Appalachian Trail to Observation Platform

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Hike a short piece of the 9 miles of AT that runs through High Point State Park and view the High Point Monument from the wooden observation platform.

For this route, there is no need to enter the park and pay the park admission fee. Park in the AT lot on Rt 23 for free.

Trailhead: AT parking loton Route 23, < 0.5 miles south of the Park Office. The Appalachian, Iris, and Mashipacong Trails are all accessible from here. From the lot, to travel northbound on the AT, follow the connector trail (blue) to the Iris Trail (red), turn right on the Iris Trail to reach the AT or the Park Office. Or make your way back to the road from the parking area and head .2 miles down Rt 23 toward the Park Office and cross the road to the AT trailhead northbound. To reach the wooden observation platform, you'll need to hike for 1.5 miles along the ridge.

The are two worthwhile views before reaching the observation platform. The trail rail is rocky, with uneven ground the entire distance with minor scrambling if any at all.

This route is out and back, approximately 3.5 miles.

Note: to continue to the Monument Trail, hike a short distance past the platform, where the AT intersects with the Monument Trail (red and green) and the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (medium blue). Continue straight rather than bearing right on the AT.

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The monument was built through the generosity of the Kusers, in honor of all war veterans. Construction started in 1928 and was completed in 1930. The structure is 220 feet high and from the top, there are views of the Pocono Mountains to the west, the Catskills to the north, and the Wallkill River Valley to the southeast.