Date: September 2, 2011
Total Distance: 10.23 miles
Time to Completion: 4:57 (hr:min)
Elevation Gain: 955 feet
Configuration: Loop
Terrain: single and multi-track; dirt and gravel.
Difficulty: moderate with some rock scrambling;
We had just reached Pulpit Rock when we ended the first part of the article on our recent hike on the AT (see Hike #26 - Appalachian Trail: The Pinnacle and The Pulpit, Part 1). As we took a brief rest at the Pulpit Overlook, we met a very nice hiker at the Pulpit who (besides offering to take a picture of us) told us that the view from the Pinnacle was amazing! After taking in the view from the Pulpit overlook, we were prepared to be amazed again.
After climbing over rocks, appreciating the solitude of hiking through the forest, and standing at an elevation of almost 1600 feet, did not the last thing that you would expect to see after stumbling out from the Pulpit overlook is an area straight out of Lost:
Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society
The Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society has an observatory right outside of the Pulpit overlook. With its recently manicured lawns, and impressive buildings (including a nearby communication tower) you would be forgiven if you were immediately confused (as we were) by the change in scenery. Looking at the picture above, we continued down the gravel road past the two buildings and communication tower before we picked up the white-blazed trail again.
Hiking the Pinnacle - Cairn indicating the Pinnacle spur trailEventually, we reached the Pinnacle spur trail, indicated by a large hiker-made cairn. A cairn is a mound of stones erected, in this case, as a marker for a trail. However, they can also serve as a marker for a memorial or boundary. This cairn was very impressive to say the least, standing at least twenty-feet high.
Once past the cairn, we came to the Pinnacle. The Pinnacle overlook is approximately several hundred feet from the main trail. Several other hikers had already claimed their spots along the overlook, but there was still plenty of room for two more. Dozens of hawks were flying overhead as we took our backpacks off and settled in for a snack. The hiker we had met earlier was right - the views were amazing!
Sitting at the overlook, our binoculars in hand, we could see the Blue Mountains (Kittatinny Ridge) to the northeast, as well as the southeastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains.
Hiking to the PinnacleWhile at the Pinnacle, we explored the overlook, and found a blue mailbox that contains a living history of the visitors to the Pinnacle. A cannister whose lid had the logo for the Appalachian Trail Conference (now the Appalachian Trail Conservancy) rested inside the mailbox. Visitors to the overlook are encouraged to leave a message inside the mailbox indicating the date they came and any other information they'd like to leave behind. Unfortunately, we did not have a writing instrument with us, but were able to leave our calling card inside, showing that Hiking with Impunity had visited the area!
We spent about twenty minutes at the overlook before strapping our packs on, and heading back onto the trail. It was getting late, and we knew we had quite a distance ahead of us before getting back to the car.
AT LogbookAfter reaching the Pinnacle, the majority of the hike was along flat ground, although there were still several small areas of elevation gains along the way. We did make a short diversion to Gold Spring after passing the "helipad" (a small open meadow on your right as you hike along the trail). Depending upon your fitness level, how much daylight you have left, or what you are trying to accomplish on this hike, you can skip the diversion to the spring and take the blue-blaze trail on your left after hitting the helipad. While Gold Spring is pretty in its own right, if you're running short on time, you can see it another time and not feel like you missed a major highlight of the hike!
As we continued along the Appalachian trail, we came to a fork in the trail. Heading left, we followed the blue blazes once again, and continued our way back to the car (heading right takes you to Eckville). As we walked along the trail, we saw one last phemonenally sumptuous visual treat on our left: the Hamburg Reservoir (see photo gallery here).
The hike to the Pinnacle and the Pulpit is widely considered (by hikers and various guidebooks alike) to be one of the best day-hikes in Pennsylvania, and it was easy to see why. While it is a strenuous hike at times, there are several nice areas to stop along the way. We would recommend going to the Pinnacle when you have 6 to 8 hours to spare. Take your time and make sure to pack your camera! Pack a lunch and plan to spend at least a half hour at the Pinnacle overlook both to take in the sights and have a rest. Leave a note to other hikers in the mailbox (pictured above), and keep an eye out for our calling card!
If you've ever been to the Pinnacle, why not post a comment below and let us know what you thought. And, if you've been there since we were, let us know if our card is still in the mailbox.... If it's not, we might just have to get up there again soon to replace it!
Trails Guide:
1. Park in the lot on Reservoir Road near the Hamburg Reservoir.
2. Pass the yellow gate and hike along the gravel road until you reach the Appalachian Trail sign, pointing North and South. Turn right and follow the Appalachian trail to the Pulpit overlook. The AT is indicated with a white blaze.
3. You will reach Pulpit Rock shortly after an extensive elevation gain and rock scramble. Make sure you stop to take in the view.
4. Leave Pulpit Rock and reach the observatories. Continue along the road, passing the communications tower on your left before finding the white blaze trail and continuing on your way to the Pinnacle.
5. Take the short blue-blaze Pinnacle spur trail (marked with a large cairn) to the Pinnacle. Stop for a snack. Make sure you have your binoculars and camera!
6. After leaving the Pinnacle, continue along the AT. Once you reach the "helipad", consider turning left onto the blue-blaze trail to cut a mile out of this hike and take yourself back to the car. Otherwise, continue along the AT, and make a left when you reach the sign indicating Eckville to the right.
7. You will notice blue and white blazes along this portion of the trail before eventually seeing the Hamburg Reservoir on your left. Pass the reservoir, and hook back up with the entrance near the AT sign from #2 above, before reaching your car.
About the Author”Hiking” Mike Magro is the primary contributor and editor of Hiking with Impunity. Always on the look-out for a good hike, Mike is hoping to get through the rest of the year having minimal to no injuries while on the trail.
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