When we started the 52 Hike Challenge at the beginning of this year, it almost didn’t even seem possible to complete. Hiking once a week, or twice every weekend off? It just wasn’t going to happen. Half the year here is freezing and snow, we do only have every other weekend off, and there were plenty of other things we wanted to accomplish in the year!
I’m so glad we decided to go for it.
We stepped out on the trail for Hike 1 on January 28th, and we forced a few really cold walks very unprepared so we didn’t fall behind! Throughout the year we learned and grew exponentially, and this really became a way of life, no matter what time of year.
Hike 52 had to be something special, and no better way to complete the challenge than hiking on the Appalachian Trail- a place we’ll someday call home for 2,000 miles and god knows how many days.
Those white blazes always give me chills.
Quick stop at the PA/NJ border to walk across the bridge we’ve seen in so many AT photos:
Then back to the Mohican Outdoor Center, where we’d hiked southbound before and now took the trail north: which we’d avoided last time because it went straight uphill, and took this time because it was new and may or may not have a fire tower somewhere up ahead.
It had been pouring rain when we hit the road, and for much of our drive, but the skies were clear and sunny as we set foot on the trail, and the fall colors were in bright display.
Vista after vista kept our pace slow! Breathtaking views. Our goal for the day was not distance though, but time, and we took all of it we wanted taking everything in.
Rocksylvania-adjacent:
No place I’d rather be.
Nearly stepped on this little guy on the trail! Real sluggish when we picked him up to move him but he perked right up after a moment and burrowed into the safety of the leaves off trail where we put him. Adorable.
There was indeed a fire tower: Catfish Tower, and the views from up top were just breathtaking!
52 Hike Challenge complete!!
Have to include: On the drive home we passed a paddock, and of course strained to catch a glimpse of what was inside. We were met with the view of a giant fluffy white butt, attached to this beautiful creature:
wanderingcranes 
Congratulations! As someone who retired just two years ago, I know how incredibly difficult it is to get out regularly when you work full time, so whatever you can do, I’m impressed. Hiking a section of the AT was great idea for winding the year up, and I like that you took photos on that bridge, too. But oh, the newt or salamander – whatever he is – what an incredible creature. I can see how those spots, which seem comically obvious, could be excellent camo on the forest floor, with all its spots of light and dark. Very cool. Here’s to many more adventures, and thank you for the follow – I hope you guys get up to the Pacific northwest some day, I’m sure you’d love it.
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Hi there
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Fabulous challenge and congratulations! And that salamander in your hand… how cool was that!
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Glad to find that 52 week hiking challenge is so well accepted not only across the states but world wide. Interestingly more and more people/hiker are joining in to reap the benefits related to health, peace, love for mother nature , family hiking and bonding. This year me and my family are part of this challenge in state of Washington. This inspires me to go ahead and complete the challenge on time. Thank you for sharing this. Do check my blog post on
https://travelandhikewithpcos.com/2019/05/15/hiking-the-mailbox-peak-seattle-wa/
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Congratulations on hiking part of the AT and not letting anything discourage you.
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My family moved from Newton, NJ to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1979, but I have fond memories of the Delaware Water Gap area and also where I went to college – Lock Haven State. Go Eagles – heh heh. My first year out of school I worked for Kodak in Rochester and lived in Fairport – right on the Erie Canal.
I’m a software developer – so the Bay Area has been super great for my career – but every Autumn I think about NJ, NY and PA.
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