Pennsy's BFT ECT

“Six weeks away!”

“So what is the plan? Did any of you get the maps and plan the campsites? Those of us who are not hiking the whole trail want to shoehorn in on one or two of your campsites so we can meet everyone.”

“First - newcomers to this thread please revert to the 1st post to see that I am not an egomaniac. ;o)

Splash - So far my plan is to arrive Friday morning, April 26, around 9am. WHERE is another question but I guess somewhere on rt 44. Since M Silver and RichB plan to start where they left off last year, and since they know the trail and area well, I'd like to ask them to suggest the meeting spot.

I have a map from Pine Creek Outfitters and the way this trail is laid out, meeting up with everyone should not be a problem.

One thing is certain though..... Fritz is designated the official trip reporter. That also means he is required to do the entire trail.”

“We could start out at the forest headquarters up on Rt. 44. There seemed to be plenty of parking spots there.”

“There's parking area next to the road a near Slate Run too with plenty of spots. The trail then crosses Slate Run and climbs up into the Algerine Wild area. I'm not sure if there's a bridge across Slate Run anymore. The last one was in bad shape.”

“Well, Pennsy, a few of the climbs are pretty kick-a$$ so you want to try to do them early in your weekend when you are more fresh. So if you start out at the pulloff just south of the Pump Station parking lot, you can head east on the trail and do the Callahan Run climb and the Little Slate Run climb in one very strenuous day. The ridge above Little Slate Run has only a couple widely scattered tent sites and no water, but is very picturesque. For better camping, descend down into the Slide Run Hollow for a daily mileage of 13 difficult miles or so. From there you can hike to the end of the trail, and then up from mile 1 to mile 7 or 8 for Sat. camping with those of us who are starting out on Friday afternoon. Saturday would be another day of many miles. Then there is a good large camping site at mile 16 or 17 for Sunday night. Somewhere along the Sunday section is a rather deep creek crossing that needs a new bridge, unless it was rebuilt. We need to check on that. Then Monday hike back to the car (some very strong hikers might want to hike back to the car on Sunday from mile 7-8 camping). But if you have four days for hiking, this plan works pretty well with two difficult days and then two more leisurely days.”

“Sorry, RichB, I was getting kicked off as fast as I could type, so I didn't see your posts until afterwards.”

“No problem, you did a great job of figuring out the details. The reason I mentioned Slate Run was for the hikers that aren't doing the whole trail. Will they want to see a different part of the trail rather than Hemlock Mt. again? I don't know.”

“I'm planning Friday to Sunday, and am offering the following itinerary -- which is just a re-hash of what I posted on this thread several weeks back...

Friday (early afternoon): From the Pumphouse parking area just off Route 44, hike north on Manor Fork Road to pick up the BFT at mile 37.21 (where we left it last Fall). From there to the Foster Hollow Pond campsite it's only a few more miles. Set up camp early, and enjoy a leisurely remainder of the day. If there's enough time before dark, it might be worthwhile to take a short walk along the old BFT route on Old Mountain Trail to see if the wonderful vista there is still clear. If not, settle for listening to the Spring Peepers at the pond in the evening, and/or stargazing after dark (if the skies are clear). A campfire might also provide nice ambiance to get acquainted or re-aquainted with any others who wish to camp at Foster Hollow Pond on Friday night.
Friday Total Miles: c. 4

Saturday: Pack up and hike down to the Slate Run trailhead. (Perhaps meet some others there who will not have been able to make it for Friday night?) Then across Slate Run (I'll call about the crossing conditions). Then up and across the Algerine Wild Area. Then down into Slate Run again at mile 7.21 - 7.87. Set up camp there …or climb out of Slate Run to the top of Cherry Ridge and camp at mile 9.96 (where H2O can be less-reliable; but I'll scout it early on Friday before starting).
Saturday Total Miles: c. 10-13

Sunday: For those of us who need to head back on Sunday, it'll be at least 12 miles (albeit fairly easy going) back to the Pumphouse PA. But if we spot a car at one of the parking areas on Route 44 north of the Pumphouse, it'll shorten Sunday's trek, and we can get home at a decent time. Others who plan to finish the entire BFT would of course need to plan the rest of the itinerary on their own.
Sunday Total Miles: c. 6-12, depending on shuttle (if any)

I don't know, but will this plan accommodate those who intend to do the entire trail? …and/or those who cannot start until Saturday? If anyone has another itinerary in mind and/or other ideas, please post 'em.

