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Sunset Rocks is a scenic two-mile spur off the Appalachian Trail in southern Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest. If you hike it as a loop--incorporating 6 miles of the AT into the circuit--you can visit some of the AT's most notable landmarks in this area, including the remains of Michaux Camp (a former CCC turned WWII POW camp), the halfway point of the 2,200-mile journey, and the Appalachian Trail Museum, located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
The Pine Grove Furnace parking lot is where you will begin and end this 8.3 mile hike. Starting out on the AT, the trail will climb South Mountain and lead you into dense forest alongside the lovely Tom's Run creek. At about 1.5 miles in, you'll pass the first trailhead for Sunset Rocks (which you can opt for if you have limited time)--skip it. The next few landmarks are: Camp Michaux, the AT's halfway point, and Tom's Run Shelter. At about 3.8 miles in, you'll arrive at the other Sunset Rocks trailhead--take it.
The boulder fields up to Sunset Rocks make for a fun and sometime daring scramble. (Probably best to leave the pups and little ones at home for this one.) At the top, take some time to snack, stretch, and savor the view. Because you are on state forest land, you can also spend the night.
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Hike to Sunset Rocks in Michaux State Forest
Getting to the trail was a little confusing, but what trail isn’t the first time! Great hike but challenging when we got to the Sunset Rock. Saw a rattlesnake at the top!
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Camp at Tom's Run Shelter
Starting from the small parking area on Bunkerhill Rd, head north (turn right) onto Michaux Rd. After about 1/3 of a mile you will reach the Appalachian Trail where you will want to head west (turn left).This will lead you on a leisurely hike through the woods (follow the white blazes). It won't be long until you see a mailbox and a fancy signpost up ahead. This marks the exact halfway point of...
Hike Pole Steeple, Pine Grove Furnace SP
Pole Steeple begins in Pine Grove Furnace State Park and ends in Michaux State Forest. The hike is short, only a .75 mile climb up, and ends at the rock outcropping where you get a great view of the entire park. Pole Steeple is the main trail to the summit but there is also a longer, less steep of a trail that follows the cliffs on the south side of the mountain and eventually leads to the top....
Rock Climb at White Rocks
White Rocks, a segment of the slightly larger Pond Bank area, is a single pitch top rope or traditional climbing area. To get there, follow 30 until you are a few miles west of Caledonia State park and reach an intersection of 997. You can then head south on 997 until you reach White Rock Road.  Follow this road until you find some trail blazes on trees to your left and park at one of the many ...
Hike to the Cumberland Valley Overlook
This hike is steep at points but the climb up the mountain has lots of switchbacks so it isn't just straight up. The hike is beautiful and during the summer there are lots of blackberry and raspberry bushes along the trail that we stopped to snack on. The Overlook is just before you crest the top of the mountain and has a stone bench to sit and enjoy the views.
Hike Quaker Race's Lakeside Trail
This trail is best accessed from the Quaker Race Day Use Area or from the Cabin Colony for cabin occupants. This trail has a dirt or rocky surface, uneven terrain and one steep but short hill. This trail connects to Lakeside Trail at its end to form a 3-mile loop that passes through diverse habitats.The park consists of reverting farm fields and wooded hillsides with the 340-acre Pinchot Lake s...
Hike to the Susquehanna Overlook
Once you reach the power lines, about a mile after cresting the top of the mountain you can look one way and you’ll see the Susquehanna River. Look the other way, and you’ll see beautiful woods and farm fields in Perry County. Return by the same route for a total of about 7 miles.Parking is at the Route 850 Appalachian Trail parking lot, just past Millers Gap Road, about 5 miles east of Sherman...