We finished hiking this section on May 3, 2008. We hiked the first part with Fairway and the second part with B-Squared.
Duncannon to the Clarks Ferry Bridge
This was Fairway's first hike since she broke her wrist in Georgia. Even though Fairway's wrist was still in a cast she was chomping at the bit to get out hiking again.
We started our hike in Duncannon (near the fire station) and followed the trail through town. The trail is actually right of front of people's houses!
Once we left the town, we saw a campground and then we crossed over the Juniata River.
Bridge over Juniata River
Just before we reached the Susquehana River, we saw a sign that said "Last adult beverage until Port Clinton and home of TrailAngleMary 58 Flavors Chicken Wings Riviera Tavern."
We crossed over the Susquehanna River via the Clarks Ferry Bridge. This bridge was very long and we were very glad that we were not crossing it on a hot sunny day! Once we reached the parking lot at the other end of the bridge, we turned around and walked back to Duncannon.
Python & Fairway
The fire department was having a chicken barbeque so we decided to have lunch there. During lunch Dirigo brought out the profile maps for Maine so that we could discuss our backpacking trip in the 100 mile wilderness for August 2008.
Clarks Ferry Bridge to Peters Mountain Ridge (PA 255) (5/3/08)
Even though there was a 30% chance of rain today everyone wanted to hike. This was our first hike with B Squared and she takes the Clarks Ferry Bridge whenever she visits her mother.
Python & B-Squared
The ascent up Peters Mountain was pretty easy and we met 2 day hikers descending the mountain who warned us about the slippery rocks ahead. B Squared immediately took the lead and led us up the mountain.
Ascending Peters Mountain
Unfortunately, there were no views of the Susquehanna River but the dreary weather kept the snakes in their dens. People told us there are a lot of rattle snakes on Peters Mountain Ridge. We were all careful on the rocks and took our time. No one wanted to get hurt.
Dirigo & B-Squared
We stopped for lunch at the Clarks Ferry Shelter and met a group of 5 hikers heading north to Peters Mountain Shelter for the night.
Clarks Ferry Shelter
One of the ladies was a wilderness therapist and she had a really big Arc’Teryx backpack (which she highly recommended). Both Dirigo and B Squared complained about the height of the toilet seat in the privy.
At one point B Square asked someone else to lead because she was unsure on the rocks and has bad knees. To get down, everyone held onto the tree with the white blaze while sliding on our butts to the trail below.
After lunch were encountered 3 young hikers with huge packs and an older gentleman who were all headed to Duncannon for the night. We also saw an Amish gentleman near a pipeline clearing (he was not very friendly).
The most dangerous part of the hike was making a left turn from the parking lot at PA-225 on Peters Mountain. Just uphill from the parking lot is a hair pin turn so you can not see the on coming cars. Fortunately, a pedestrian footbridge was constructed over the road several years ago.