My $.02 again.”

“Hey Pennsy peeps, I saw the strangest thing Sat while on the AT between rts 183 and 501. About a half mile off the trail, about a mile in, is a car wreck probably 20 years old. The boys in the BS troop could not figure out how it got there and thought we were going on a snipe hunt. Obviously the owner didn't drive it in, we're talking some rough boulder strewn, dried up creek bed. Anyone ever been to it. Totally unrelated to the thread, but what the heck; its late.”

“Hey Flyguy6x, we don't hear from you much these days. My tent camping guide doesn't have a listing for your favorite car camping campground north of Knoebels. Care to email me the phone number of the place? I know you gave me clues last year but I still haven't located it. LyndyS.”

“MSilver, I probably will do Friday night through Monday, but if things change then I'll do your Friday night through Sunday plan. I think that if everyone can at least camp together on Saturday night at mile 7 or 9, that would be nice.

I really love these backpacking trips to central PA. I just wish I lived closer. Those 3-4 hour drives are a bummer. I really need to infect a neighbor with the backpacking virus so that I have someone to share the driving.”

“What happened to that ego maniac ..... er ....... Pennsy Hiker. He hasn't posted what he wants to do with his hike.”

“Hey!!!! That was evil. ;-)

Work work work gets in the way amongst other things so I don't get to stop in here as much as I would like.

Anywho, I just pocketed another 2 cents from MSilver. I'm getting rich from him! But hey, it doesn't matter to me where we start since I am doing the whole loop. The Pump Station or the Main lot on 44 sound fine to me. Whatever is more convenient to those not doing the whole thing works for me.”

“I'm still in. Actually been doing a lot of work on the computer (for a change) which has cut into my surfing time. I'll meet up with y'all Friday evening and do the whole thing. M Silver, I printed out your itinerary and will put it together with my map.

On a sadder note, I left my hiking stick of 10 years somewhere on the trail I maintain. Put an ad in the paper for it with reward offered, but nothing's happened. Am in the process of making a new stick, but I'll miss the old guy. We had a lot of miles on a lot of trails that we shared.

See y'all in April. You guys in the area keep us posted on what to expect for weather. Sixty up here today, no snow on the ground, but that could all change overnight. We've been out fighting brush fires since January. What a bizarre winter.”

“Hey M. Silver, I'm impressed! You can do a lot with .02 cents. You might want to print that again for landsurfer, he probably reads like he posts! Sorry to hear about your hiking stick Steiny, I hope it turns up for you. My son bought me a crutch...I mean a trekking pole for Christmas and am anxious to try it out! Looking forward to the trip.”

“Hey Steiny: Glad that you'll be able to make the trip. Sorry about your hiking stick. I can relate... the one I had for many years was destroyed when I accidentally ran over it with my car. It was crushed and splintered beyond repair. (hey, this topic could make an interesting thread).

Finewhine: Always have some kinda wisecrack, donchya? BTW, you can keep the change from that $.02 ;-)”

“Sorry Steiny about your hiking stick. Maybe it will turn up. Are you saying that you will hike the whole trail starting on Friday night? Look at your map and let us know your plan. It will be good to see you again.

Pennsy, just teasing about the ego stuff. But the Pump Station is the Main Parking Lot on 44, as far as I know. About 1/2 mile south of there is a little parking ditch on the side of the road next to where the BFT crosses Rt. 44. Steiny parked there the last time, and the rest of us used the Pump Station lot, and hiked the 1/2 mile down to the trail. The other option was to park at the parking lot near the start of the trail in Slate Run, several miles east. But it sounds like everyone will start at or near the pump house.”

“Pennsy: With all that money you can pay off the loan you took out to get that digital camera. I might have a penny or two more forthcoming, so stay tuned.”

“Oh sure, and I'll have plenty of your money left over to grab one of those 600 F4 lenses, right?

Gee Splash, I thought you were dead serious about my ego.

