Wherever you are on the AT – you’re bound to hear about the ‘Deli Trail’

This famous section, spanning through the Mid-Atlantic states is every hungry hiker’s wet dream,

from the moment you cross into NY down to Harper’a Ferry, you’re never a step away from a delicious sandwich, a good slice of pizza, or a cup of much-needed, real coffee.

Once LB, WM, and I left CT, I knew our time together was limited. After all, Yom Kippur was well on its way, and I was nowhere near a synagogue.

I knew I had to think fast and hike even quicker. The nearest on-trail Jewish community was in Stroudsburg, PA, right outside of Delaware Water Gap, the first trail town in PA going SOBO.

That meant I had to hike about 200 miles in 12 days and still be in town on time to rest, shower, and eat before my religious 25-hour fast.

My plan was to hike together as long as I could, savor every bit of the Deli trail and hopefully regroup a few days after the fast somewhere in PA, hopefully, along with Berg.

We made it 3 days.

We crossed the beautiful landscapes of Upstate NY, crossing farmland, small towns, and highways, and even stopped for a quick bite at the famous Malaysian food truck outside of Pawling (for those Asian food lovers among you – this one’s a MUST).

The days were warm and humid,  and water sources were running dry. More than once, we had to carry full water for 10 miles, hoping our camping spots would be anywhere near a stream and give us a break from the never-ending walks with a heavy pack.

After staying the night at the Graymoor Monastery around a warm fire and a freezing cold shower (once again – MUST), we left for one last breakfast at the Appalachian Market.

I headed on into Fort Montgomery and the Trailside Zoo.

This one had me excited – I’ve heard so much about it and even tho I had a long day ahead, I was set on spending some much-needed ‘Sherpa-Time’ in the Zoo.

After spending 4 months in the woods, walking around so many people can be overwhelming.

the kids running around, the families, cars, and the usual NY traffic were bittersweet because even though I liked being alone – it was comforting knowing my approaching solo hike wouldn’t be lonely.

I made my way through the crowded zoo and made it up Bear Mt. just in time to grab lunch at the West Mt shelter, with a beautiful NYC skyline view (if you can – SPEND THE NIGHT HERE!)

Before I knew it  – I had made it to Warwick, an ordinary trail town with 2 main features:

1. A bougie Shoprite resupply, which is a walking distance from
2. a drive-in theater, where you can camp!

The Warwick Drive-in is definitely one of the coolest trail gimmicks I’ve had the pleasure of participating in—and so should you!

Hiking Through NJ Wasn’t Anything Special

I can see why people call it the ‘Most forgotten state on the AT’ (No offense NJ’ers <3)

It’s not that I didn’t like it—the ice cream places were great, and the Boardwalk was cool—but with days in the high 80s and low 90s and barely any water sources, I couldn’t wait to get to PA.

Up Until My Last Night in NJ

camping right outside of DWG, I was so happy I made it in time for the fast – all I had left was a quick 3 miles in the morning.

We Jews believe that on Yom Kippur, the gates of heaven open, and G-D hears our prayers. The night before, when the sky flared with the green and purple blazes of the northern lights, I felt a little closer to heaven.

DWG Is The Best Town To Break A Fast In – Hands Down

With a great BBQ place, a farmers market loaded with baked goods, an old ice cream place, and a bunch of cute coffee shops, I couldn’t have wished to celebrate Yom Kippur in another place.

After a much-needed double zero, I heard a familiar voice trailing into the ‘Church of the Mountain’ hiker hostel, and lo and behold, I was reunited again with my friends LB & WM, with ‘Berg being only a few days behind.

We moseyed down the trail, crossing Rocksylvania for a couple of weeks, camping wherever water was near, and made point to stay at the ‘501 shelter’ at the 1000-mile mark and at the lookout hostel (both great spots to get pizza, and the LOH as a ‘make your own pancake’ station).

We even got to cross off the ‘Half Gallon Ice Cream challenge’ off of our ‘AT To-Do list’ at the trail’s halfway mark (not realising that 45 degree weather isn’t ideal for Ice Crem  shenanigans)

 Before we knew it – The Deli trail came to its end

Crossing the Mason – Dixie line into MD meant 2 things:

1. We’re closer than ever to celebrating Halloween at Hiesenberg’s house.
2. We’re closer than ever to the damaged trail section – and we have some big decisions to make, VERY soon.

The Deli Trail was one of my favorite sections of the trail -if not for the great food and convenience, then for the amazing trail communities that circled the trail along it.

When I do come back, you’ll probably see me guzzling down a bucket of ice cream, or affectionately flipping through the pages of the AT 2024 yearbook at the Halfway Mark Museum – so don’t be shy, come and say hello!

I’ll see y’all on the trail.

Sherpa 🙂