Hike Description:

From the Riday's Gate parking area, begin the hike by crossing the yellow metal gate and proceeding along the abandoned railroad grade of the historic WB&E (Wilkes-Barre and Eastern) Railroad which operated from 1892 to 1939. This part of the hike is not shown on the park map. The railroad grade ascends ever so gradually, barely noticeable as you walk along. Look behind you to see the slight slope downward. A few low spots on the trail where water collects or flows through may be muddy but passable. While the railroad grade is virtually flat, the forest floor is not so there will be times when the trail is at ground level and times when it towers above atop an earthen embankment providing sweeping views of the woods down below.

[Editor's note: Portions of the railroad grade pass through private lands.  Please remain on the trail until you reach the red-blazed trail.  Even then, if you venture off-trail, be aware the slopes, especially the warmer south-slope, are prime rattlesnake habitat.] 

At 1.1 miles the railroad grade continues straight ahead as it becomes the red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop, now shown at the far right center of the park map. The trail to the left is the return route of the red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop later in the hike. Please sign the trail register in the brown box on the post. Continuing straight, the railroad grade now curves to the left between vertical stone walls, gradually mingling with rhododendron.

At 1.9 miles the red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop makes a sharp left turn - if you miss the turn you will know within a very short time as you reach the no trespassing zone of the Camelback Ski Corporation. Although the railroad grade continues across the ski slopes into State Game Lands 38 on the other side of the mountain, you may not pass through the ski area.

After the sharp left turn, the trail becomes noticeably steeper and will climb around 900 feet over the next mile. At 2.1 miles turn right where the red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop becomes the red-blazed North Trail. The trail now ascends very steeply but with no rock scrambles. Be sure to watch your footing on loose gravel. Where you started out at around 1,200 feet elevation, you will arrive at the summit of Camelback Mountain at 2,132 feet.

At 2.8 miles turn right on the orange-blazed trail that soon terminates at Rim Road, a paved one-way road that circles the mountaintop. A clearing on the right with a picnic table and bench offers a view to the north.

Cross Rim Road and continue on an unmarked gravel path to Parking Lot #4. Cross the parking lot and continue on the path to the right of the picnic area. A few trails will cross over - these lead to restrooms, picnic areas and back over to Rim Road. You can turn off to explore here or continue straight on the path arriving at Parking Lot #2 and the mountain summit with unobstructed views on both sides. You will literally feel like you have arrived at the top of the world. Grab a bench for a break spot with a spectacular view.

Since cars can drive to the summit of Camelback Mountain, you won't be alone in this area except from mid-December to spring when Camelback Road access to the summit is closed. Make note of the kiosk straight ahead with restrooms to the left. You will be taking a trail to the left of the restroom building to continue on but first walk ahead a short distance to the stone cabin built in 1908 by Henry Cattell who owned the land at the turn of the 20th century. A historic fire tower a little further, is still staffed in the spring and fall but is not accessible to the public. Over on the north slope of Camelback Mountain are the ski lifts and slopes of the Camelback Ski Area.

When finished exploring the mountaintop, return to the restroom building on the south side near the kiosk. Look for a trail to the left of the restrooms and proceed along that trail to Parking Lot #3. Veer to the right through the parking lot, walking out the entrance; cross over Rim Road and follow the sign for the South Trail. This puts you on the yellow-blazed Vista Trail. A short distance ahead a very touching memorial on the right commemorates the young man who built the trail for his senior high school project.

At the end of the Vista Trail, turn left on the yellow-blazed South Trail to a view on the right by a large boulder. Wind Gap, PA, directly ahead, is identified by a dip in the mountain range atop which sits the Appalachian Trail. The Kittatinny Mountain extends to the left of Wind Gap and the Blue Mountain to the right. As your eyes pan the horizon, picture the Appalachian Trail following that ridge for many, many miles.

Continue on along the yellow-blazed South Trail in the direction you were heading but don't be concerned if yellow blazes are hard to find - there aren't many but the trail is easy to follow even with heavy leaf cover. When the leaves are down, the Kittatinny Mountain range can be seen between the trees along this entire section the South Trail.

Around 4 miles, the Scout Trail on the left, built by a young man for his Scout project, leads back to Rim Road. Continue straight ahead to a clearing on the right with views of the Delaware Water Gap - Mount Tammany, NJ on the left and Mount Minsi, PA on the right.

Arrive at an intersection at 4.3 miles where the South Trail turns right. Leave the South Trail by continuing straight on the orange-blazed Indian Trail. This trail will be rocky for a while. A very brief downhill rock scramble might require use of hands for support. At 4.7 miles the trail veers left as several short trails to the right lead to ledges with views from the north all the way to the east. High Point monument in New Jersey is to the northeast but may be difficult to see from 40 miles away. The Delaware Water Gap can be seen again to the east. Although an unofficial trail travels along the ledge, it is dangerously close to a sheer drop down, so best to return to the Indian Trail to access other areas of the ledge from additional side trails along the way.

Continuing on the orange-blazed trail, arrive at a bench at an intersection at 5.2 miles. Turn left here and after a short distance the Indian Trail loop is completed back at the intersection with the South Trail; continue straight on the yellow-blazed South Trail. The trail will now start to switchback down steeply at times. Watch your footing on loose gravel.

The South Trail ends at an intersection at 6.35 miles where the red-blazed North Trail goes left and the red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop goes right. Turn right on the red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop.

The next intersection at 6.85 miles completes the loop back at the trail register from the beginning of the hike. The red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop continues to the left. Turn right here to proceed on the blue-blazed railroad grade, not marked at this intersection and not shown on the map. Arrive back at Riday's Gate at 8 miles.

Click for trail map.

Turn By Turn Description:

[ 0.00] From Riday's Parking Lot take the blue-blazed old railroad grade
[ 0.30] Cross over second yellow metal gate
[ 1.10] Straight on red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop at trail register intersection
[ 1.90] Red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop makes sharp left turn
[ 2.10] Turn right at intersection on red-blazed North Trail; ascend more steeply
[ 2.50] Keep right at fork; trail switchbacks up
[ 2.60] Keep right at intersection; keep left at fork short distance ahead
[ 2.80] Turn right on orange-blazed trail at end of North Trail
[ 2.90] Cross Rim Road continuing on gravel path
[ 3.15] Arrive at summit at Parking Lot #2
[ 3.35] Cattell Cabin - return to kiosk, face restroom, take trail to left of restrooms
[ 3.45] Veer right through Parking Lot #3, walk out entrance, cross Rim Road; take yellow-blazed Vista Trail to South Trail
[ 4.05] Scout Trail comes in from left; views of Delaware Water Gap on right
[ 4.30] At intersection proceed straight on orange-blazed Indian Trail
[ 4.70] Trail goes left while multiple side trail to the right go to views along ledges
[ 5.20] Turn left at intersection by bench; keep straight on South Trail ahead
[ 6.35] Turn right on red-blazed North Trail Lower Loop at end of South Trail
[ 6.70] Stay right at fork
[ 6.85] Turn right on blue-blazed old railroad grade where red-blazed trail turns left
[ 7.70] Cross yellow metal gate
[ 8.00] Arrive back at Riday's Gate parking area