So…I’m going on a 50 mile hike the last week of April in Delaware Water Gap/Northern Jersey. It just occured to me, however, that this is Spring…when bears come out of their dens…with their new baby cubs…
I know the concentration of bears in that area is high. Will this be a safe time to hike? Should we plan our hike elsewhere?
Leki-Less
No, its fine, and Spring is a good time to be in this section. While I’ve seen a lot of bears around DWG, they tend to be more active in summer, you’ll probably be lucky to see one. Use the bear lockers at the shelters/campsites and clean up after yourself and you won’t have issues. Also, please don’t stealth camp at Sunfish Pond. This is a great section.
a-train
Thanks a-train. Two more questions:
(1) What’s the shelter situation like in DWG? Not many? Few and far between? You mention "please don’t stealth camp at Sunfish Pond. Why’s this? And, also, is camping otherwise allowed in the park? I guess this is already more than two, huh?
(2) How does Delaware Water Gap, PA to Unionville, NY compare to, say, Lehigh Gap, PA to …I dont’ know…maybe the Mohican Camp? Trying to decide which 50 mile section to hike.
Leki-Less
I liked the Deleware Water Gap to Unionville. NewJersy is a good state to hike. Sunfish pond, not too high (1800 ft at Highpoint) and that long deckwalk across the swamp.
Virginian
About the bears, it is safe to go hiking. I would suggest the trip from DWG north. Leave on a Friday, but stay at the church hostel on Thursday. The church has one of the best traditions on the trail. The parishioners have provided a meal for hikers on Thursday nights for many years. There is absolutely no arm twisting or lectures. Take part in the great fellowship at the Church of the Mountains. The local outfitters had an outdoor movie for free that night. There is a great little bakery for you in the morning. The hike will be just as good. You can tent out for free at the Mohican Outdoor Center. The MOC only had sodas and a few candy bars. The MOC is set up for people staying in cabins, not hikers. The MOC is operated by the AMC, Appalachian Mountain Club, the same organization that run the huts up in New England. This is their furthest south operation. You can go kyaking on their lake for a fee. I hiked this section in the pouring rain and still had a great time. Sunfish Pond out towards Culver Lake is great hiking.
Bilko
Thanks for the help. I’m thinking we’ll drive to DWG, PA and take the outfitters shuttle to Unionville, NY for $110. Then hike souththrough the park back to our car at DWG. I’m assuming the hike is just as nice going south.
Leki-Less
Leki-Less, I recently read the story on how you got your Trail Name. It was a very interesting story. However, I can’t remember where I read it. I do think you will have just as good a time hiking south, you’ll see more NOBOers that way.
Bilko
To answer your questions: I agree with the above. DWG to Unionville is a better section. There are plenty of shelters in this stretch. Which park are you refering to? You walk thru the Delaware Water Gap National Rec area for the first (or your last, going south) 5-6 miles. Within this stretch one can only legally camp at Backpacker Site no.2. Camping around Sunfish Pond is prohibited because the land is fragile and the rangers/trail club want to preserve the area and avoid bad encounters between bears and hiker’s food.
A-Train
Bilko: Haha…yeah, it wasn’t interesting when it happened. Maybe you read it on my trailjournal? Or someone elses? I hiked in '04. I had to tell the story to everyone I met. I’d introduce myself and they’d say…“But you HAVE Lekis.” One guy, who wasn’t hiking with poles, was particularly disappointed because he had been wanting to meet me thinking I was in his club until he FINALLY caught up to me (maybe in PA?) and saw what I was carrying.
We’re doing the hike the last week of April, so I’d be surprised if we met ANY northbounders that far north that early.
A-Train: Really?? We’re only in the park for 5 or 6 miles? That can’t be right, can it?
Also…another consideration is to start at Fox Gap and hike past DWG, PA to High Point or Unionville (or do the samt thing southward.) Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the last stretch of trail from Fox Gap to DWG, PA rather scenic? Does it overlook the river for a while?
Leki-Less