I’m looking to hike the stretch of trail from the Delaware Water Gap north for about 20 miles. During my 2004 thru, I remember staying at the AMC Mohican Outdoor Center just off-trail, but don’t remember other camping opportunities in this area. If my bro and I will be looking to do 10 or fewer miles per day, anyone have any suggestions for camping in this area? Anything just past Sunfish Pond? Thanks!
Squish
I remember there was a shelter about four miles past Sunfish Pond, also a good camping spot .5 miles before Sunfish. it made for a relaxing day, sitting around the pond in the afternoon then walking back to the campsite when it got dark.
0101
Squish,
I did that section last year with my brother-in-law, who is also a bit slow by thru-hiker standards. You cannot camp in the first 7.9 miles out of DWG, since that’s in Worthington State Forest and the rangers will roust you out if you try it, except at the Backpacker #2 site just before Sunfish (but this is only 4.6 miles from DWG, so it’s a bit short of where you’ll want to be by the end of the first day.) Once you get past Kaiser Road you’re out of Worthington and camping is allowed. There are several good sites (but dry ones) just short of Catfish Firetower (about 11.5 to 12 miles north of DWG) along the edge of the ridge you’ll be hiking on by then. That would take you about 2 miles past the Mohican Outdoor Center (this is the “shelter” that 0101 mentions), which is also an option. You can even camp at the Firetower itself (12.7 miles out from DWG) which has great views in good weather, as do most of the campsites near it. There are also campsites near a stream just before Rattlesnake Mountain for your second night’s camp (about 10 miles north of the Firetower) or you can push on to Brinks Road shelter at about 12 miles. Be warned that Brinks Road is famous for it’s mosquitoes, so be prepared to tent there rather than simply stay in the shelter. I’m guessing your exit point will be the same as ours was, Culver’s Gap, which is only 3.6 miles past Brinks Road shelter.
It’s a good section with some great views and challenging (but not too challenging) trail. It’s actually a lot like the northern sections in PA, but with a better treadway. Take a look at my journal if you want more detailed info on this section (search for “Strategic” in the journals.)
Good luck and good hiking.
Strategic