AT Hike! The Pinnacle, Pulpit Rock, and Blue Rocks Rock Scramble! Long Version
- March 16 · 10:00 AM
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The Pinnacle, Pulpit Rock, Blue Rocks Boulder Field, with Rock Scramble!
A Strenuous 15 Mile Appalachian Trail Section Hike: Port Clinton to Pine Swamp Road
(Rock Scramble)
Somewhere on the steep 900-foot climb out of Port Clinton up the rocky face of Blue Mountain, hikers can be excused for idly wondering if the turkey vultures floating overhead on outstretched wings are there solely for the updrafts swirling off the mountain. Port Clinton is know as the "Buzzard Capital of the Northeast," and the favorable flying winds all it to come by the title honestly. But the carrion-eating birds seem to sense that the hump up the mountain ridge is a tough survival test for hikers and a rigorous way to begin this trek." © Copyright Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States Published by Stackpole Books. All Rights Reserved
Blue Rocks Boulder Field (Rock Scramble) This glacial deposit makes for some great scenery, and a fantastic rock scramble.
Click Here to see pictures of a past trip on this trail!
Trail Information
Natural history features: Pulpit Rock; Blue Rocks; The Pinnacle.
Social history feature: Windsor Furnace.
Other features: Hamburg Reservoir; Astronomical Park of the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Port Clinton
Length: 15.1 total miles (We also offer a shorter, 8 mile version of this hike on another day if this is too long for you)
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Trail Type: Point-to-point with car shuttles to avoid an out and back hike. This way there is no backtracking!
Skill Level: Strenuous
Duration: 9 hours
Trailhead Elevation: 400 feet
Top Elevation: 1,635 feet
Local Contacts: Appalachian Mountain Club, [masked]
Local Maps: KTA PA Section 4
Topo Map: Appalachian Trail: Port Clinton to Pine Swamp Road Topographic
Guide Gook: Exploring the AT: Hikes in the Mid Atlantic States
Note to Hike Leaders:Please Use KTA PA Section 4 Book "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States Guide Book." Hike 18. Also on Trails.com and Everytrail.com in our repository. Contact Kellie if you need the book or map.
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.
Gear Information
Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
Carpool Information
If you can drive or want to carpool from any area, please post your location and needs in the comment section below. Click here for suggested carpool locations [broken link] complete with directions. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!
Directions to the Trailhead
Click here for directions to where we meet for this hike. If you have any questions regarding directions, please contact the hike leader at the number provided below.
Hike is at 10:00 a.m.
Fido is Welcome on this Hike!
Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back which helps ensure that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then please find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
Steve: [masked]
Bill P: [masked]
Sandy: [masked]
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irina rickard
Even weather did not give us any breaks, I love the snowing, but the fog could go away, lol, I had great time ! Beside the point the trail was very nice, to hike with your buddies and add new friends , that is priceless. Thanks to everyone for good time!
2 · March 18
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Sarita K
I enjoyed the hike today because I got to hike with my buddies and made new friends as well! I didn't like the traffic accident at the end that delayed us from getting to our cars. I really feel bad for Liz and her daughter having to spend so much additional time to ensure Sandy and I made it to our cars okay. A big thanks goes out to you two! Other than that, Steve and Sandy already know they are top-rated. :) THANKS!!!
2 · March 17
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Liz Jordan
Amazing hike ... Sandy and Steve were awesome as usual! That was the most beautiful snow we've had all season. Couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to spend a Saturday with.
2 · March 17
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Kellie Carlisle
Thanks Steve, Sandy, and Bill for leading this hike! Hope it was a good one.
1 · March 16
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Sandy Balliet
this is a great hike a winter wonderland in the unexpected 4 inches of snow. Wish mother nature would have been a bit nicer about the views but i guess you cant have everything.
1 · March 17
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Steve G.
Thanks everybody for coming out despite the weather, which was not as bad as feared (lots of snow, no rain). Sorry about the technical difficulty finding the Blue Rocks, double sorry missing the Pinnacle the first time (how the heck did we miss that?!?), triple sorry for the cruddy views which would be totally awesome without the misty, gloopy, fog, and quadruple sorry for the traffic mess on PA-61 which I'm sure made everyone's ride home a little less than pleasant.
