To larn to the AT southbound, either receive got the blue-blazed trail direct across from the parking lot (we returned that way) or walk out the drive dorsum to Route 309, cross slightly to the left ...
... in addition to downwards the steps on the Appalachian Trail.
It's a footpath parallel to Route 309 until ...
... the AT turns left on a woods road.
For the showtime iv miles it is generally woods roads connected past times to a greater extent than narrow paths on occasion. Because the AT follows along county lines, at that topographic point volition live concrete county draw of piece of employment markers throughout.
Crossing Fort Franklin Road where at that topographic point is about other State Game Lands 217 parking area.
Nice partial wintertime views of the Pennsylvania countryside along the way.
Pileated Woodpecker
The Allentown Shelter - we'd live stopping hither for a intermission on the means dorsum because nosotros were going to take away it then.
Enjoy the woods roads simply a few steps later the shelter because ...
... the trail volition run rockier.
The showtime business office isn't besides bad since many of the rocks receive got been moved off of the trail to cast a border. (Nice idea!)
Ah, hither is the Pennsylvania AT nosotros know in addition to love. Or not.
The adjacent mile in addition to a one-half are generally similar this. But at that topographic point is supposed to live a actually squeamish persuasion at Tri-County Corner therefore it volition live worth it, right?
A brusque reprieve every therefore frequently but it doesn't last.
At the Allentown mileage sign ...
... the AT turns correct (a blueish trail goes left) on a smoothen section.
The double blueish blazes are for a side trail on the correct to Tri County Corner,
The missing business office of the sign indicates that this is the site of the really showtime blazing of the AT inward Pennsylvania past times the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club. The sometime AT guide I receive got also says "Trail to the left leads 400ft. to the transcend of a stone pile where at that topographic point is a marking denoting the intersection of Berks, Lehigh in addition to Schuylkill Counties. Excellent views."
This is the slow part.
This was non going to give amongst Brodie attached to me.
So he was tied to a tree similar a mutual dog. Sorry Brodie.
I scrambled to the transcend in addition to got pictures of the marker.
And, disappointingly, of the "excellent" view. OK, my guidebook is a 1998 edition therefore patently a lot has changed inward xx years.
Scrambling dorsum downwards to recall my domestic dog who had been waiting patiently.
Heading dorsum on blueish ...
... in addition to then retracing on the AT.
Once the edge of rocks starts, it's non much further until the insane rockiness ends.
Ahhhh, smoother soil at last.
And a halt at the Allentown Shelter for a break.
Back on our means to complete up.
Crossing dorsum over Fort Franklin Road
This must receive got been covered amongst snowfall early since I missed it.
Leaving the woods route to the correct ...
... where all of the garbage betwixt the trail in addition to Route 309 had also been covered amongst snowfall early inward the morning.
Back upward the steps ...
... to the best persuasion of the hike piece crossing Route 309 (quickly every bit at that topographic point is misfortunate visibility in addition to the speed confine is 55 mph).
This fourth dimension nosotros stayed on the AT in addition to took the blueish trail on the left dorsum to the parking lot.
