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Pole Steeple is a part of the very large South Mountain Group located within Pine Grove Furnace State Park and just west of Gettysburg. This tiny summit offers one of the most rewarding views for the short but steep hike required to gain its summit. Though not very high, Pole Steeple provides an excellent viewpoint for the central part of the South Mountain Massif. Looking southwest you can see Sunset Rocks on Little Rocky Ridge. In the valley, nearly five hundred feet below, lies Laurel Lake with its sandy beaches and dam. Also, to the west you can see the central ridge of South Mountain as it reaches heights of just over two-thousand feet.

In its formation, this summit along with the rest of South Mountain was created during the collision of the last Pangaea as North America slammed into the continent of Africa. Made up of a beautiful white and maroon colored quartzite, Pole Steeple has a similar geologic composition to that of The Pinnacle. In fact the only real difference between the two is that The Pinnacle's cliff face is nearly twice as high as that of Pole Steeple.

The Pole Steeple Trail is the main trail used to reach the top, but there is also a longer trail which heads out around the cliffs to the south side. This trail is for those who can't handle the short rock scramble up the Steeple Colouir. The one good thing about this is that Pole Steeple is made accessible to everyone by this trail. Also, there is a link trail between Pole Steeple Trail and the Appalachian Trail. If the three quarter mile trail that leads to the top is not enough, there are plenty of other trails in the area that are sure to satisfy your needs. Sunset Rocks and Rocky Knob are two of the better places in the area.

Directions: The park is easily reached from I-81. Visitors should take Exit 37 to PA 233 south then travel for 8 miles.