10 May.

10 May.
I dawdled a bit getting ready to leave the hostel at Delaware Water Gap this morning. Several other hikers including Wildfire and Bobkat were trying to get out early, and I wanted to post my 9 May update before I left town.

Traveler and Shirtless were also starting later (pictured) as we ate breakfast.

I followed Shirtless across the Delaware River, noting the sign painted on the bridge walkway as I entered New Jersey (pictured). I followed the #AppalachianTrail blazes along the road and river (pictured), then under the highway into Worthington State Forest, where the trail ran along the pretty waterfalls and pools of Dunnfield Creek (pictured). I took the wrong fork in the trail for a minute because the AT blaze was hidden by emerging leaves. It should have been obvious that the AT took the steeper path!

The morning was cool and great for hiking. The trail alternated from smooth to rocky (pictured), but fairly level after the initial climb.

I eventually reached Sunfish Pond, a glacial remnant and a really beautiful area (pictures). The AT ran along the rocks at the pond's edge and gave some great views. I passed a couple of other hikers going south, then came across "rock sculptures" along the shore (pictured).

The sky had clouded up, and some raindrops fell as I reached the north end of the pond where the AT continued, and I managed to put on my poncho just as the rain picked up.

The trail ran through blueberry bushes up onto a ridge with more great views, and eventually to a large rockpile (pictures). I actually enjoyed the rain and wind as I traversed the ridge, though grateful there was no lightning. Along the way, I passed several other day hikers heading south (a van I later passed parked at the trailhead was from Outward Bound in Philadelphia).

The trail dropped steeply from the ridge and I followed the sign (pictured) for the AMC Mohican Outdoor Center (https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/Lodges/mohican) where I got a bunk for the night. The bunkhouse has a common area with kitchen, and individual bunkrooms with one bunkbed in each (pictured). Several were occupied, so I dumped my pack in one that wasn't and took a shower and changed.

Broken Arrow stopped in to chat. She is trying to finish a thru-hike north that was interrupted. Old n Slow is also here, and so is Wildfire.

I stopped by the Center's lodge to use the WiFi , and found both Wildfire and Old n Slow doing the same. Wildfire recommended the "Coppermine Club" sandwich, so I had one as well. It was huge! There is talk of a group order for pizza tonight, and I might chip in for that, as well!