Camp Michaux Walking Tour

Over the summer the Cumberland County Historical Society cleaned up and restored visible artifacts on the Camp Michaux property.  They created a walking tour of the facility, as well.  A pdf brochure is available from their web site.

The site is just off the Appalachian Trail.  Drive there by going east from Pine Grove Furnace State Park on Route 233.  Take a right onto Michaux Road.  Parking is available on Michaux Road and on Bunkerhill Road.  

While you are there you can circle hike on the AT toward Toms Run Shelters.  Take a left on blue-blazed Sunset Rock Trail to make your way back,

CAMP MICHAUX  SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Bunker Hill Farm
Pine Grove Furnace CCC Camp
Pine Grove Furnace POW Interrogation Camp
Church Camp Michaux
David L. Smith, Director
Camp Michaux Recognition and Development Project
Cumberland County Historical Society
2011

http://www.historicalsociety.com/uploads/michauxwalkingtour.pdf

New Section of the AT opened in Michaux Forest

New section from Michaux Road (south end)
N40 02.427 W77 20.501

 The PATC has opened a new section of the AT, which now bypasses 2 roads.  The new section is south of Pine Grove Furnace State Park and north of the new Mid-Point of the AT (near Toms Run Shelter).  The new section is approximately .7 miles.
Formerly the AT south  followed the dirt Bunker Hill Road till it T'd at the former CCC Camp on Michaux Road.  It then followed paved Michaux up the hill till the trail branched off the road to the left toward Toms Run.  The new section wends its way through the forest.

New section is in green (map is approximate)

Sunny Morning Hike

From Trees and Landscapes in Michaux Forest (primarily)

We were going to hike on the Appalachian Trail this morning, but none of the parking areas were plowed.  The AT was still snow covered and it looked like no one had been walking there, at least near Toms Run. So we went over to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  The AT does run through the park and we did walk on it, but its not quite the same thing.  Lots of people had been through so there was actually a groove cut through the snow about 6 inches deep.  We were walking north through the Park making sure we stayed in the 6 inch deep trail, when some folks with dogs came south toward us - unleashed of course.  One of the dogs came walking down the trail like a train on the tracks.  Typically dogs are all over the place,  but this guy stayed right in the grove and stopped dead when he got to me.  He looked up as if to say "You move, I'm not"  I laughed and stepped out of the groove.  I guess he didn't want to get any more snow on his paws than necessary.

It was sunny and 40, which is great weather for hiking.  Lots of other people were out snowshoeing, sledding, skiing and walking.  The sun was so bright against the snow that it was tough to get any good pictures.  I did get some nice reflections from Mountain Creek and from the Swamp Trail.