central PA trail maps

“Do any of you fellow Pennsylvania people know a source for good trail maps in central PA? Specific areas would include the Black Forest Trail, West Rim, Chuck Keiper, and the Old Loggers Path (where I think I am heading this weekend). Thankee much!”

“Look for "50 Hikes In Central Pennsylvania" by Miles Copperthwait.

Oops...that's Tom Thwaites, I mean.”

“Thanks Buddur. I have that book and it looks great for day hiking but kind of limited as far as backpacking. It does have a basic map of the 27 mile OLP which is one of the reasons I am going there. I'd like to see some full maps of the other trails and the link you gave me may help, perhaps from the KTA. Thanks!”

“Pennsy, I purchased some good maps and guidebooks on the West Rim Trail and Black Forest Trail from Pine Creek Outfitters at Pinecrk.com. The guidebooks are useful to plan camping and water, but while on the trail, we really only used the maps, which were pretty detailed.”

“Thanks Splash, that is just what I am looking for. I'm calling them right now. :-)”

“contact the respective state forest where the trail is located for free, fairly decent maps.
OLP is located in the tiadaghton state forest. sorry, i don't have phone #s w/ me now. views from sullivan mtn and sharp top are excellent; rock run is in a class by itself.”

“You can get topos of Tiadaghton and Wyoming Forests from the World's End Park Office. Call first! Rumor has it they are closing the park for renovations. (kinda like a dump being closed for Thanksgiving!)

Wear your BLAZE ORANGE”

“As noted, each of the state forests has a good free overview map that shows the trails and access roads. Be aware that some of the side trails don't actually exist on the ground any more, so you may not be able to make some of the loops that look so good on paper. They aren't updated very often. Also, the scale is quite large, so be careful in planning hikes as distances are farther than they appear on the map. Several of the trails have good trail maps (well pretty good, if you don't mind the green lines that don't differentiate between topo line and road.) The Quehanna, Donut Hole and Chuck Keiper trails have those kind of maps. Since those trails have been relocated several times in the last few years, get the latest version, (and keep an eye on the blazes.) You can get the green on yellow maps free from the State Forest offices. Those trails with official trail guides (i.e. Black Forest and Mid State) generally have their own maps. Have you checked out the KTA website? They might have some of them available, or at least phone numbers to the state forest offices.”

“As usual, this group has not let me down. I ordered some maps from Pine Creek. I had to call Tiadaghton anyway for a camp permit and they are sending me an OLP map. Also, I got some numbers from the KTA site to call for other maps.

Now I just have to get my butt out there! Thanks!!!

ps... oh yeah, we be blazin in orange to ward off all those Elmer Fudds.”

“Remember, next Fri and Sat. is still deer season so be careful out there. There's a lot of hunters out here in Northeast PA. and I'm going to wait until the season is over before going into the woods.”

“I hiked the Old Loggers Path this past Sat and Sun. Wow, this is one super 27 mile loop! Starting in a ghost town was a tad eerie but pretty cool just the same. The trail was very wet from the recent rain, but gaitors and gortex kept my feet dry, even through the almost knee deep bridgeless Pleasant Stream.

The views were great but I was really impressed with all the streams, cascades and waterfalls. There are several excellent places to camp and I setup right near a double waterfall at Doe Run. Jmitch, you are spot on about Rock Run and I plan to return there next year when the color is good with full camera gear.

Thanks again to everyone for the central Pa info and I look forward to doing lots more hiking in this part of the state.”

“Thanks for the trip report, Pennsy. I really want to hike that trail sometime next year. RichB and Buddur were very excited about their hike there last year.”

“Sounds like a TT hike in the making. I definately want to go back, especially when there is some color, more day light, and with a few people would be better yet.”

“Sounded like you had a great trip. I can't wait to go back there too. I hope to get out in the next few weeks, but haven't decided where to go yet.”

“I just put a panaramic photo of one of the OLP's vistas on my wall. Beautiful trail. Gonna do it clockwise the next time, during a full-moon weekend, and camp at the vista where I took that photo.”

“Pennsy Hiker,

if you're that excited about rock run, go downstream, it only gets better. there are impressive pools, waterfalls, chutes and cascades below yellow dog road bridge. i scrambled up most of the stream in august. there are three major pools and falls, they are incredible. the run has carved potholes and narrow chasms. also, hike up miners run trail- lots of waterfalls with massive boulders, very rugged. PA is awesome.”

“I heard that the largest bear shot a few weeks ago during the hunting season was killed out near the OLP. It weighed 666 pounds!”

“Holy snikeys! No wonder I only saw 2 people the entire weekend. That overfed Yogi must have gotten a bad case of hiker munchies!

Thanks for that extra bit of Rock Run info jmitch. I think it has my name on it. I love that kind of stuff.”

“Another bear out in the Poconos weighed in at 568 pounds.”