This is a great short hike that is very quick and challenging at the same time. The views are pretty sweet but I suspect that people go here because of the rock scramble and terrain. This is rather quick though which makes this a good hike for beginners as long as they start very early. I recommend getting proper hiking boots and gear.
Lehigh Gap East Loop Important Information
Trail Map: Trail Map 1, Trail Map 2
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps
Difficulty: Easy To Moderate
Distance: 2.5 Miles
Elevation Gained: 1,000 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: None
Trail Breakdown
Parking Lot Trail
Appalachian Trail
Lookout
Opposite Side Lookout
Appalachian Trail
Blue Trail
Trail Going Back
https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/3528934552
Note: The information is just an approximation.
Parking
Start Of The Hike
Getting to the parking lot was rather tricky as the opening was very narrow and uphill. The slope was not friendly to my car but I still chose to keep going. The parking lot was big and spacious that it can fit around 20 cars inside it, maybe more. I was very excited for this hike as I heard a lot of good things about it. I packed a water bottle, made sure my camera gear was all good, and made my way to the top.
Unmarked Trail
It was a beautiful day for a hike, the sun was shining, the wind was blowing and my surroundings felt cool rather than hot. A great weather to hike, and I took full advantage of it. The gravel filled road felt awesome to walk on, it was effortless and not giving any resistance at all. It was smooth and easy but I knew such a footpath would not lasts for long.
Intersection
The first intersection was easy to reach and the obvious path was for me to go up. The footpath looked gentle for a half a mile before it got steeper. I took a few breaks as I hiked another area before this one. The steep footpath was harsh and used up most of my energy but I kept going on, improving even just a little.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian trail ascended upwards into the depths of a forest. The slope became steep and I was surrounded by trees that provided me some shade from the sun. Sweat accumulated on my back as I kept going upwards. The incline was unforgiving and I felt my energy getting drained with every step that I made.
Appalachian Trail
The footpath became rocky and the forest was starting to vanish. I was no longer surrounded by trees but by boulders of different sizes. I looked up just in case there were people hiking ahead of me and I didn’t want to be hit with any loose rocks that they may stumble upon. The sun was shining so bright and there was no longer any shade that I can take refuge on so I kept moving on, climbing the mountain slowly and steadily.
First Viewpoint
The first viewpoint was rather unimpressive but it was a good indication that the view may improve if I can get higher. I took a rest on some rocks before heading upwards. The cool air coming in from the horizon was gently lifting my spirits up and taking away the fatigue that built up inside my body. Before long, I was up and running, refreshed and ready to take on the mountain again.
Appalachian Trail
The trail became flat and I was able to take refuge at the bottom of a few tall trees. I wasn’t expecting such a nice trail that was easy and effortless. I took a 1 minute break just to catch up to my breath before moving forward. The breeze felt so nice on my skin and the shade felt so comfortable that I thought I could fall asleep if I rested any longer.
Appalachian Trail
My lungs were breathing harder as the footpath became steeper. There were no more trees to shade me, just a sea of rocks everywhere I looked. I pushed my body onward, huffing and puffing along the way. I wanted to at least get to a viewpoint before taking a rest.
Appalachian Trail
I kept moving up towards the top of the mountain, grasping one rock to the next. Pushing my whole body upwards, one step at a time. The heat from the sun was starting to accumulate as I felt my skin sweating more and more. I looked behind me and saw a beautiful scenery but I couldn’t admire it for long as I wanted to get up as quickly as possible.
Appalachian Trail
The view was pretty good but I was more focused on the rocks and footpath to appreciate it. The trail was becoming flat so I just kept pushing myself, trying to get to the next lookout.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian trail led me to a very steep climb. I disassembled my hiking sticks and packed them on my backpack so that I could use both of my arms. The slope was almost vertical but there were lots of rocks and boulders that I could step onto. The climb to the top was shorter and easier than I thought, took me less than 5 minutes to get to the top.
Lehigh Gap East Loop Lookout
I took a well deserved rest at the top of the steep climb as I felt my legs were too tired to keep moving. The mountain wind felt cool at this place and the afternoon sun was not as hot as it used to be. I could feel my body rejuvenating, getting stronger by the second, and I don’t have to do anything. All I had to do was look at the view and enjoy it.
Lehigh Gap East Loop Lookout – Other Side
A few minutes of walking and I found myself on the other side of the mountain. A sea of rocks were scattered on this part of the mountain, perhaps they came tumbling down from above. I don’t know, I was too busy enjoying the view. The wind kept blowing on this part of the mountain, making the trees dance and comforting my body over and over. A good place to take a rest even though there weren’t any shade to take refuge in.
Lehigh Gap East Loop Lookout – Other Side
The river glistened underneath the afternoon sun as the cars speed by the highway one by one. I stood upon a big stone, unmovable even under my weight, as I looked at the valley that was shimmering in beauty. This place reminded me of the lookout in Mount Tammany as that place also had highways, rivers and a big mountain in front of me.
Appalachian Trail
The trail was easy with barely any incline but it was filled with rocks and boulders that made me consume more energy as well as I tried my best to balance myself with each step that I made. With new found strength and stamina that I got from the lookout, I moved slowly but with ease as I got closer and closer to the top of the mountain.
Appalachian Trail
The sea of rocks disappeared and I was left with a narrow footpath leading to the top. The trail became very muddy with lots of grass and plant life growing on the sides. I hugged the side of the trail, trying to make sure I don’t step on any mud but even the sides were wet. I stepped one rock in the middle then to the next, avoiding the wet watery soil that this footpath was made out of.
Trail
The Appalachian trail moves forward while the blue trail that will take me back goes to the left.
Blue Trail
The blue trail was easy to walk on as the slope was very mild and easy on the knees. Every time I looked up, the sun was in front of me, it showered me with gentle warm rays and illuminated my path rather easily. There was no views nor lookout but the sky was very beautiful.
Blue Trail
The blue trail led me back deep inside a forest. The footpath became muddy with flowing water running through the trail. I could hear the cars on the highway from this part of the trail. It was a good indication that I was very near the bottom.
Blue Trail
After the forest, an opening could be seen. It features the mountain that I saw at the top before and the highway was now a lot closer than I had imagined. The river glistened underneath the sun-devoid sky. It looked grayish and muddy but still looked lovely in my eyes.
Trail Going Back
The trail going back was very flat and easy with fences and man-made nets to prevent the rocks from falling down the highway. The fences were there to prevent rocks from falling down and hitting cars or people. A good safety net that protects hikers from loose rocks falling down the mountain as well.
Trail Going Back
The fences were very high at this point and I could hear machinery near by but I couldn’t see them. I thought that maybe people were mining in this part of the mountain as the machinery sounded very loud that they impossible to ignore. I kept looking up, trying to find the source of the sound but couldn’t see anything.
End Of The Hike
The hike was very short and very quick yet it was very satisfying. A great hike to do if you were ever in the area. While I hoped it would have the same thrills and rock scrambling as Breakneck Ridge, it was still very good. Not as good as Breakneck but still good. I got into my car, went to a nearby restaurant and planned my next adventures.
For More Hikes
For more hikes similar to this one, you can go to my Best Hikes In Pennsylvania page.