Leaving Waterville Bridge, I followed the AT as it climbed steadily toward the Blue Mountain ridge, gaining about 800ft (244m) of elevation. The climb reminded me of Peter's Mountain, which I had recently done, where the trail ran straight along the ridgeline for some time. Once I reached the top, the walking became easier on the flat terrain. At Round Head, I passed the 500 Steps Lookout, a side trail known for its steep, rocky ascent. I had to laugh at myself as the song "I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more..." started playing in my head. I definitely have hundreds more miles to go.
At the lookout, I noted the monument dedicated to William F. Shanaman, the first president of the Blue Mountain Eagle Hiking Club. Founded in 1916, the club became essential in assisting the Appalachian Trail Conservancy when it needed help creating a 100mi (160km) section through Pennsylvania. By 1931, the club's volunteers had built shelters, monuments, and rest stops, and today, they continue to maintain about 64mi (103km) of the AT.
Eventually, I descended into the small resupply town of Port Clinton, where the promise of a hot meal was too good to pass up. After a hearty meal at the local pub, I made a beeline for the famed Port Clinton Peanut Shop. The aroma of freshly roasted nuts filled the air as I stepped inside, and I couldn't resist grabbing a mix to fuel my next stretch of hiking. Of course, I had to add a bit of candy, something sweet to indulge my taste buds, as I hit the trail again.
Crossing the Schuylkill River, I worked my way back onto the ridge, barely noticing the climb anymore after growing accustomed to the constant ups and downs of the AT. I passed the Pulpit Rock viewpoint and briefly stopped at The Pinnacle. At Knife's Edge Vista, the name felt fitting. This section was exceedingly rocky, with tricky footing and jagged slabs jutting upright like a knife's edge. Another descent led me across the Lehigh River, once a vital route for transporting coal. At Weathering Knob, I spotted an eastern newt in its bright orange juvenile stage, known as the red eft. Its vivid colour, dotted with red spots, warns predators that it's toxic if ingested. With delight, I watched as it carefully crawled through the leaves and out of sight.
Continuing along the trail, I reached Wolf Rocks, often nicknamed "Rocksylvania" for the abundance of rocky outcroppings in the area, and it truly lives up to its name. Not too far from the trail, perched on a large rock, I spotted what seemed to be a Black Vulture. Its distinctive features were unmistakable—white wingtips, a hooked beak, and long talons. It was a treat to see such a magnificent raptor up close and a rare opportunity to sit and observe quietly.
As I moved on, the trail led me toward the Delaware Water Gap, a pass where Interstate 80 crosses the Delaware River, forming the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border. Carved over millions of years, this water gap was also a key route for botanist John Bartram, who followed the river's course in search of American trees, evergreens, and shrubs. His discoveries introduced British naturalists to new species that had never been seen before, which were then planted in their English gardens.
Delaware marks the end of my Pennsylvania adventure as I move into New Jersey, the eighth state.
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