2019-05-11 - Devil's Path
Devil's Path round two! I had attempted the 23-mile, 8000+ feet elevation gain, rocky, rooty, Devil's Path once a few years ago (https://www.dawnofnight.com/2016-09-03---eastern-devils-path.html), finishing the eastern half. A friend asked and I agreed to try it again. I remember it being hard but once again I underestimated how hard it would be, especially not having recovered from the 50-mile Rock the Ridge race the previous weekend.
I woke up at 3:15 AM to leave at 4:00 AM to arrive at the end of the trail at 6:15 AM. Three of us carpooled from there in a single car to the Prediger Road Trail Head at the eastern start of the trail to start hiking at 7:15 AM. We each went at our own pace and I summitted the first mountain, the 3573-foot Indian Head, at around 9:08 AM and mile 3.8. Some sections were muddy, others rocky and rooty. I had forgotten how much scrambling were required, pulling on tree roots and stepping into rocky holds to climb and descend.
(Mileages are according to the REI Hiking Project. It did not match what my watch recorded but should be more accurate.)
I woke up at 3:15 AM to leave at 4:00 AM to arrive at the end of the trail at 6:15 AM. Three of us carpooled from there in a single car to the Prediger Road Trail Head at the eastern start of the trail to start hiking at 7:15 AM. We each went at our own pace and I summitted the first mountain, the 3573-foot Indian Head, at around 9:08 AM and mile 3.8. Some sections were muddy, others rocky and rooty. I had forgotten how much scrambling were required, pulling on tree roots and stepping into rocky holds to climb and descend.
(Mileages are according to the REI Hiking Project. It did not match what my watch recorded but should be more accurate.)
The day was very windy and I was glad to take my first break in a wind-protected section before the ascent up the southern summit of Twin. Micheal caught up to me as I rested and we hiked relatively close to each other until reaching the southern peak where the views were some of the best of the day. After a short descent and ascent, I reached the true summit of the 3640-foot Twin Mountain at 10:05 AM and mile 5.2. A short while later, I reached the third mountain, the 3800-foot Sugarloaf, at 11:35 AM and mile 6.7. Most of these peaks had nothing particularly special to them, no views or markers. You only realize you've reached them when you start going back down. I finished the fantastic audio book of Song of Achilles written by Madeline Miller and started listening to the highly recommended Endure by Alex Hutchinson, which I felt was appropriate for the day.
The 3855-foot Plateau Mountain was next at mile 8.7 and 1:45 PM, with its true peak just slightly off trail. We were lucky that it was relatively dry. Even so, all three of us had fallen earlier in the day, Mike slipping and falling on his head while both Micheal and I slipped and hit our hip. I had also twisted my left ankle and it slowed me down a bit. This trail can be quite dangerous when wet and slippery and people do die out here.
After a rocky descent that was slower than I would have liked, I finally reached the midpoint near Devil's Tombstone Campground at 3:22 PM and mile 11.9 on Route 214. I was doing the math in my head and knew that I would have to hike the last mountain in the dark if I wanted to finish.
I took a very long break to swap my socks, filter water, and eat something. Micheal caught up to me here, took a shorter break, and we left together. We hiked together up the steep incline towards Hunter for a while. I told him that I had decided to take the shortcut and road walk back to the car. I didn't want to risk injury going up and down the last mountain with my knees and twisted ankle in the dark.
Leaving Devil's Path after Hunter Mountain, I greatly enjoyed the Diamond Notch Trail along the West Kill. The Diamond Notch Falls were spectacular and I finally had time to go slow, enjoy the scenery, and take photos.
After 0.9 miles I reached a 0.2 mile road which then led me to the larger Spruceton Road and Hunter Mountain Trailhead.
I walked on Spruceton Road for 3.3 miles from Hunter Mountain Trailhead to reach Mink Hollow where my car was parked, arriving at around 9 PM. After eating, drinking, and taking a two-hour nap, I waited for Micheal to arrive. He finished at around midnight having completed the ascent and descent of the 3880-foot West Kill which I had skipped.
Mike had finished around 5 PM, which I found extremely impressive. After driving Micheal to his car at Prediger, we both started our drive south back home. Coincidentally, we both parked at the same rest area to take a nap without seeing each other there. He took a shorter nap and went home. I ate dinner and slept for four hours, ate breakfast and finally drove home, arriving home past 9 AM, a full 30 hours after waking up the morning before. I am definitely going to go try it again at some point, hopefully better rested, healthier, and fitter next time.