View from the Appalachian Trail near its southern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Mohican Outdoor Center Area Trails Home Page
Length: 1.4 mile
Time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail report covers the 1.4-mile section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) between its two intersections with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. I hiked this segment heading southwest, and this trail report is written from that perspective.
I arrived on the Appalachian Trail via the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, a flat-but-miserable trail due to excessive rocks and a narrow path that often requires bushwhacking through lots of vegetation. About a quarter mile prior to its northern intersection with the AT, the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail merges with and follows a dirt road that firefighters use to get to a nearby fire tower. The road segment climbs a steep hill and eventually merges with the AT. The AT north of the intersection is a traditional hiking trail, so those traveling south will be well aware of the merger with the fire road. From the intersection, the road continues up the hill for another .4 mile.
The Appalachian Trail merges with and follows a fire road starting at its northern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The AT continues up the road for a hundred yards and then inexplicably veers right into the forest (look for the double white blazes on a tree that stairstep to the right at the turn). I say “inexplicably” because a tenth of a mile later it comes back out onto the road. It just makes a small, C-shaped detour. I suppose you have to make the turn to say you hiked the entire AT, but it is littered with what I call extreme rocks, so be careful. Those who couldn’t care less about hiking every foot of the AT can just stick to the road.
Extreme rocky terrain on the Appalachian Trail when it veers from the fire road near its northern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
After a short detour, the Appalachian Trail reconnects with the fire road near its northern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Once back on the road, the AT continues uphill, reaching the peak of the mountain about .4 mile from its northern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail. This is not to say that the AT now becomes flat, but for the next mile until its southern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, any hills—and there are plenty—are negligible. The overall trajectory of the AT is now slightly downhill, and by the time it reaches the intersection it will have descended 100 feet in altitude, which isn’t much over a mile.
Appalachian Trail follows a fire road south of its northern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
In less than .2 mile from the crest of the hill is the Catfish Fire Tower, which is named for its proximity to Catfish Pond at the Mohican Outdoor Center a mile and half farther south. I didn’t see a gate keeping anyone from climbing to the top, but I was too old and tired to do so myself, so I just took a photo of it.
Catfish Fire Tower on the Appalachian Trail near the Mohican Outdoor Center in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The road ends at the fire tower, and it is a little confusing as to where the AT continues. Just walk right on past the tower and you’ll see it enter into the forest on the other side, this time as a traditional foot path. As on the section that veered from the road a little earlier, the AT is plagued by extreme rocks. These are sharp and pointy, and rarely do your feet touch the dirt. For those with bad ankles, this is not a welcome sight.
Rocky terrain on the Appalachian Trail south of the Catfish Fire Tower in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The AT now follows along a forested ridge at the top of the mountain. You’ll see some side trails cut by previous hikers that head over rough terrain to various clearings near the edge of the ridge where you can get a great view of the valley below. However, the AT passes enough such clearings along its natural route, so there is no need for unnecessary off-trail efforts just to get a view.
The Appalachian Trail follows a ridge south of the Catfish Fire Tower in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
View from the Appalachian Trail between the Catfish Fire Tower and its southern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The southern intersection of the Appalachian and Rattlesnake Swamp trails is marked with some sort of log sculpture. This is where I ended my hike on the AT, but if you want a fantastic view of the valley, continue a little farther south along a rock ledge. There is nothing to obscure the view from here.
Appalachian Trail just past its southern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Panoramic view from the Appalachian Trail just past its southern intersection with the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
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Last updated on February 6, 2024