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| Source: ReadingEagle.com |
Duncannon, PA -- All across America, a vast array of hikes and outdoor
activities will be taking place this Saturday as the nation celebrates the
American Hiking Society's 20th annual National Trails Day. The theme for this
year's National Trails Day is "America's Largest Trailgating Party."
Perhaps one of the largest trail parties that will be held this day will be the one over in Duncannon, Perry County, as the borough residents join members of the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club, the Mountain Club of Maryland, long distance hikers and the hiking community at large, along with the members and staff of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as they all come together to celebrate the borough of Duncannon being designated as an Appalachian Trail Community by the Conservancy.
Being designated an Appalachian Trail Community is an initiative by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to get communities located near the Appalachian Trail involved in helping to protect the trail for future generations.
Located 12 miles north of Harrisburg on the western edge of the Susquehanna River, this tiny town of 1,334 people is well acquainted with Appalachian Trail hikers; more than a mile of the Appalachian Trail runs straight through the main streets of Duncannon.
The Appalachian Trail enters the south side of town where the trail descends off of Cove Mountain and into the Susquehanna water gap. Hawk Rock, a lookout high over the town, offers a view of Duncannon, the Susquehanna River and on the northern end of the town, a view of the Juniata River as it flows into the Susquehanna.
Hikers follow the standard 2-by-6-inch white-painted blazes of the Appalachian Trail off the mountain and across Sherman's Creek and the Little Juniata Creek. After walking under the underpass of Routes 11 and 15, hikers enter Duncannon on Market Street and reach the town square.
Double white-painted blazes on a corner phone pole direct the hiker to make a left turn onto Cumberland Street and then a right hand turn onto High Street. The hiker will follow High Street north for more than a mile until double blazes indicate a right turn and then a left.
The white blazes lead the hiker across the Route 849 Bridge over the Juniata River and immediately over the Clarks Ferry Bridge, which crosses the great Susquehanna River before leaving the gap and climbing Peter's Mountain on the eastern shore.
Rarely does a hiker enter the town of Duncannon and not take a break from the trail. In the main square there is a well known hiker stop, the Doyle Hotel, where hikers can purchase beverages not found on the Appalachian Trail. Hikers have access to a grocery store, a laundromat, restaurants and a post office.
The streets of Duncannon will be blocked off this Saturday for the festivities. Planned events include the following:
Hikes will be led up to Hawk Rock by the Susquehanna Trail Club and the Mountain Club of Maryland.
There will be a trail maintenance hike with the Mountain Club of Maryland.
The PA Game Commission will be leading a guided bird hike on Haldeman Island, which is usually closed to the public. Registration is required for the bird walk.
The Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club will be leading 5K and 10K walks.
Blue Mountain Outfitters will be holding trips on the Susquehanna River.
The Duncannon Fire Company will be having a chicken barbecue. There will be music, vendor tables and outdoor-related presentations. Speakers at the main ceremony will be from the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Trail Museum and a Perry County commissioner.
With a full day of activities, it looks like it's going to be one very big day for the little trail town of Duncannon.
Email Rita Floriani: weekend@readingeagle.com.
Perhaps one of the largest trail parties that will be held this day will be the one over in Duncannon, Perry County, as the borough residents join members of the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club, the Mountain Club of Maryland, long distance hikers and the hiking community at large, along with the members and staff of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as they all come together to celebrate the borough of Duncannon being designated as an Appalachian Trail Community by the Conservancy.
Being designated an Appalachian Trail Community is an initiative by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to get communities located near the Appalachian Trail involved in helping to protect the trail for future generations.
Located 12 miles north of Harrisburg on the western edge of the Susquehanna River, this tiny town of 1,334 people is well acquainted with Appalachian Trail hikers; more than a mile of the Appalachian Trail runs straight through the main streets of Duncannon.
The Appalachian Trail enters the south side of town where the trail descends off of Cove Mountain and into the Susquehanna water gap. Hawk Rock, a lookout high over the town, offers a view of Duncannon, the Susquehanna River and on the northern end of the town, a view of the Juniata River as it flows into the Susquehanna.
Hikers follow the standard 2-by-6-inch white-painted blazes of the Appalachian Trail off the mountain and across Sherman's Creek and the Little Juniata Creek. After walking under the underpass of Routes 11 and 15, hikers enter Duncannon on Market Street and reach the town square.
Double white-painted blazes on a corner phone pole direct the hiker to make a left turn onto Cumberland Street and then a right hand turn onto High Street. The hiker will follow High Street north for more than a mile until double blazes indicate a right turn and then a left.
The white blazes lead the hiker across the Route 849 Bridge over the Juniata River and immediately over the Clarks Ferry Bridge, which crosses the great Susquehanna River before leaving the gap and climbing Peter's Mountain on the eastern shore.
Rarely does a hiker enter the town of Duncannon and not take a break from the trail. In the main square there is a well known hiker stop, the Doyle Hotel, where hikers can purchase beverages not found on the Appalachian Trail. Hikers have access to a grocery store, a laundromat, restaurants and a post office.
The streets of Duncannon will be blocked off this Saturday for the festivities. Planned events include the following:
Hikes will be led up to Hawk Rock by the Susquehanna Trail Club and the Mountain Club of Maryland.
There will be a trail maintenance hike with the Mountain Club of Maryland.
The PA Game Commission will be leading a guided bird hike on Haldeman Island, which is usually closed to the public. Registration is required for the bird walk.
The Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club will be leading 5K and 10K walks.
Blue Mountain Outfitters will be holding trips on the Susquehanna River.
The Duncannon Fire Company will be having a chicken barbecue. There will be music, vendor tables and outdoor-related presentations. Speakers at the main ceremony will be from the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Appalachian Trail Museum and a Perry County commissioner.
With a full day of activities, it looks like it's going to be one very big day for the little trail town of Duncannon.
Email Rita Floriani: weekend@readingeagle.com.
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