PENNSYLVANIA ROCKS

By Chappy Jack

July 1, 2019

Mile: 1293.8

Location: Delaware Water Gap, Penn.

Miles to Katahdin, Maine: 898.2

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliver. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

“Rocksylvania” has lived up to it’s name among AT hikers as a state filled with rocks. Big, medium, small, and sharp, littered over countless miles on the trail. These rocks bruise feet, twist ankles, and trip hikers as they make their way across 227 miles of Pennsylvania. Hikers have left the trail from injuries or from relentless foot pain.

If anything could make up for the Pennsylvania rocks, it would be the people of Pennsylvania. They have been warm, kind, and generous. Trail magic (often in the form of much needed water, sodas, or Gatorade) has been plentiful. In one day alone, trail magic occurred three times!

Psalm 18:2 is one of my favorite scriptures. In times of stress or trouble, I like to imagine that Christ is like a huge Boulder that I am clinging to.

My feet are currently swollen and painful, but as I plod across “Rocksylvania,” I call to mind Psalm 18:2 and that “the LORD is my rock.”

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have kept me free from injury. I pray that your peace would be upon those hikers that have left the trail because of injuries or pain. Please protect hikers as they hike across “Rocksylvania.”

Tomorrow, I cross into New Jersey! The rocks don’t stop at the state line, but I hear that they end soon!

Notice the white blaze on the rock about a quarter way down on the right. Yes, these boulders are part of the trail.
Another Boulder scramble. Notice the blaze on the very top rock.


Using duct tape to repair shoe ripped by the rocks.
Smaller rocks across the trail.
Hiker buddies wanted me to wear a helmet, but then decided that I was too hard headed for the rocks to hurt me in a fall.

2 Replies to “PENNSYLVANIA ROCKS”

  1. Thank you for your ministry, Chappy Jack. It looks like the Rocks of Peann also are hard on shins as well as shoes and feet. Take care.

Comments are closed.