Michener Cabin

Michener Cabin (Summer 2007)

Michener Cabin is located just off the Appalachian Trail on Big Flat.  We often walk by it when we loop hike from the parking area just off Ridge Road where the AT crosses Dead Womans Hollow Road.  The AT dips down to the cabin on an old road bordered by numerous pines.  At the cabin take a right (southwest) on Dead Womans Hollow Trail which first crosses a spring and then winds back to Dead Womans Hollow Road.  Go right (north) on Dead Womans Hollow Road to get back to your car.  We took this walk the day after Thanksgiving 2011.  It was a beautifully clear fall day.  Since it had just rained the spring was overflowing.

Pine on AT near Michener (T-giving 2011)

If you take a left (southeast) at the cabin you can take Blueberry Trail to an overlook and then a steep downhill to Tumbling Run parking on 233.  [This is not a loop hike.]  A number of years ago we flushed a mother turkey and her chicks on a spring hike on the Blueberry Trail

Michener cabin is maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and can be rented from them.  [http://www.patc.net]  It is listed as primitive - no running water or electricity, outhouse, spring water, and a picnic table. Parking is 1 mile away.

Spring near Michener (T-giving 2011)

Caledonia State Park

Ramble Trail bridge over the Conococheague

Caledonia State Park has numerous activities which might interest you. It boasts a number of short easy trails, including the Ramble Trail.  The Appalachian Trail runs through the middle of the park.  Numerous picnic table, grills, and shelters are available.  The park is the site of a former iron furnace as well as the Thaddeus Stevens Blacksmith shop.  A large camping area, a swimming pool, and a new visitors center provide added opportunities.   The Conococheague Creek runs through the park.  For more information see
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/caledonia/

Conococheague looking toward the pool

I had a good walk today on the Ramble Trail.  For November it was warm and sunny.  A number of people were strolling around, including many with their pooches.  If it had been a summer day, though, it would have been way too crowded for me.

Conococheague near the pool

Toms Run in the Fall

I haven't been able to hike since last July due to some nasty surgery. Today was the first day that I have been able to do any hiking since then. I chose to circle hike from Camp Michaux to Toms Run Shelters on the Sunset Rocks Trail and back via the AT.

I had a lovely walk as usual. The fall leaves are slightly past their prime. However when the leaves fall into Toms Run they are always beautiful.  I keep trying to take the perfect picture of Toms Run.  This one makes me feel very good.

My lovely wife and best friend Carolyn was with me.  It was good to be on the trail again.   Camp Michaux has become a tourist attraction since it has been restored a bit by the Cumberland County Historical Society.  There were many more folks in the area than typical.

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)

Kid's Book - A Hike on the Appalachian Trail

My wife and I were busy this summer working on this children's book.  It is based on the many hikes my wife took her third graders from Luhrs Elementary on.

A Hike On the Appalachian Trail: Big Flat to Birch Run

by Carolyn Cook and Douglas Cook; Illustrated by Beau Bowersox
Jenna and Jay have been learning about the Appalachian Trail in third grade for weeks. Their teacher, Mrs. Cook, has been telling them about the animals, insects, and plants which depend on the habitat near the AT. The class has learned about caring for the environment and the principles of Leave No Trace.

As the book opens, Jay and Jenna are excited because today they will be taking a field trip to hike several miles on the Appalachian Trail. They hike to the Birch Run Shelter to eat lunch and rest, learning about the trail habitat along the way. After lunch they participate in a number of learning activities about the environment.

This book is unique in that it tells the story of a field trip on the Appalachian Trail and also provides numerous facts about the animals, insects and plants which call the AT home.

As an avid outdoorswoman and former third grade teacher, Carolyn Cook led her students, yearly, on an Appalachian Trail hike as the culmination of a unit on the environment. Carolyn is currently assistant professor of Education at Mount St. Mary's University. Doug Cook is a librarian and professor at Shippensburg University. Beau Bowersox is a sculptor, graphic artist, and illustrator.


Available from PublishAmerica online.

Toms Run is Changing Colors

I haven't had much chance to hike this summer.  We spent a month in Australia, which took up most of my free time.  I am glad that things have slowed down enough at the Library that I can at least get out on the weekends.  Tom's Run is changing colors.  This photo was taken, heading south, just before you cross Tom's Run toward the shelter.  This is usually a good place to add the blue of the sky.

Flowers along Toms Run

I finally did something I have wanted to do for a long time. I followed Tom's Run from where it crosses the AT (near the shelter) east to Camp Michaux. The snow melt caused the creek to flow deeply enough that it had overflowed the banks and scoured the debris away from the banks. Most of the plants that would make a bushwhack difficult later in the summer were just showing their green noses out of the leaves. The first half of the way was fairly easy. The closer to the remains of Camp Michaux I got the more pine trees and brambles I needed to push through. Of course I took pictures of the Run the whole way.

I have been unusually busy recently. I have been out hiking several times but not enough. To make it worse this is the first time I have downloaded any pictures from my camera in two weeks. I will put a few more on my web album..

18 degrees and a brilliant blue sky

I took a hike this morning past Tom's Run Shelter.  I bushwhacked from the Appalachian Trail where Tom's Run crosses the Trail near the Shelter.  Because of the rain last week and the snow melt the Run was higher than it usually is at this time of year.  The sky was a brilliant blue and it was cold - 18 degrees.  Most of the pictures I took this morning were of puddles with ice forming on them.  I particularly like these two photos because of the pools and the waterfalls and the ice.
I actually met a bunch of cold-looking hikers who had slept on the Trail last night.  They looked pretty happy though.  You can't beat walking in Michaux.

More photos