On Wednesday, July 6, 11 MCM members had a nice hot and sticky hike up in PA’s Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The day was clear, with a few white clouds moving in the afternoon. We started near the huge Iron Furnace at the AT overnight parking lot. We hiked north on the AT which was flat and paved for about half a mile before it turned up a nice long hill.
We took a side trip to Pole Steeple and had wonderful views of Michaux State Forest. We continued north until lunch, after which we turned around and came back.
Deciding we didn’t want to hike back to the cars for our swimsuits, we swam in Fuller Lake in our hiking clothes. It felt great after a hot, sweaty hike. After we returned to the cars and changed clothes we had ice cream at the Pine Grove Furnace General Store – the same one that AT through hikers try to complete the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge.
We passed several AT through and section hikers during the day.
Though the mileage was less than we usually do, all agreed it was a nice summer hike, especially with the swim afterwards.
Submitted by Patty Williams