Appalachian Trail thru-hikers refer to Pennsylvania as “Rocksylvania” because of the amount of jagged, sharp, toe-stubbing, and ankle-twisting rocks on the walking surface.  This portion of the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail is surprisingly smooth with just a few short rocky sections scattered throughout. Although there is very little elevation change along this ridge hike other than the initial ascent, expect a scramble over jumbled boulders and ledges to reach Wolf Rocks at the end before heading back.

Start the hike by walking beyond the gate where Totts Gap Road becomes a gravel access drive for the communications tower at the top.  There will be no blazes along this road. This will be the most elevation gain in one stretch, about 300 feet in a quarter of a mile.  Almost at the top, continue straight through an intersection with another gravel road on the left and a woods road on the right.  A short distance farther uphill brings you to the crest of the rise with the Appalachian Trail crossing over the gravel road.  Turn right here and follow the white blazes that will guide you through this entire hike.  The uphill climb continues just a little more through the woods.  The trail then levels out and proceeds through two power cuts where you can catch a little preview of the views to come through the towers and lines. 

Around the 1-mile point, when the trail becomes noticeably rockier and makes a very short rocky ascent, watch for a side trail to the left at the top of this rise which leads a short distance to Lunch Rocks.  From this rock outcrop, you can look north and see the communications tower at Totts Gap where you just came from, Mount Minsi behind the tower, and Mount Tammany, NJ just the other side of Mount Minsi.  If it’s early in the morning and hazy, you’ll have a second chance at a better view on your way back in a few hours.

Continue on another .85 mile to a wide grassy clearing, Nelson Overlook, with panoramic views to the east.  A short distance ahead a blue-blazed side trail on the right leads to the Kirkridge Shelter.  This trail continues beyond the shelter and meets back up with the Appalachian Trail in .15 miles. 

Arrive at a large kiosk in Fox Gap at the 2.6-mile point.  A little farther ahead go to the left of the guardrail and cross over Route 191.  Proceed through an Appalachian Trail parking lot.  The next mile and a half will consist mostly of woods roads, again fairly rock-free.  The rocks may have been used to build the crumbling stone walls sometimes visible along the woods roads.  The smooth woods roads will come to an abrupt end when you look up to see a wall of jumbled rocks and boulders looming ahead.

Pick your way over the rocks and boulders while keeping the white blazes in view so you don’t wander off course.  At the top the trail levels out and continues across rock slabs and ledges through pine trees, rhododendrons, and mountain laurel.  You can climb up on the boulders to your right for some previews of what is to come, but do continue – you won’t need to climb up on a boulder for the best views.  Continue stepping from one slanted ledge to another.  Arrive at a clearing with open views to the west and northwest of Cherry Valley and the Poconos.  This vista, the turnaround point for this hike, makes a nice break spot before heading back.

[  0.00]  Walk beyond the gate and follow the gravel road uphill
[  0.25]  At the intersection continue straight on the gravel road to the top of the incline; turn right on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail before the gravel road starts to descend
[  0.35]  Cross power cut
[  0.40]  Cross power cut
[  0.95]  View to the west at a small clearing on the right as AT turns left
[  1.00]  Short side trail on left to Lunch Rocks overlook of Mt. Minsi and Mt. Tammany
[  1.85]  Nelson Overlook at the grassy open area
[  2.00]  Blue-blazed side trail on the right to Kirkbridge Shelter
[  2.15]  Blue-blazed side trail on the right leads back to AT from Kirkbridge Shelter
[  2.25]  Cross power cut
[  2.60]  Kiosk at Fox Gap
[  2.65]  Cross Route 191 and proceed on AT through the parking area
[  4.00]  Cross power cut
[  4.20]  Rock scramble up to Wolf Rocks
[  4.25]  Open view at Wolf Rocks; retrace back to Totts Gap
[  8.50]  Arrive back at Totts Gap parking lot