Biking Hiking with Kids

I always like hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). I will probably never hike the whole trail so I always welcome the chance to hike a section of the legendary trail when I am on other hikes.

That was the case when I hike the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail / Appalachian Trail / Kittatinny Ridge in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area.

There are two trailheads for the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail. One is at the Mohican Outdoor Center operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and the other is on Route 602 about 1.8 miles south of Millbrook Village.

I started at the trailhead at the Mohican Outdoor Center and hiked the long loop, which is about 5.8 miles and shares about 2 miles of the AT.

There is also a shorter loop of the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail that is about 2.4 miles.

The trail I took starts near the end of Camp Road inside the Mohican Outdoor Center. The trailhead is on the right.

A short hike in, you will come this trail marker.

This is the starting and ending point of the loop (long and short). I choose to go straight. The trail climbs up to the AT trail on top of of ridge in about a quarter mile. It is steep and rocky most of the way to Catfish Tower but a lot less rocky and “flatter” and thus easier on the way down on the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail (orange blaze) to finish off the hike.

A rattlesnake near the Catfish Fire Tower.

The Catfish Fire Tower affords a full 360 degree view of the surrounding area – from the top of the tower. If you are afraid of climbing rickety, exposed structures that are high off the ground, don’t climb this tower.

On the return loop, you will pass rhododendrons and ferns hugging the narrow trails.

Toward the end of the hike, along Catfish Pond.

I highly recommend this hike to anyone that is in reasonable condition of fitness. Unfortunately, this is not a young kid friendly hike especially doing the loop. If you don’t mind back tracking skip the steep climb up to the AT trail. Instead, hike up on the Rattlesnake Swamp Trail (orange blaze) to the fire tower and turn back. The trip is a bit longer in distance but a child as young as eight should be able to tackle that  section of trail.

See more pictures from my Kittatinny Ridge; Rattlesnake Swamp Appalachian Trail hike.

The Mohican Outdoor Center may be difficult to find if you have never been there before. GPS will not give you correct directions. It might make for an easier hike to start the  hike from Route 602 since the AT trail hugs the old access road to the Catfish Fire Tower.

Here are the directions to AMC Mohican Outdoor Center posted at Summitpost.org

DIRECTIONS TO MOHICAN OUTDOOR CENTER
Summary: From New York City, eastern Connecticut, and points north:
1) New York Thruway south to 287 south to Route I-80 or GW Bridge to I-80
2) Take I-80 west to Exit 12 (NJ 521) Take right fork in exit, follow signs for Blairstown.
3) NJ 521 north to NJ 94 turn left (south)
4) NJ 94 south for 1.1 miles thru Blairstown to Mohican Rd
5) Right on to Mohican Road
6) Follow directions below from Mohican Road
From central New Jersey:
1) Rt- 31 north until it ends
2) Left on NJ 46 west approx 1 mile to NJ 519
3) NJ 519 north to NJ 521 in Hope
4) NJ 521 north to NJ 94, turn left (south)
5) NJ 94 south for 1.1 miles thru Blairstown to Mohican Road; Right on to Mohican Road
6) Follow directions below from Mohican Road
From Pennsylvania & Philadelphia:
1) NE Extension of PA Turnpike to US 22 East (Lehigh Valley Exit #33)
2) Take US-22 east to PA-33 North
3) PA-33 North to I-80 East
4) I-80 east to NJ-94
5) NJ-94 north about 7 miles to traffic light, new A&P Shopping Center on left
6) about 1 mile past light turn left on Mohican Road
From Mohican Road:
7) Follow Mohican Road 3½ miles to Gaisler Road CAUTION: This is a winding-road with
several forks always bear right at the Ys.
Turn left on Gaisler Road and go ½ mile.
9) Turn right on Camp Road (just before “Children Playing” sign). This turns into a dirt road.
10) Cross the Appalachian Trail.
11) You will come to an unlocked gate, drive thru.
12) When you see the Lodge on left and a double garage on the right, stop, park and come in to the lodge to register