Lehigh County High Point Trip Report

Date: September 7, 2003
Author: Dave Orsheski

Blue Mtn 1 1/2 miles north of Quaker City

Took I-81 south to the PA 309 exit. Sorry, can't recollect the number. From there, I took 309 to New Tripoli, turned right on PA 143 S and followed it into Wanamakers. I followed Mike Schawrtz's directions except I headed into Wanamakers from the east instead of the west. Accordingly, I made a right instead of a left onto Slateville Road. This is directly after you pass a 'general store' on the left.

Following Mike's directions, I parked next to a barn at the curve in Dresher Road. I knocked at a nearby white house to see if it was okay to park next to the barn, but no one answered. So I just left a note underneath my wiper explaining my business. No one bothered my car so I'm guessing it's all right to park there.

I followed the blue-blazed trail to where it seemed to crest. The trail itself was well marked but resembled more of a creek wash-out than a trail in some places. Watch your footing. Where the trail crests near the summit is where I ran into problems. I wandered around, but couldn't find where the blue-blazed trail met up with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. I was relying on my GPS and it was telling me to go straight through the woods, which I did, even crossing over the white-blazed trail at one point.

The summit is a pile of boulders which I climbed up. Once there, I wandered back and forth to make sure I covered the highest point. The cabin that Mike mentions in his directions was obscured from view by trees, but I did eventually find it. Best bet is to climb up the rocks and walk the ridge east to west and west to east. The view is spectacular.