I still had a good time, and I surely hope you did, too. Even in the worst of conditions, what makes these hikes fun is the chance to hang out with you all. Thanks for spending most of your Saturday with me! You have no idea how much I appreciate it!
ps. Boo to the no-shows. I'm like Santy Claus, I make a list and check it twice, and now you are on the naughty side. And that goes double for you, Bill.
1 · March 17
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Bill Peters
Steve
I missed the Park n Ride exit. Will meet you guys the Pt Clinton Pine Swamp Rd meeting point
March 16
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Frank
I am 99% sure I am attending but won't know for sure until Friday morning. Live in Bethesda and offering to drive anyone from DC area who needs a ride? Reach out to me directly...I have an SUV and can take at least 4 - 5 or more...
Frank
March 13
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Brian B
I really don't have the right gear for this hike. Wet and cold doesn't seem like a good combination to me.
March 16
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Sandy Balliet
Monica we are meeting at the park and ride in Timonium address is 2335 Greenspring Drive timonium MD leavig at 7:15a if you want to join looks like I have a spot in my car
1 · March 15
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Steve G.
A couple of special requests, due to the fact this is a point-to-point, requiring we shuttle folks.
1. Even though there is no wait list, please keep your rsvp current. Please don't make us wait until the last minute to start the shuttles for you if you are not coming.
2. Please try to arrive a little early if at all possible.
Both of these are so we can get the cars moved as fast as possible, so we can do what we came to do, which is have a fantastic hike!
1 · March 15
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Louise
We're new to the group. What time are we supposed to meet at the end point if the hike starts at 1000?
March 15
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Selma Halman
Bill, I will let you know by Friday noon. If they cannot fix my car then, I recommend you take a ride with Steve. Other than that, meeting at 6:30 am is not a problem. Have a great day!
March 14
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Selma Halman
Hi Bill, I have to leave my car at service tomorrow; and I am so sorry that I will not be to drive to this hike. Hoping we can ride next time together. You all have a wonderful hike.
March 15
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Sandy Balliet
Any one want to carpool for the Timonium park and ride, off of I83 and timonium Rd. will have room for 3
1 · March 12
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Ali
Sandy - unfortunately I will not be able to make this hike, thank you very much for the offer to drive.
March 15
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Rosalbina Gomez
Hi Steve, I'd like to carpool from I-70...Do you steel have room in your car? thanks.
March 12
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Sarah Tascone
Just realized it was 9 hours... gotta work up to that one. I'll start out with the Catoctin Hike. Hope to meet you guys at a later hike.
March 13
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Danielle
Ha ha! I bring my beagle Lance on most hikes - so that was the 'we'. Hopefully we will see u on another hike you lead soon!
March 13
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Steve G.
I'll repeat what I said earlier. It is far, but well worth it.
I plan on carpoling (and am willing to drive) from somewheres about the Baltimore metro area. Hey guess what, on this one, you DC folks have the option of swinging by my neck of the woods instead of the reverse! Yay, I get a much needed extra hours beauty sleep (you'll appreciate that, trust me)!
Further details, like time and an exact place, will be posted the Monday before the hike, at the latest.
1 · March 4
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Steve G.
Ali, I'll be at the I-70@Security Blvd Park and Ride (there's a map in a post below) at 7:15am. See you there!
March 11
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Rosalbina Gomez
Hi,
I haven't sign up yet and I'd like to know if anybody is going from Ellicott city or Catonsville area to carpool with....thanks.March 10
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Bill Peters
I am looking for a ride from VA or MD suburbs. It's a long drive, listed as 3 hr 9 minutes from Alexandria on Google maps.
March 4
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Steve G.
Hey everybody, if you haven't looked at the directions to the trailhead yet, it would be a good idea for you to do so now.
I don't want to scare anyone out of doing this one (y'all know, I don't do that), but I do want to make sure you all are fully aware of just how far out this one is, especially for you VA folks.
Do note, however, I think this one's worth the drive. The view from the Pinnacle is so nice, even the locals are willing to walk a couple miles to it.
1 · February 26
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) at 7:15am. I'm expecting Tom, and if anyone else is interested (my car fits 4) let me know so I don't take off without you. See you then!17 attended
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Mike S
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Sarita K
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes! 03/19/2013
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Louise +1
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Liz Jordan +1
Your organizer's refund policy for AT Hike! The Pinnacle, Pulpit Rock, and Blue Rocks Rock Scramble! Long Version
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: Refunds provided ONLY if requested PRIOR to 48 hours before hike time!
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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