The Horse-Shoe Trail runs 140 miles though PA woodland from
Valley Forge to Harrisburg. The trail crosses into Lancaster County
just northeast of Adamstown and reaches a peak on Adamstown Ridge
of over 1000 feet just behind my property.
I lived here 20 years and have only once walked the climbing
stretch from Adamstown Road at Rt 897 to the far east side near the
other Adamstown Road across two peaks. My wife, daughters and
neighbors use this trail and many others along this ridge to hike
and ride horses but we only have the occasional out-of-area hikers
come through since there is almost no parking in the area of the
trail heads. Since this section is not heavily used it can be
somewhat overgrown. If you are venturing beyond this cache be
prepared for a rough hike on a narrow path with some loose
rocks.
Parking for this cache is recommended at the below coordinates
for Stoudtsburg Village with a 3/10 mile walk along the roadside to
the trail head (be careful, there are no sidewalks). The trail head
(see waypoints) begins on a stone lane that follows the Horse-Shoe
Trail for about 1/4 mile. This lane crosses private property, as
much of the Horse-Shoe Trail does, so please be respectful. At the
end of the stone lane is a reference point (coords below). It is a
marker for the trail and is also pictured in this photo:
The Horse-Shoe Trail is marked on trees occasionally with
horseshoes or a wide stripe of yellow paint. Turns in the trail
have double stripes.