Day 342
6 hrs, 12 kms

Actual date: April 8, 2015

This is going to to be a long hike from Shirleysburg to Huntingdon without doing any sidetrips . But when I see a trail that says "Thousand Steps Trail" I have to at least check it out.

Turns out, this is actually a thousand steps of stone, climbing 1,100 feet (350 meters) which were used by quarry workers to for a grueling climb--so they could start an equally grueling day of work in the quarry! I figure, if they could do it on a hard work day, I can do this hike in the middle of a long hike... So up I go.

It is a fun experience... climbing this Stairway to Heaven. Brings back memories of the stairways up the mountains to temples in China, like Tai'an. But this was not used to go to a place to worship, but rather to labor away at what I would imagine was a low paying job. I wonder what kind of people worked here... recent immigrants from Eastern Europe, perhaps? You would think that the quarry owner could have set up some sort of cable ride or something...

I take a break from thinking of the grim life of a 19th century laborer, and enjoy the beauty of a stairway of natural stone, blending into the mountain ...

At the top, there is a decent view of the valley, and remnants of the quarry which is partly overgrown with trees. A middle aged fellow is resting at the top--I guess this trail is popular for folks in the area wanting a good workout.

Just think: at 1,100 feet... that's teh equivalent of climbing the 100 storey Hancock building in Chicago!

Finally it's time to continue on my way. I'm way behind schedule.

The next town is on the other side of the river, away from the Main road. It gives it a different feel, more secluded, with river on one side and moutains on the other. Unlike the 1700s towns that were built with a clearly defined Main Street along the main road, Mapleton is a 1800s town with no real Main Street... just houses with yards that blur into each other... young folks ambling about, having fun, bouncing on their trampolines... overall gives the feel of a cheery, friendly place to live.