This is a challenging hike with many worthwhile intermediate stops. The challenge of this hike is keeping to a schedule, since Scouts will want to stop often to take pictures and enjoy the natural beauty. The trail includes the cable cut, Copperhead Spring, Catfish Mountain Fire Tower, Catfish Pond, and Rattlesnake Swamp (the trail doesn’t go through the swamp, it merely skirts the edge on dry ground).

The trail begins at Sand Pond Lodge (0.0 miles), where the blue trail follows the road through
a small clearing and then into the woods. After 0.2 miles, the trail forks and the blue trail goes right, ascending. Shortly after the ascent begins, you may notice trees with orange rings of paint. This is the camp boundary. You are now entering the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The trail levels out, and then reaches a trail junction with the blue-and-white trail at 0.4 miles. Follow the blue trail (right) where you enter an area of large boulders. The trail follows an old cable up the path of least resistance as the trail clambers up the big rocks and up the face of the mountain. About halfway up the mountain, a large boulderfield to the left offers good views to the southwest.

As the trail continues climbing, the trail exits the woods and enters the cleared area for the powerlines. Shortly afterwards is a short scramble to the top of the mountain at 0.6 miles. The top of the mountain is marked by the high tension tower, and is a great place for a break (but don’t stay too long- the fire tower awaits). The best views are back toward the camp, where more than half of Sand Pond is visible. In the opposite direction, the pond at the Watergate Recreation Area is visible.

The trail continues down the other side of the mountain, following white blazes on the exposed rock. The trail curves left into the woods, and follows an old road between two knolls. Continuing to the left, the trail approaches the beaver dam pond at Copperhead Spring. Following the edge of the pond, you reach a trail junction with the blue-and-white trail to the left (1.0 miles). Continue on the Appalachian Trail to the right, crossing a wooden bridge.

The trail continues until reaching Millbrook-Blairstown Road at 1.4 miles. Turn left onto this paved road and follow for a short stretch until the Appalachian Trail turns right and enters the woods on a gravel road at a gate. This gravel road and the Appalachian Trail both lead to the fire tower, however, the Appalachian Trail takes a more direct route. Follow the white trail markers to the fire tower at 2.4 miles. The fire tower is staffed only during fire season (autumn and early spring) or during other times when risk of fire is high. At all other times the cab at the top of the tower is locked. Views can be had at the base of the tower, with slightly better views from the steps leading to the top of the tower. The clearing at the base of the tower is a great place for a break or a picnic. The views to the east showcase the farms and forests of Warren County, while views to the west show off the great forests of Pennsylvania. Please remember that you are an ambassador of the camp and your community, and leave this site better than how you found it.

Continue on the Appalachian Trail along the top of the ridge until you reach a junction with an orange trail (3.4 miles). Follow the orange trail to the right. The orange trail descends the mountain until it reaches a grassy old road on the left at 3.7 miles. Follow this unmarked road into Camp Mohican. This was a Boy Scout camp (Camp Mohican, Robert Treat Council), now owned by the federal government and leased to the Appalachian Mountain Club. It is infrequently used, but troops should still visit the office (if open) to check in. Catfish Pond is a picturesque lake (reached at 4.0 miles). Swimmers should adhere to the 8-point safe swim defense.

Upon departing Camp Mohican, follow the same unmarked path back to the orange trail (4.3 miles). Turn left onto the orange trail, and begin a gently descent to the stream that is the inlet to Catfish Pond. The orange trail continues and eventually enters and area with a large amount of rhododendrons. At times, the rhododendrons will create a canopy over the trail. The trail continues with Rattlesnake Swamp to your left. The orange trail ends at a dirt road (this is the same dirt road which went to Catfish Mountain Fire Tower) at 6.0 miles. Turn left onto the dirt road.

After a short distance, the Appalachian Trail joins this dirt road. Follow both to a gate at the paved Millbrook-Blairstown Road (6.6 miles). Turn left onto the paved road for a short distance and turn right where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road. Follow the Appalachian Trail to Copperhead Spring. At the trail junction with the blue-and-white trail (7.0 miles), go straight. The blue-and-white trail gently descends the mountain, at times between enormous boulders. After passing a huge flat rock (another great place for a rest or picnic at 7.3 miles), the trail levels out, and follows the foot of the mountain back to the junction with the blue trail at 7.5 miles. Turn right onto the blue trail and follow back to Sand Pond Lodge (7.9 miles).