where do the PA rocks start?

[Rusty Joints]

I am planning a section hike north from the PA MD border. I have heard that the notorious PA rocks are in the northeast part of the state. Is that true? If it is, how far north can you go from PenMar before you encounter them?
thanks
R joints

[brian039]

They start around Harper's Ferry but you get a little break from them in Southern PA. Looking back at my journal from my thru-hike I started complaining about the rocks again after William Penn Shelter.

[brian039]

Meant to say around Front Royal is approximately where they start.

[illabelle]

Rusty Joints, to WhiteBlaze!

My husband and I have hiked all of Maryland, and a third of Pennsylvania, from Pen-Mar to Duncannon. While there certainly were rocks in MD, I don't remember them being much of an issue. Brian is right that Southern Penn includes some flat walks through cornfields and across some wide ridges, with a few rocky places thrown in to keep it interesting.
I've always heard that it's further east that the rocks get really bad. I'm not looking forward to the rest of Pennsylvania because of it's rocky reputation.
On the other hand, we hiked New Jersey in May, and they've got rocks there too. Quite a few of them.

[rustmd]

i just finished hiking the state of PA, the rocks get pretty bad after 501 shelter, much worse than the southern part of PA. i'm praying the rocks in NJ/NY are not as bad. . .

.com

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I'm pretty sure they start in Georgia

[Don H]

The PA rocks start where the MD rocks end, PenMar Park

I always felt the rocky stuff starts north of Duncannon and the stretch between Lehigh Gap and Wind Gap was the roughest section.

[Disco]

My experience (130 miles from PenMar to Rt 501) is that you will encounter rocks occasionally and some very easy terrain occasionally. I haven't done them yet, but the climb up the mountain at Lehigh Gap (near Palmerton) looks interesting, as well as the Knife Edge near Rt 309. If you are coming through this area, let us know, perhaps we can join you. - Disco

[rocketsocks]

The PA rocks start where the MD rocks end, PenMar Park

I always felt the rocky stuff starts north of Duncannon and the stretch between Lehigh Gap and Wind Gap was the roughest section.

I think pretty much this is on the money. The rocks start in earnest as the Blue Mt. turns to the N.East and they continue to the Delaware river and beyond into NJ....the worst of it being just north of Wind Gap. It's like walkin on "Jumbo Giant" three grit sand paper.

[illabelle]

I think pretty much this is on the money. The rocks start in earnest as the Blue Mt. turns to the N.East and they continue to the Delaware river and beyond into NJ....the worst of it being just north of Wind Gap. It's like walkin on "Jumbo Giant" three grit sand paper.

Now I really can't wait.

[Don H]

People think the PA rocks end at the NJ border. Nope, they go all the way to High Point State Park.

[A.T.Lt]

I think the PA rocks start in PA... I could be wrong though.

[A.T.Lt]

People think the PA rocks end at the NJ border. Nope, they go all the way to High Point State Park.

and they take a brief hiatus an appear again after Wawayanda all the way to about Greenwood Lake NY

[Tuxedo]

rocks in PA are mainly north of Duncannon to DWG. That said they reside elsewhere too but I found the most overgrowth between those 2 points that makes the ankle killers the most deadly. Looking around at the beauty PA has to offer is difficult due to the rocks and overgrowth. Area shale in PA also is sharp and stepping on miles of it attempting to pierce the bottom of your shoes is what takes its toll on your feet, they will feel bruised and like bee sting victims look after disturbing a nest unknowingly.

[shelb]

I agree with everyone here:
PA is full of rocks!
Yet, the southern area has the fields, and the rock areas are not "quite as bad."
The North? - OMG - those suckers have been sharpened and stick right up into your feet!
-just my experience!

[Don H]

and they take a brief hiatus an appear again after Wawayanda all the way to about Greenwood Lake NY

I think I saw some PA rocks in Connecticut too. At least they looked like PA rocks, sharp and pointy.

[rocketsocks]

I think I saw some PA rocks in Connecticut too. At least they looked like PA rocks, sharp and pointy.

lol....yeah, that was them, pesky little critters.

[pistol p]

I'd say that the "rocks" start to bleed in 5 miles south of Duncannon, and they get worse the farther north you go. They go all the way up to Delaware Water Gap. The fact is, they don't stop there. They keep going through half of Jersey. The only thing that "helps", is that for some reason, the rocks in Jersey aren't as sharp.

[rocketsocks]

I'd say that the "rocks" start to bleed in 5 miles south of Duncannon, and they get worse the farther north you go. They go all the way up to Delaware Water Gap. The fact is, they don't stop there. They keep going through half of Jersey. The only thing that "helps", is that for some reason, the rocks in Jersey aren't as sharp.

...it's the public schools.

[rocketsocks]

foiled again by the white background straight forward threading....my bad! did it start out that way?