Catfish Mountain Lookout Tower and the Fountain of Youth (moderate)
Details
Kittatinny is a corruption of the Lenape "Kitahtene" which means "Endless Mountain". During the last Ice Age the top of the mountain was scoured by ice sheets and the hard quartzite topping the ridge was broken into sharp blocks. The name of the mountain probably refers to the linear nature of the mountain, stretching from the Shawangunks in New York to the Mason-Dixon Line, but it could just as easily refer to the experience of walking across its rocky top.
Here, we traverse a short section of the Kittatinny ridge top between the Yards Creek gap at the Mohican Outdoor Center, past the Catfish Mountain firetower and its views, down to Millbrook Rd. and a spring purported to have healing powers (it doesn't). This will comprise a moderately difficult 8 mile loop with some short climbing sections up the ridge. The trail can be rocky in stretches which requires good footing and appropriate footwear. As always bring some water and extra calories to get you through the day.
We start at 9am from the parking along Camp Mohican Rd. by the AT trail crossing. Make sure to arrive on time. Once we start I do not check my phone for late comers.
Hike will cancel from severe weather.
Catfish Mountain Lookout Tower and the Fountain of Youth (moderate)