Date: 2016-07-10
From: Duncannon PA

To: Clarks Creek Campsite
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at the Doyle at around 7am. The crew that called the Doyle home last night were the dude, feather, yurgin, blossom, Mowgli, and Alastair. There were several other hikers who I had not met before and didn't get there trail names were also staying there. The Doyle was an experience with its very old building, furniture and deteriorating plaster that was falling from the ceiling. It had no AC, my room had no working light and one of the windows looked like it was going to fall out of the building. However the owners were super nice and they are just trying to make it. With a cost of 25 dollars much more could not be expected. I got up, showered and packed. I hung in the room to just before check out time of 10am. I went across the street to Goodies and had breakfast. The town of Duncannon was a let down for a trail town where the trail runs right down Main Street. I get the sense it's a poor community with not much going for it. I was going to take a zero today but opted against it as I had no idea what I would do all day. I got on trail at about 11 and headed north. The trail goes through the town and then crosses over the Juniata and the Susquehanna Rivers. It the darts into the woods and climbs steeply to 1300 feet from the valley floor of about 300 feet. Once at the top the infamous Pennsylvania rocks began. Now I have analyzed the rock situation. If you are from a region where there are no rocks on your trails and it's hard packed dirt than this would be the most horrific thing ever. If your shoes soles are in rough shape or thin than you will hate the rocks. For me the beginning part of the day I was like this is nothing and it's almost fun. By the end of the day when I was exhausted I was like I hate all rocks. So time of day and level of tiredness also makes a difference. The rocks overall were not too bad so far. I will say by the end of the day my feet were swollen and sore from the sharp rocks. The stretch between the top of the climb and the first shelter was all large boulders and bed rock. Lots of rock hops and scrambles. I stopped at the shelter and had a snack and Feather and Mayfly were there. I continued on and the trail was flat and rock free. It was actually a nice pleasant walk on top of the ridge. I crossed over PA 225 and came to a parking area where day hikers gave me a bunch of ice cold bottle water from a cooler in their trunk. It was the best trail magic as I was so thirsty. I stopped at table rock view and Mayfly and the dude were there. We chatted for a bit and I moved on. I stopped at the next shelter to sign the log book and I think Mayfly had passed me. I moved on and the rocks started to creep back in. This time they were much smaller and pointy. I started to fade on energy. Finally I began the descent down to PA 325 and water. It was a stretch of 10 miles with no water. I came to the creek and saw Mayfly on the other side in an area that looked like great camping. He had a fire going in the fire ring. I went around the creek and joined him and set up shop. I set up my tent, cooked dinner and watched the fire while mayfly tried fly fishing as there was trout in the creek. I crashed early at about 9. Feather rolled on at about 10pm and the dude is MIA. Last I saw him he was gonna take a nap at table rock. I hope he didn't fall asleep all night as he didn't have a lot of water.