PA Monterey Pass Battlefield: Stop the Wagons!

Monterey Pass Battlefield Park is a hidden gem in Washington Township near Michaux State Forest.  On Amos' first long walk since getting the all clear from the vet for a return to the trails, this 3 mile circuit was perfect for him. Walking through snow showers along the undulating trails through this South Mountain landscape on New Year's Day served as our First Day Hike 2024.

Maria Furnace Road / Great Wagon Road / Warrior's Path

The Battle of Monterey Pass is well documented on the many interpretive signs along the trails and even though the little museum was closed today, I felt I really informed about what happened here. As Confederate General Lee withdrew from Gettysburg, his wagon trains took the Old Philadelphia Wagon Road towards South Mountain then down the Maria Furnace Road in their attempt to escape to Virginia unscathed. Union troops met them here, however, and a fierce, close battle ensued as the wagon train was stopped and heavily damaged with over 1,300 prisoners taken. 

It all happened on the darkest of nights in the midst of a severe thunderstorm. Canon and muskets flashes along with bright streaks of lightening lit the narrow pass until battle strategies were rendered useless and both sides resorted to hand-to-hand combat. The Confederate wagon train, nearly twenty miles long and moving at a snail's pace suffered heavily with the complete loss of 90 wagons along a seven-mile stretch of the train. With snow swirling around and the woods deeply quiet, our hike slowed to an introspective pace. 

Wagon wheel "tire" strap

Slopes of jagged quartzite defined the battlefield for its many flanking attempts that cost the Union seventy-five soldiers. After hours of violent clashing, Union troops withdrew to the village of Ringold to care for its wounded, forcing a regroup that allowed the Confederate time to reform and move on. In the days that followed, Confederate wagons continued to rumble through the pass, secured by Confederate sharpshooters. Civil War historians mark this battle as one of the most confusing of the whole war, made worse by the storm and pitch-black night and the sheer exhaustion of both armies coming from three days of heavy fighting at Gettysburg.

Hand-to-hand combat took place on both sides of the pass

The main gravel trail heads uphill to a well-built overlook platform where I could look across the South Mountain complex and watch the snow squalls roll through. In better weather, and when the museum is open, there are golf carts available for those who need assistance to climb the steep grade to the peak. Today there were few people out - a family and two solo hikers - that I felt I had the whole place to myself, especially the connecting trails that branch off and loop around on old roads that connect to the Marie Furnace Road. 

South Mountain Complex

Monterey Peak

Journal page for First Day Hike

Heading back down the mountain along the wooded and silent Marie Furnace Road I met up with one of the solo hikers who was lapping me on the loop. We stopped in the snow and chatted a little bit before he introduced himself as a local veterinarian and he gave Amos a close inspection. Amos was all too happy to wiggle his way through a pat down. "Fine looking hound," he smiled. "Strong, all muscle, happy! I'm sure he'll be around for a long time to come." With that, Amos let out of his signature ear-splitting coonhound hollers surely heard all the way to Virginia. "Happy New Year!" said the Doc, "And many more to come, ole' boy!"

 

Main trail to the summit

Notes:

The Battle of Monterey Pass https://montereypassbattlefield.org/about/

Monterey Pass Battlefield Park, Washington Township, PA (off Rt 116)