Pennsy's BFT ECT

“Pennsy: Weather allowing, I'm definitely coming.

landsurfer: I'll have my digital camera with me, Pennsy will have his, and maybe a few others will also have cameras. So collectively, we'll probably get more than enough images from the trip. I'll post mine on my Webshots page sometime during the week after the trip, and you can download any you like from there. If you have any special request shots while on the trip, I'll be happy to take 'em for you with my camera, then send 'em to you later via email. My Webshots address is: http://community.webshots.com/user/m_silver
and my PictureTrails addy is:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=m_silver
(sorry, I don't know how to do the direct link thingie) Bookmark these URLs and if you like, check out my other trip pics posted there.

BTW, I'm a jr-sr high school Art teacher.

jerbear: Hope you can join us.”

“Finally tested my Wiggy's lightweight waders the other day. First the good news, then the bad...

The rubberized bottoms held to the smooth slippery rocks very well, though the possiblility of some sliding is still a danger if one is not careful. Went in just up over my knees, and I was pleased at how well they insulated my ankles and legs against the cold water. But after about 3-4 minutes, I felt the cold water soaking into my socks. Immediately got out, took 'em off and poured out a small amount of water that got inside either through the fabric or seams. Called Wiggy's, and was told that they got a bad batch of fabric and were correcting the problem with a superior, even lighter weight material. He told me to return 'em for an exchange or refund. I said I needed waders for next weekend, so he's sending the new, improved pair to me immediately while I return the defective ones. I'll test the new pair out as soon as I get 'em and then report accordingly.”

“I probably got the same batch of Wiggy's cuz mine do the same thing. I'll call them after the trip. Even if they leak a bit, they'll get me across the stream without getting soaked.

Jerbear and anyone else new to this thread - if you scroll through the messages, you'll see some links about the Black Forest Trail as well as MSilver's excellent itinerarys.

Some of us, myself included, are doing the entire 42 mile loop and meeting at the end of Naval Run Road on Fri around 9am. Naval Run Rd is a left turn immediately after crossing Pine Creek in Slate Run off route 414. From there, we'll pick up the BFT around mile marker 31.5 and head north.

Our first day's mileage will be about 9 miles (including some big hills) and end at Foster Hollow Pond. Others (RichB, MSilver, Steiny), will be starting Friday afternoon at the Pump House on rt 44. They'll hit the BFT around the 37 mile marker and meet us at Frog Hollow.

Hopefully, we'll all be together Friday night. My questions are:

Who's starting at Naval Run Rd Fri AM to do the entire loop? Is a 9-9:30 start time ok?

RichB, MSilver, Steiny and others who are starting on rte 44: Will you be ending where we start near Naval Run Rd and do you need shuttling?

Rich - I am thrilled your arm is healing and that you can make the trip. This should be a good trip, especially if we can "trust" the long range weather report.

The more the merrier. I hope you can make it Jerbear. Whewwww.... that post was way to long. I need an adult beverage. ;-)”

“Pennsy and M Silver,
My camera arrived at the nikon service center on Wed. morning. I called that afternoon and it had already been assigned a Job number.
When I told the tech about the hike , she said she would put a rush on it and have it shipped next day air when it's repaired.
So there's a chance I will have it in time. I will keep you guys posted.
There is no doubt in my mind that I will want to own some of the pics you pro guys shoot on the hike, and I will be glad to share any I take that you might want.”

“Hey gang, went thru the post and only found one link and it would not let me open it???
Questions: Can you have camp fires? WATER sources, ample? What all this about crossing a stream or river, whats the deal. On sunday I need to make a phone call. I have a cell, would we be passing anywhere that there would be a phone? UNEMPLOYMENT! Most likly I would be commin into the area as early as wed 24th or thurs 25th. RATTLESNAKES oh boy, cant wait! LOL Jerbear@backpacker.com”

“jerbear, yes you can have campfires. Cellphone may not work. Re water sources: how well do you swim?”

“Jerbear, you are on my "must meet" list, so you need to come on this trip. ;-)”

“Another question? Are we required to stay at desegnated camps? I must have access to a phone on Sunday! Any ideas?
Fritz One of my reasons of commin is to meet all of ya! Yahooo!”

