Rattlesnake Mountain



Rattlesnake Mountain, Delaware Water Gap (5/24/2008)

This out-and-back includes a beautiful 3-mile stretch of the 72-mile Appalachian trail in New Jersey. We parked at Crater Lake, at the end of the 2+-mile unmarked gravel road (denoted Skyline Drive on NYNJTC Trail map #16, South Kittatinny Trails). We took the unblazed road at the eastern side of the large parking area north to the orange-blazed Crater Lake trail and then made a right on the AT, taking it north to the peak of Rattlesnake Mountain, at which point we turned around and retraced our steps back to the car.

The total distance covered was 7 miles, and took approximately 3.5 hours. There are a few climbs, but nothing very strenuous.

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Rocks on shore of Crater Lake

Southern shore of Crater Lake

Wildflowers abound

Wildflowers on road to Crater Lake trail


Mourning doves


Path is a wide road here

Ferns on Crater Lake trail

 

Lilacs high above

AT narrows after being a wide dirt road

AT is rocky on entire stretch

 


Blueberry bushes all over



View east
 


Rock outcrop just west of AT

View north from outcrop

Laura on outcrop

We returned here for lunch
 


View west

Pennsylvania mountains

Bridge over stream

 



View west from near the peak

Somewhat steep climb here

 


Peak of Rattlesnake Mountain

View west from peak

Looking north

Swamp down below
 


[photo by Laura]

High Point Monument in distance


View west
 



Pitch pine

Radio tower to the south

 


Woodpecker work

Caterpillars are hatching

Our lunch spot

 


Spider


Birch

 


Ferns

West bank of Crater Lake


 


Kayaker

Viewpoint on Skyline Drive

View east

Lake Kathryn
 


Lake Kathryn


[photo by Laura]

Lilacs
 

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