Appalachian Trail: Along Blue Mountain Ridge

On this 10-mile rock hop along the Blue Mountain ridge, history-minded hikers walk a path blazed by Native Americans, interpreters, missionaries, and soldiers. The focal point is Pilger Ruh (Pilgrim's Rest) spring. Located on a route from Philadelphia to the Native American capital of Shamokin (now Sunbury) on the Susquehanna River north of Harrisburg, the spring was a must stop for travelers over the Appalachian ridges. It was visited by Chief Shikellimy of the Iroquois Federation; the Moravian missionary Count Zinzendorff, who settled Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1740; and Conrad Weiser, an interpreter who grew up among the Mohawks, learned their language and customs, and became a trusted and influential intermediary between several Iroquois chiefs and descendants of William Penn. Natural history feature: Round Head. Social history features: Pilger Ruh; Fort Dietrich Snyder.