“hope you all have fun, i hiked the BFT about 3 years ago, very fine trail. slate run is very beautiful. some awesome views of slate run's gorge from exposed ledges, before you descend red run, tough descent though. tough trail. supposed to be a beautiful pool and cascade where manor run joins slate run. 20 foot waterfall on naval run. enjoy.

i'll be doing trail care this weekend along the link trail, can't wait.”

“Jerbear, in PA State Forests (BFT is in one) you can backpack and camp anywhere that is not posted due to being a Natural Area or private land. You are supposed to be a certain amount of feet off the trail and away from streams. Usually we stay at established sites with campfire rings. But you can camp elsewhere also. There are few manmade restrictions. Finding flat open sites big enough for a small tent near a stream is not always easy, which is why the established areas are nice. High and dry sites are nice, but you have to carry all of your water there. The top of Hemlock Mountain was like that, and had a great vista.

About the phone, there is a Black Forest Inn that the trail skirts the land of. Maybe you can use a phone there on Sunday. I haven't hiked that section, so I don't know. M.Silver can probably answer you if you can wait until this evening.”

“Thanks, LyndyS. I guess I can always bail out on Sun and find a phone. But I have faith. Till then!”

“There is a phone at the Manor Hotel and Black Forest Inn not too far from the Trail.”

“There is a phone at the Slate Run tackle shop across Pine Creek too. I tried my cell phone from Rt. 44 last time and couldn't get service, but on the West Rim trail there was service so maybe on the northern part of the trail it may work.”

“I would like to complete the hike so ifin I can get to a phone on the 28th. To report in for my unemployment, that will make me a happy camper.
What all this hype about river crossing? Do we need to bring a float mat and rope? Hell, I will just strip down and swim across.
I have done many river crossings. Especially in the winds. at the narrows.3 feet deep and colllllllld! Am I missing somthing. Wish I had a map. BUt I can not even find the state forest on a state map. I have located slate run and sr 44. WHat would this map be called Black forest trail?”

“jerbear: A few years ago, a friend of mine was surprised to get cell phone service from the higher elevations of the Chuck Keiper Trail, which is not too far from where we'll be. So I don't know, but maybe you'll be able to connect from the ridgetops along the BFT(?).

Some of us will be bailing out on Sunday to our vehicles parked at (or near) the Pump House parking area on Route 44 which is just a couple miles south of the Black Forest Inn. From there, somebody could shuttle you to the Inn to use the phone, and then back to continue your trip. I don't know if the phone is inside the building or outside (does anyone know?). If you find this suggestion feasable, maybe you should call the Black Forest Inn just to be sure that phone will be available on Sunday.

About stream crossings... There'll be two of them over Slate Run (no bridges), and we won't know how deep the water is until we get there. Unless you're willing to get wet, or brave the icy waters another way, some kind of waterproofing for your lower extremities will be in order. A pair of heavy-duty plastic garbage bags (or some similar improvisation) may be all that's needed. Some of us are bringing lightweight waders”

“Can I ride on someones sholders! LOL. MAP wonder if some one could fax me sections? Or will I be able to purchase one, once in PA.”

“jerbear: You need to get a free copy of the Pennsylvania Recreational Guide and Highway Map (call 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday). This map is also often available at visitor centers and rest areas along interstate highways in PA. You can also call PA Bureau of Forestry (717-783-7941) and ask for a free copy of the Tiadaghton State Forest Public Use Map, which shows the Black Forest Trail in much better detail. Also call your local hiking/camping gear stores to see if they have the BFT Map & Trail Guide (about $10). You can also go to TopoZone (http://www.topozone.com/) and do a place name search on Slate Run (in Lycoming County). Additionally, check out:
http://www.kta-hike.org/ktamap.htm
http://www.kta-hike.org/black.htm

-- my $.02.”

“Tnx-msilver”

“Pennsy: My probable plan is to start at the Pine Bog Trail/Blackberry Trail parking area on Route 44 (just north of the Pump House parking area). From there I'll head east to pick up the BFT at about mile 37.5 and then on to Foster Hollow Pond. On Sunday, I'll end my trip at the same place I will have started the previous Friday. I won't need a shuttle.”

“(from my really bad memory)
I got a recent map / trail guide for the bft and there is a no camping/ no open fires zone in effect from about mile 0? to mile 8?... this area apparently was burned not too long ago and the fire danger is considered too high. also a permit is required for slate run valley areas.

camping near the official trail head(permit needed) is not recommended due to heavy usage.”

