Stealth camp to 501 shelter


Day 14
Monday, April 11
Stealth camp to 501 shelter
15.4 miles


We woke up to rain. It was a harder day today with several rock fields to walk through and a hard uphill from Swatara Gap. On the north side of William Penn Shelter we came upon what looked like an old wagon road for several miles. It was much easier walking until right before Hwy 501 where we had a couple more rock fields.

We stayed at 501 Shelter with Ragnar. He is hiking from Delaware Water Gap south to Springer.  501 Shelter is a large fully enclosed shelter with 12 bunks, a table and chairs, a skylight and a solar shower.  A caretaker resides next door.   Unfortunately, the privy is a very long way from the shelter.  They called it a winter privy.  I wonder what folks are suppose to do in the summertime?

We had been looking forward to ordering pizza from the shelter.  Word travels about these things on the trail grapevine.  Unfortunately, the flyers in the shelter told us that the two that deliver are closed on Monday. We called another one, but they don’t deliver.  Oh no!  I sent out an SOS text message to our Shuttle driver, Pastor Jason Stump.  He had mentioned that he was urging his church to get more involved in trail magic, this would be an opportune time, right?  Score!  Within no time, a couple drove up to the door of the shelter with two large pizzas, 2 bags of chips, and a carton of cokes. Delicious!  All three of us ate our fill and left some with the caretaker to be given to hikers the next day.

 


In Swatara Gap, how do you ford the river?
In Swatara Gap
Swatara Gap


Swatara Gap




501 Shelter

501 Shelter

501 Shelter

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