60’s with a breeze above the trees so it made us a little warm as the steepness increased at about the 2.4 miles mark. The trail became more rocky as we gained elevation; stopping often to drink our homemade gatorade. At the 3 mile mark the trail turns sharply west almost 180 degrees and possibly the steepest section of the trail. We soon reach Pulpit Rock at 3.3 miles (elevation 1,582 feet) and although the skies were cloudy and hazy we still had terrific views of the Pennsylvania farmland.
We sat for a bit and ate our lunch. We had Lebanon bologna (which I thought appropriate since Lebanon, Pennsylvania is where it originated) while John and Bob had sandwiches they bought at Wawa (a local convenience store). The rocks were crowded but there was ample room for everyone.
After a bit we continued on the Valley Rim Trail, mostly on level terrain strewn with rocks. After encountering a Timber rattlesnake the week before we kept an eye on where we place our feet hoping to avoid stepping on one. It’s another 2.1 miles of easy hiking until we reached the Pinnacle. Just before reaching the overlook we came across what probably was the largest cairn we’ve ever seen.
Views from the 1,615 foot high Pinnacle were even more impressive than the Pulpit and offered more sitting areas for the huge crowds that decided to hike today. We enjoyed brownies as we watched turkey vultures soar on the thermals; staying about 45 minute admiring the panoramic views.
As we left we noticed a small memorial to someone’s greyhound. It said: Here lies a good dog; she was a runner, faster than rabbits. She was a good mountain dog who never was lost and often led the way she held fast to love and a protector of all living things.
At this point the trail became the Pinnacle Side Trail and led us through a fern lined road on level terrain.
We turned left, heading south onto a blue blazed trail which started to descend through a forest of rhododendrons, not quite ready to bloom.
We would continue 1.47 miles on this trail passing the Hamburg reservoir and ending up once again at the beginning of the Valley Rim Trail. In another 1.6 miles we eventually reach the parking lot and the end of our hike.
Our thanks to Snow Miser and Low Gear for a great day of hiking and good conversations; it seems like we have a lot in common.
After our goodbyes we stopped off at Cabela’s and then had a long 2 and half hour drive home, stopping at Andy Nelson’s barbeque for a carry out dinner.
Total miles hiked: 9 miles; total miles driven: 288.
Straight to slide show
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/swfpo...http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/12277207_6qXJt
Mike
