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| Hiking | 6.21 Miles |
707 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.21 Miles | 2 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.76 mph |
| 707 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | | Ventured in to the Pine Grove Furnace State Park and decided to hike to Pole Steeple after briefly visiting the AT trail museum. Parked near the Pine Grove Furnace country store, known in hiker lore for being the place to celebrate reaching the halfway point by eating a half gallon of ice cream. The museum itself is quite small and may not be too interesting unless one reads up on the history of the trail before the visit. After exiting I followed the sign next to the museum indicating where to pick up the trail, it first crossed a couple of parking lots for the state park. The first was the site of the pine grove furnace , rebuilt, that was established in 1764. Then crossed the parking lot, on a paved path , passing by Fuller Lake where there was quite a crowd enjoying the lake. Proceeded around the lake on to a shaded road that went along a flowing creek for about 1.2 miles, the road ended and a right turn was made. Following the white blazes the trail continued not as wide and began a steady ascent through the forest to the junction of Pole Steeple trail which itself originated at Laurel Lake. While pondering my whereabouts was passed by a couple of thru hikers I congratulated who expressed mixed feelings about being at the halfway point. Went along the blue blazed pole steeple trail about 1/3 mile and encountered the rocky summit and clearing providing a nice view of Michaux forest. One other solo hiker there and another couple arriving as I departed. Didn’t encounter any wildlife in the mid afternoon heat of the day. After the hike enjoyed some ice cream at the country store before departing. |
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