Blue Mountain High: Winter Hike on the Kittatinny near Lehigh Gap

Winter can afford some beautiful views from the Ridge-top.  A recent 5.3 mile hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail from Little Gap (Blue Mountain Rd.) to Lehigh Gap brought breathtaking vistas north into Carbon County and south into Northampton County, interesting information about the Palmerton Zinc Pile Restoration efforts and of course.. a work-out.  Have you been up on the Ridge in this section?  Parking is available at Little Gap just south of the Blue Mountain Ski Area entrance and at Lehigh Gap on both sides of the river.  Philadelphia Trail Club volunteers maintain this section of the Appalachian Trail.  Check out some of the scenes below!

Trailhead at Little Gap, near Danielsville, PA

Marker for Boundary of State Game Lands along Appalachian Trail

"Resource Island" area along Appalachian Trail, part of Palmerton Zinc Pile Restoration efforts

Looking north over Palmerton Borough from the Kittatinny Ridge

A bird traveling the famous migratory fly-way

Approaching the descent into Lehigh Gap, looking west to Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge

"Trek across Blue Mountain tells wildlife story"

Source: Pottsville Mercury

A hike up and across the Blue Mountain landscape spanning Berks and Schuylkill  Counties reveals a woven web of wildlife, waterways, wooded slopes, old bridges, rail lines and stone walls.  Read this Pottsville Mercury account of a man and his dog that paints a picture of why his section of the Ridge and the Appalachian Trail is so spectacular.

Trek across Blue Mountain tells wildlife story - Pottsville Mercury

Fall Views of Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian Trail at Swatara Gap

The leaves are down and late Fall has settled in along the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania as it climbs, descends and meanders through the gaps and ridges of the Kittatinny Corridor.  Check out views from a recent trip to the Swatara Gap area of the A.T. in northern Lebanon County where the Trail emerges from St. Anthony's Wilderness/State Game Lands 211 and traverses beautiful open grasslands with views of the surrounding ridges as it heads towards Swatara State Park near Green Point Road.  

A little further north, the trail crosses the Waterville Bridge over Swatara Creek, passes under I-81 and finally climbs up onto the Kittatinny Ridge, or First Mountain.  Learn more about recent improvements at Swatara State Park including trail and parking area development and bridge construction: Swatara State Park construction nears end.

Waterville Bridge, Swatara State Park

Appalachian Trail just south of Green Point Rd.

Appalachian Trail approaching Pipefitters Field, view of Second Mountain

Pipefitters Field