A thru-hiker's diary entry from late October offers a vivid snapshot of one of the Appalachian Trail's most underrated stretches: the walk from New York into the northwestern corner of New Jersey. Starting near Route 17A just after sunrise, the writer logged nearly 29 miles in a single day, crossing the state line, topping out on Pochuck Mountain, and camping near a viewpoint for the evening light show.
The terrain came with warnings worth heeding. The ridgeline south of the border is laced with smooth, undulating rock that turns treacherous when buried in autumn leaves, the writer's trail runners offering all the grip of skis. A tender ankle took a second twist on the descents. Anyone hiking this section in October should expect slick footing and pack footwear with aggressive tread.
Two highlights stand out for day-hikers planning their own trips. The first is the Pinwheels vista, reached by a short blue-blazed spur, where you can gaze across to a stone tower marking New Jersey's high point, which the AT itself passes close by. The second gives this entry its title: the Stairway to Heaven, a steep, rocky climb fitted with hand-built steps. It's a favourite with local day hikers and, in leaf season, the crowds help keep the steps clear, though conditions stay slippery. Just beyond, the trail flattens into a long marsh crossing on boardwalk, with reeds stretching out on either side, before climbing over Pochuck Mountain. Near its summit, a rocky outcrop delivers a wide western view, and there's enough flat ground to pitch a tent, as the writer did after a failed, cloud-thwarted sunset mission. One useful practical detail: a resident near Carnegie Road lets hikers refill water bottles at their house, a lifeline in this otherwise quiet stretch.
For travellers, this is a reminder that the AT's mid-Atlantic sections reward effort even without big-name destinations like the Whites or Shenandoah. Autumn is arguably the best window, when the foliage peaks and day-hiking is comfortable, but the trade-off is short daylight and leaves hiding every rock and root. The route is reachable as a weekend outing from the New York metro area, with planes overhead on the approach path to the city's airports, and Greenwood Lake glittering to the east from the ridge. Hikers should carry water, plan around sunset times, and treat descents with respect. Story filed by The Trek.
