Photo Sunday – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

photo credit: joiseyshowaa

For 40 miles the Middle Delaware River passes between low forested mountains with barely a house in sight. Then the river cuts through the mountain ridge to form the famed “Water Gap.” This is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

While living in Delaware, I had been section hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail in Delaware and Pennsylvania in preparation to hike the whole thing from passes through the beautiful Water Gap. I knew this hike would afford a great great rock climb, views, forests, meadows and an overnight wilderness sleep under the stars, so I was pretty excited. Until I parked at the bottom of the mountain in the top picture and looked at the intimidating climb in the picture below it. To give you some perspective, the above picture was taken almost at the top of the trail as you are about to reach the ridge but doesn’t show the grueling 1 hour hand over hand climb to get there.

photo credit: joiseyshowaa

Anyone who has done a lot of hiking or climbing, knows that it’s not the climb that drives us up the mountain, but the view from the top, and this view, made the labor and sweat, all the more sweet.

courtesy of Kenudigit

As you hike along the A.T., the trail takes you in and out of the forest, through shaded glen, rock bottom stream beds and back out into the brilliant sunlight.

If you live in the area, or are ever in the area, this section of A.T. is one of the best. After having spent an almost sleepless night on top of the ridge, during a huge thunderstorm, I woke up to find wild blueberry’s on the trail, and sitting and eating the natural breakfast while looking down at the river is one of my fondest hiking memories.

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Related posts:

1. Photo Sunday – Arlington National Cemetery
2. Photo Sunday – Shenandoah National Park
3. Photo Sunday – Sounds of Nature