Sep, 4th, Sat, we gathered in front of the Alumni building at 8:30 AM. Everyone arrived on time and filled out the mini waiver printed by Jimmy. 8 cars of 34 people headed out to the trailhead of Pulpit Rock and Pinnacle Loop. This is said to be a heavily trafficked trail in Hamburg, PA. We arrived around 9:20 AM and proved it to be true. The parking lot was small and we had to park on the roadside. The group was divided into three groups for management.

This 9-mi hike started with ~ 1,300 ft ascent in the first quarter of the hike. It was not easy and challenging in certain sections. Also, since Pennsylvania is very rocky, many people were trying to find the easy route among the rocks. When we arrived at the first lookout place, Pulpit Rock, everyone had a smile on their face!

Then the trail was much flatter and we finished this section quickly, reaching the lunch place, Pinnacle. The view was great for lunch. And the lookout is spacy for a large group.

People enjoyed the view:

We were not alone on the Pinnacle – copperheads were the residents there. Within ten minutes, we spotted 3 copperheads who were hiding between the crevices or underneath the rocks.

On the way back close to the trailhead, we had a picture near the reservoir:

Everyone was tired but happy and fulfilling after finishing the 9-mi hike!

 

Photo: Guanyang, Xinqiao, Robert

Trip leader: Jimmy, Shasha