hey everyone… A friend and i wanna section hike over 2 days from the mohican center to culvers gap-18 miles. I’ve been to mohican but dont remember if you can leave a car there overnight…also was wondering if there are places at culver gap to leave the car overnihgt? how safe? how is terrain otherwise through this section? will be doing it around march 15th. Thanks so much A-train
A-Train
I’ve parked right on the shoulder of Camp Road (which is where the trail crosses the access road a couple of tenths of a mile from Mohican), and had no problem. However, I am not sure if that is actually “allowed” or if I was breaking some rule. As far as your car being safe, you are fairly close to a residential neighborhood at Camp Road so I imagine you need only fear bored teenagers as opposed to more devious types. If you are member of AMC, I would assume they would let you park somewhere at Mohican for a day or two if that makes you more comfortable.
The terrain is a lot like Northeast PA. Lots of rocks and ridgewalking with occassional descents/ascents into gaps. If you plan on breaking your 18 mile hike into two 9-mile days, you should have no trouble at all. It shouldn’t take much more than 4 or 5 hours to cover 9 miles on this terrain even if you “stop to smell the roses” quite a bit along the way.
I don’t know much about Culver Gap so I can’t help you there.
Ken G.
ive parked at culvers twice without any problems. there’s a large parking lot just off 206 right past the worthington bakery. the terrain is ridge walking with nice views. i stayed at the mohican center last labor day great place they had about 5 guys with guitars and the head caretaker on piano they jammed till the wee hours a great time.have a graet trip. oh yeah watch out for the snakes i stepped on the biggest black snake i ever saw and it scared the hell out of me at least is was’nt a rattler. jigsaw.
jigsaw
I’m sure they’ll let you park at the Center, provided you make arrangements with management beforehand, and that you know exactly where they want you to leave the vehicle. You can reach them at (908)362-5670. I can’t imagine you’ll have a problem, as I’m sure this has come up before, plus the Mohican staff are always very good, and very helpful folks.
BaltimoreJack
thanks for the info, that helps a ton…
the guy who runs mohican is great…ill give him a ring and make the arrangments…
Baltimore Jack-i met you on your 98 thru-hike on top of lafyette, you were with another thru. I hiked with you on and off to galhead hut. thanks for turning me on to the AT
-A-Train
A-Train
One more thing on Culver’s Gap: According to a guidebook I have, parking overnight is allowed, but you must register with the staff at Stokes State Forest before doing so. The guidebook is a few years old, but I assume this requirement is still in effect. I don’t have the phone number handy, but I quick call to Stokes should get you all the info you need.
Ken G.
If you define winter as the time between December 2001 and March 2002, then, yes you can definitely do this during winter since it barely snowed nor got particularly cold at all this year. lol.
Seriously, this area can be done in “real” winter weather as well. Kittatinny (sp?) Ridge where the trail is located here is quite a bit less than 2000 feet at all locations. Consequently, the weather conditions up there, while slightly colder and, perhaps, a bit snowier, are generally not all that different than you would find in New York City (which is probably not much more than an hour away). The one key difference will be the wind. The ridge is quite exposed and it is far and away the highest elevation in the vicinity, and depending on wind direction, may be the first major barrier an East or Northeast wind hits when it comes inland during a storm. As a result, a bad storm can be seem much, much worse up there even if the temperatures and snow/rain totals are similar to what falls in the valleys. In good or even moderately bad weather, you probably won’t even notice a difference.
As an example, I was up at Sunfish Pond (a few miles south of Mohican Outdoor Center) in late January, and I was comfortable (in fact a bit warm) in a fleece jacket and wind pants.
Ken G.
If Desparado is still working for Stokes State Park, he might make a good resource for a shuttle and someone to look after the car. Just a thought.
Mr. Boo
I don’t think he’s still with the Park, but I’m pretty sure he’s still in the area; dunno about his availability, but if he’s free, he can probably help you out, he’s a great guy. His E-Mal is trueblood@hotmail.com
Baltimore Jack
I hiked from the Water Gap to Culver’s Gap last weekend. Weather was not great but we had a good time. I’m sure you will, too!
Fritz