I just checked the map and I like the idea of starting near the Pump Station. I'd be leaning towards parking in the actual lot rather than out on the road. From what I could see on the map, it looks like a 12 mile hike on Friday would take us down below the slide and near little slate run? I remember a great campsite near a small waterfall around mile marker 35.8.”

“Woops...... I forgot to enter the *snicker* after my dead serious ego remark.”

“This hike sounds like fun already.”

“I don't remember the small waterfall, but then that must be one that I didn't fall into.

There are a lot of campsites along both sides of Slide Run around mile 35.5. We had six people sprawled along one side for quite a distance. I think M.Silver saw a mother and two cubs while hiking out of the hollow last time. (Yes, I am fixated on bears). I just want to emphasize that those 12-13 miles involve two strenuous climbs, one seemed to go on for hours, so start early.”

“I remember that. He said he saw them on his way back to the parking area when he was coming up the trail from our campsite.”

“How far is this trail from Cleveland, OH?”

“It's about 5 hours of driving or 288 miles according to Mapquest. Will you be going on the hike?”

“I seen that bar 'n her too yung'ns 'bout a mahl beelow Manor Fork rode when youans was ahead o' me 'a comin up outta dat las' campsite dere.”

“Splash: That waterfall you didn't fall into was just upstream from our campsite. (Had you gone looking for firewood like the rest of us, you'd have seen it!) ;-) It was nothing spectacular - but nice -- and typical of the types of little delights you find in Penns Woods.”

“Splash: BTW, do you have an unexplainable compulsion to go back to that waterfall and take a dip? ;-)”

“Splash: ...and look for bears too? ;-)

Wow, four posts in a row for me -- a record.”

“M Silver, I hesitated all morning to interrupt your record-breaking string, but... ;-)

Buddha Bear, c'mon out, it'll be fun.

As for plans, I am vacillating between my trail-bagger instinct (I want to hike the whole thing) and my more laid-back side. Also I still don't know if I will have three days or four. So I'm just going to listen in as the rest of you decide what you're going to do, then I'll figure out what I want to do, eventually.

My son is re-considering this trip because he doesn't want to mess up his track season. I think that is a valid concern.”

“Fritz: This is your laid-back side asking... "What's the hurry?" Don't listen to that trail-bagger voice hidden behind the curtain.

(PS: "M Silver" is only a pseudonym used by me to get on this thread)”

“If the rattlesnakes are out we can look for them too. There's a den next to the trail above Slate Run where that old quarry used to be. I remember some good basking sites for them as the trail starts to level out at the top of the mountain. Watch your step up there if it's sunny out.”

“Lions, tigers and bears...oh my!”

“I'm a maybe... if I can get off work, if I have some $, and if nothing comes up. Three big ifs, but it sure is tempting.”

“finewhine: Ummm, I think that would be... trail-baggers and rattlers and bears, oh my!

Rich wants to look for rattlers? Oh my!

My brother saw one among the rocks at that same old stone quarry several years back. A couple of hours later, we stepped almost right over one curled up (asleep?) on the trail in the Algerine Wild Area. Next day we met an old timer on the trail up on Cherry Ridge ( no, not a snake) ...a retired forest ranger doing trail maintenance. It was about 95 degrees and he was wearing knee-high snake boots; told us he'd been bitten (or near-bitten) too many times to not wear 'em. On another BFT trip, I met some backpackers who told me they saw one near Foster Hollow Pond -- claimed it almost bit them - in the woodpile next to the cabin near the tent sites (maybe the owners put attack rattlers there to ward off would-be wood thrieves).

Hmmm, now that I think about it, I've seen (or heard about) more rattlers on the BFT than any other trail in PA. Anyone thinking about canceling? ;-\”

“I heard the BFT and Hammersely Wild area are two hot spots for rattlesnakes in PA. In April, they emerge from the den hungry and in the spring time usually stay close to the den until the nights are warm. So in spring where you see one there will likely be more around the same area.”

“Cool..... snakes!! I guess I have to bring the long lens too?

