AT at High Point



AT at High Point (5/17/2008)

This out-and-back was our first time on the AT in High Point State Park. We parked at the AT parking area on Route 23, very near the park's visitor's center, went north along the ridge, then turned east until we reached Route 519, Mountain Road. At this point we turned back.The High Point obelisk is not on the AT, so we didn't get to visit the tower on this hike, or experience the spectacular views from its base. But the views from this stretch of the AT are still good. In fact, there is a sturdy wooden observation deck about a mile from Route 23 that offers excellent views in nearly all directions.

This 6+ mile hike took us under 4 hours. There is a good climb north of Route 23 and also west of Route 519 (Mountain Road).

(Click on the thumbnail to bring up a bigger image in a pop-up window)


Phone line cut near Route 23 trailhead

Route 23 trailhead


View east


View east


Blueberry bushes

Rocky climb

 


Chatush Padasana

First glimpse of the obelisk

View east
 


View east

Jackie Hester memorial behind a big rock


Observation deck
 



View west

View east

 




Pines

Intersection with Monument trail
 


Descending

Near High Point Lean-to

Steep drop to a cascade

[Photograph by Laura]
 


Honeysuckle

Stream crossing


Lots of boundary walls here
 


Tree wrapped in wire

Goldfinch?


Honeysuckle
 


Open field near Route 519

Steps down to Route 519

Swamp

 




Hatching caterpillars

 


NJ and US flags at monument base


Monument tip

 



View east

View east

View east
 


Farms far to the east


[Photo by Laura]

Super macro close-up
 

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