Juniata County High Point Trip Report

spot elevation on Shade Mtn 1 3/4 miles WNW of Nook (2,228 ft)

Date: March 14, 2000
Author: Michael Schwartz

On PA 333 northbound in Mifflin, stay on Licking Street when 333 turns right. Licking Street becomes SR 4002 (East Licking Creek Drive). Road turns to gravel and is followed for 13.9 miles to left at state forest road sign giving mileage to various towns. Make a left onto unsigned road that drops down steeply to concrete bridge over stream. Go 0.4 miles to junction and sign (misspelled) for Spectacle Gap Road. Continue straight ahead, bear right after another 0.5 miles and drive 4.0 miles to summit if gate is open near top, or park and walk the last half mile to the summit. This road gets very rocky in spots, but is passable by passenger cars. Lookout tower is gone. Highest ground is just NE of the former tower site.

Note (1): East Licking Drive can also be reached from Mt. Union, Reeds Gap, and Mattawana. The Reeds Gap approach may require the least mileage on gravel, but all the approaches are long. This is a remote high point.

Note (2): While I was on the summit, a tree fell across the road about two miles below. Fortunately, it was very rotten, and I was just able to shove it off the road. From now on, I will be carrying a tree saw in the trunk!