Fritz - I hope Ian can make it. I might need someone to draft behind again. Here's a potential game plan for doing the entire trail:

Start at rt44 near the Pump Station Fri morning around 9:30. Mile marker 23.61
Hike to campsite near Little Slate Run around mile marker 35.82.
First day: 12.2 miles

2nd day: hike to end of trail, mile marker 42.44, cross Slate Run Rd, and continue to campsites around milemarker 6.70.
2nd day: 13.4 miles (long day but I did not see any campsites before mile marker 6.7?)

3rd day: according to the map, there are plenty of campsites between milemarkers 13.7 and 16.5. Mileage can vary between 7 and 10 miles.

4th day: Hike to finish, mile marker 23.61. Mileage can vary between 7 and 10 miles depending on Sunday's mileage.

I think it's very doable, as long as we don't sleep in every morning. ;o) Days will be longer by then also.”

“Pennsy, Fritz, et al,

Your plan above looks good enough. But it seems that it'll place you about a half day's trek out of step with some of us having different preferences.

The last thing I want to do is step on anyone's hiking boots here, but I'm going to offer an alternate Friday-to-Monday itinerary for you and anyone else to consider who wants to do the entire BFT in those four days. My proposal will also allow those who already did the Callahan Run/Navel Run/Little Slate Run stretches last Fall to finish (or nearly finish) the rest of the BFT in 3 days without retracing those sections. Furthermore, it acclimates anyone who can't start until Saturday (for either a Sat-Sun overnighter, or a Sat-Mon version). It involves short car shuttles, and is accommodating enough for anyone who wants to trek 2, 3 or 4 days together as one big happy family :-) Here's the plan…

Just south of the village of Slate Run, there's a parking area on the west side of Pine Creek at the end of Navel Run Road. The Friday to Monday troupe can start there by doing a quick jog up along Navel Run for only about ¼ mile, to connect with the BFT at about mile 31.5, then head northward.

Friday: Navel Run parking area to Foster Hollow Pond (c. 9 miles). This stretch features a few relative ascents, including the notorious climb to the top of Gas Line Ridge, plus some glorious vistas that I expect you may want to stop and relish along the way. Later on Friday, you'll meet any 3-dayers (including myself) who start at the Pump House parking area (and/or perhaps elsewhere), at Foster Hollow Pond (mile 39.5) where there are two large campsites and an excellent, reliable spring.

Saturday:
Option 1: Foster Hollow Pond to Slate Run/Morris Run (c. 10.5 miles). I recall seeing some multi-tent camping areas at this location.
Option 2: Continue on to Chestnut Ridge (c. 13 miles total). I can check out the water situation beforehand at mile 9.96, where there's also a large camping area.
Anyone who can't start until Saturday can hook up with the rest of us at the Slate Run trailhead - or anywhere between there and the Slate Run/Morris Run confluence.

Sunday: Chestnut Ridge to ???. The going will be very easy from mile 9.96 to about mile 16, and we should all make good time along that stretch. Somewhere/sometime on Sunday, the Fri-Sun people (including myself) can bail out for the Pump House parking area and head back home (shuttle to Slate Run trailhead for anyone needing it). Those who continue on the trail can camp at any one of several spots between mile 21.5 and either side of Route 44, depending on how far you want to trek.

Monday: Final stretch to Navel Run Road parking area (shuttle as necessary, to Slate Run trailhead).

Barring any typos, that's it. I think this plan can work.

If anyone's interested, I can provide more details on what I know about campsites, water sources, trail conditions, steepnesses (is that a word?), vistas, etc., but that's about all for now. I hope the weather cooperates.

Got thoughts? …Post 'em.”

“Hey, the site's back on-line!!

Mr Silver...... step step step all over my toes. I like your plan much much better than mine. Wrap it up, I'll take it!”

“I called the Williamsport DCNR District Forestry Office earlier today and spoke with one of the rangers there about the BFT. He'd been hiking the trail recently, and this is what he told me regarding current conditions:

1. Just south of the BFT start, the Slate Run crossing will have a bridge constructed sometime this summer. Until then, Slate Run must be traversed by wading through about a foot of water (bring waders or plastic garbage bags, etc.). The only alternative would be to walk the road down into the village of Slate Run, then up Route 414 to the bridge at Hilborn, cross over Pine Creek there, then take the side trail up to meet the BFT at mile 1.16. (Personally, I don't like this alternative.)

