Rausch Gap Shelter – Beaver Dam – The General – Yellow Springs – Appalachian Trail Pennsylvania

Описание: On this three day hike, KrizAkoni hikes from the parking at PA325 to Rauch Gap Shelter, continues to the parking at PA443 on day 2, and then returns to PA325 on day 3. It was a cold start at only 17 degrees (F). The sun came out and made things more bearable. The hike up to the ridge is a long 3.3 mile 1100’ ascent with no switchbacks. It is mostly an old logging road and not too difficult. Once up top, the trail becomes very straight and flat. There is a nice camp at Yellow Springs, the site of an old coal mining village. Be careful, in the middle of a narrow trail behind the camp is an abandon open well. The blue blaze trail ascends to the “Stone Tower” and old mining operation. More information can be found about it at its Geocache website here: https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/G...
Many of the water sources are contaminated from mining runoff and are very acidic. I would not recommend drinking any of the orange water or major streams at the base of the ridge. The Rausch Gap Shelter is very cool and has a water source right at it. It’s well configured and a nice place to stay. The second night I stayed in my tent back by the privy. North from the shelter is the old town of Rausch Gap. There are several stone ruins there as well as an old cemetery plot. The stonework has been removed from the steel bridge where the Limestone Neutralization site is. There are many ruins all around this area.
http://www.stonyvalley.com/rauschgap....
http://www.stonyvalley.com/diversion....
http://www.stonyvalley.com/summit.html
http://www.stonyvalley.com/stonearch....

The Beaver Dam is just north of the cemetery and would be problematic on a warm wet spring day. It was mostly frozen this trip and I was able to get across. The bypass is a bland road walk and then a fire road back up to the ridge. The hike from Swatara gap to Rausch is rather bland.

On the way back, there was time to hike out to see “The General”, and old abandoned shovel. It’s approximately 0.4 miles off trail, a bit far for a through hiker making long miles in this relatively flat area. http://www.stonyvalley.com/general.html

AT Miles Hiked – 16.0
Trip Miles Hiked – 37.4

0:00 | Introduction
0:10 | PA 325 Parking
4:01 | Yellow Springs
7:25 | The General
9:50 | Rausch Gap Shelter
9:05 | Boulderfield
12:28 | Dinner and Day 1 Summary
15:37 | Bridge
18:27 | Cemetery
18:49 | Beaver Dam
18:27 | Cemetery

Gear I used in this video and use on my other hikes - As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

Lone Peak 5: https://amzn.to/2ZV0zR6
AquaMira Drops: https://amzn.to/2TehA6E
TOAKS Light Titanium 550ml Pot (Ultralight Version): https://amzn.to/2PWHadZ
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress: https://amzn.to/2YuRyMU
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Women's Ultralight Mattress: https://amzn.to/2YrxXNX
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat: https://amzn.to/2sPoWST
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow: https://amzn.to/2RzPHFh
LEKI Corklite Trekking Poles: https://amzn.to/2Lz0OdQ
BRS-3000T Stove: https://amzn.to/2YrxnQh
Olicamp XTS Pot: https://amzn.to/2Lz0USK
Bulin BL300-F2: https://amzn.to/2rq5WtV
Mantles: https://amzn.to/2RwkdQw
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: https://amzn.to/3a2N9Gs
Hillsound Trail Crampon Traction Device: https://amzn.to/3aJ9rgX
SealSkinz Waterproof Hiking Sock: https://amzn.to/2OZLEAw

My camera gear:
Canon M50 Camera: https://amzn.to/341QKQM
Lens Polarizer Kit: https://amzn.to/2Ys0yCJ
SIRUI 3T-35 Video Tripod (best camera selfie stick): https://amzn.to/2LA4Na6

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