On the Trail with Darcy and Lizzy: Pine Grove Furnace and Caledonia State Parks

Continuing on the Appalachian Trail south from Boiling Springs, Darcy and Elizabeth leave the farmland behind when they enter Michaux State Forest. This is the geographical halfway point of the Appalachian Trail, equidistant between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Contained within Michaux State Forest are two Pennsylvania State Parks: Pine Grove Furnace and Caledonia. Both are named for iron furnaces left over from the booming iron industry of the 18th and 19th centuries.

In Boots & Backpacks, Elizabeth’s college buddy Richard Fitzwilliam works as a Pennsylvania Park Ranger at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. He takes Darcy and Elizabeth to Pole Steeple, followed by a picnic at Laurel Lake.

Rich may be a good host, but Darcy and Elizabeth don’t stay long. They continue south to Caledonia State Park, which is the site of an iron furnace once owned by famed US Representative and abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens.

Taking advantage of the proximity, Darcy and Elizabeth take an off-trail excursion to Gettysburg National Battlefield, before continuing south.

Up next on the Trail: Maryland’s South Mountain.

Previous On the Trail with D&E posts:

Delaware Water Gap Part 1

Delaware Water Gap Part 2

Eastern Pennsylvania

Hawk Mountain and the Pinnacle

The Schuykill to the Susquehanna

Duncannon to Boiling Springs

The Boots & Backpacks Map