2. The Navel Run crossing just below the climb up Gas Line Ridge is no problem.

3. The multiple stream crossings along County Line Branch are also not a problem.

4. The small streamlet at mile 9.96 is running, and full of water.

5. The campsites at the Morris Run/Slate Run junction have been closed and are posted, but there are some good alternatives about a quarter mile down Slate Run, or just up Red Run.

6. The parking area at the end of Navel Run Road is small, and can hold only 3 or 4 cars, but you can also park in any one of several pull-offs along Navel Run Road just before the parking area (but do not to park where the road passes through private land).”

“Thanks MSilver for making that call. You sure we can't just build a temporary bridge of blowdown logs across the Slate Run rather than using plastic bags or waders? No, maybe that isn't such a good idea....(:-(
Slate Run is pretty wide, isn't it? I was thinking that using my sandals with plastic bags over my socks would result in less chance of the bags puncturing and less chance of slipping. Of course the waders would be better if the run was a lot deeper.”

“Thanks for making the call! Good information.

I remember that stream crossing when I did a section in January. It was less than a mile from the start of the trail if I remember. No way I was walking through that water in Jan! I just did an about face and went the other way.

It reminded me of the Logger's Path stream crossing. Of course I was doing the loop so I had no choice but to trudge through it. Brrrrrr...

I'm going shopping for some slipper type wet shoes/booties soon. We could always share when we get to the crossing, as long someone has a good enough arm to toss them to the other side. Or, we could just make a human bridge and let Splash walk across our backs. ;o)”

“awww Splash - live up to your name - just splash across (grin)

on the other hand Wiggy's has a pair of light weight waders just for this purpose - see Light Weight Waders its about half way down the page

note ulterior motive - I want someone to buy these and to do a gear review”

“lol reading about crossing the stream reminds me of my first winter trek at Dolly Sods, WV.

Snow was everywhere and Red Creek was "W I D E" and no way to cross without getting our feet wet. My friend Matt had an extra pair of boots, so he donned them and headed across. The whole way across he was yelling about how cold the water was.

Well, as wide as Red Creek is, Matt tried to swing and throw the boots back across...without success. I ended up having to scrounge a loooong stick and then trying to fish the boots from the water before they got too far downstream. I finally did get them.

I took off my boots and socks and slipped my feet into the wet and almost frozen boots and headed across the creek. My feet hurt so bad before even getting halfway across, and by the time i made it to the other side I couldn't feel my feet anymore, but was shivering something fierce. It took me what seemed like 2 seconds to dry my feet and slip my dry boots on. WOW, was that water cold.”

“Slate Run is wide at the point where the suspension bridge was. Depending on how much rain falls between now and then it could be a foot high or more than that. I have a picture of this section of stream so if I dig it out I'll post it on my picture trail site. I think it's a good place to cross with feather waders under aqua shoes or using the plastic bag trick with boots and or aqua shoes. Two safe, dry methods. I brought plastic bags to use on the Loyalsock trail last week and could have been across in less than a minute high and dry. I tried to cross on logs and broke my arm so I have 6 weeks to think about that blunder. Luckily, I was hiking with Msilver and Splash and they used better judgement than me. They talked me out of staying the night, wouldn't leave me to the buzzards out there and helped me get home in one piece. Two of the best people you'll ever hike with.
I hope now I can heal up fast enough to still make the BFT hike. I'd like to make it, but in what capacity, I'll just have to wait and see as it gets closer.”

“What a nice guy! He didn't even mention that it was MSilver and me who decided to be Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, and build a lopsided bridge. It is a shame that Rich was hurt in the process.”

“Sorry to hear of your mishap...you get a Purple Heart, ya know!”

“HOI, RichB has waders like those, but I don't think he paid that much for them. He said that they are only 8 oz. for the pair. Try the fishing department of an outdoor store. I'll see if they have them at Ramsey's near me, half the store is devoted to fishing and hunting. He had them with him for a dayhike, but the creek that we wanted to cross was 4 feet deep and rushing, and I was chicken, so we didn't try it.”

“Here, Pennsy:

\>==~~o>==~~o>==~~o/
sSSsSSsSSsSSsSSsSs

thanks for the bridge, guys!”