“Yes, DOM, there is no camping between mile 0 and mile 8. Then there are several camping areas just past mile 8. The no camping section is a protected and posted area, the Algerine Wild Area.

One place to get maps is the www.pinecrk.com which is Chuck Dillon's Pine Creek Outfitter store in Ansonia along Route 6 near the start of the West Rim Trail. Jerbear, If you are coming in on I-80, go to Rt 220 east and pick up Rt.44 North. There is a Forest Service Office at the corner of Rt.44 and Rt. 414. a little north of Waterville. In Waterville, on the left is a General Store/Gas Station with nice bathrooms inside, coffee, sandwiches and maybe useful maps. They had tons of brochures for free, but the maps were not detailed enough. They may have maps for sale though that are more detailed. If not, maybe the Forest Service center will have something.”

“Slate Run Tackle Shop used to sell BFT Trail guides and maps. That's where I bought mine. Maybe they still do so you can always give them a call.”

“There's no camping allowed in the Algerine Wild Area -- true. But I spoke with a PA State Forestry ranger a couple of weeks ago who told me that camping is allowed at several sites along Red Run (these sites are before mile 8). He also told me that the over-abused sites around mile 7 are now posted, but that there's a location just south of the trail there on an old railroad bed where camping is allowed.”

“Pennsy, I plan on meeting at the Naval Run parking area Friday by 8:30 am to meet up with you and to meet up with Landsurfer(9:00-9:30 start is fine by us). He and his son are going up Thursday and will be camping where the BFT crosses Naval run. They will meet us at the parking area to get some supplies he doesn't want to carry the first day. We were up today to check out parking for his car (sounds like the same spot as M.Silver) and to check out the naval run connection to the parking area. Jerbear, there is an outside pay phone at the Black Forest Inn just above the blackberry trail head. We checked out the slate run stream crossing today and you definitely need waiters, garbage bags or swimtrunks and barefeet to wade across. The water is about 1-1/2 foot deep in spots and is flowing pretty well. Looks like when you waid across the water will come to above your knees at times due to the flow. Landsurfer took pics to post if he can figure out how to do it. Looking forward to meeting up with everyone!”

“I will be up in the area thurs,also. Are you stayin at a campground, Thurs?
However, I am keepin my eye on da weather.
1.5 feet of water should not be that bad. Depends on how swift,eh.”

“At this point the forecast is looking like showers for Sat. and Sun. I didn't see anything that you could consider heavy rain and it's still 4 days from now.”

“Here is the weather.com link for Slate Run.

Unless the forecast changes to 4 days of rain, I'll be on Naval Run Rd Fri morn at 9am.

Fritz - you gonna be there?
Lyndy, what are your plans?”

“BTW - any bear/critter problems up there?”

“I am prayin for a miracle, weatherwise. Any one else drivin 450 miles to this hike?”

“jerbear, usually the forecast changes from partly cloudy to showers, so since they are already predicting showers, you have a good chance of having sunny skies.

Bears are pretty shy around humans on the BFT. I hang my food, but a lot of other people don't. There are a lot of porcupines, coyotes and mice. Nothing that causes any big problems.

I hope the weather is nice, becuase with the leaves coming out, it should be really pretty.

I am having some last minute conflicts, so I may go and I may not go. If I go, I will probably only be camping on Sat. night only. If the stars all align, I may even have my daughter with me (yeah, wishful thinking, I know).”

“thanks for the bear info... you forgot to mention snakes :P
wish i could join you but i have to work on the weekends.plan to go may 20 on my vacation..”

“~”

“See, the weather forecast is starting to look better already. Beautiful on Friday, showers possible on Sat eve, and showers possible on Sunday. Temps look moderate, highs 50-60, lows around 40.”

“I know, As it stands as of right now I will be leavin in the am and arrivin TH pm,Meetin up at, now "where in the hell are my notes as the bear grumbles to himself" Which parkin lot? Naval run.Yo bear!”

“Ok, whos in!”

“HERE!!”

“Weather's looking fairly decent, so I'll see youans at Foster Hollow Pond sometime late Friday.

BTW, if anyone gets there before I do, note that once you reach the top of the BFT climb coming up out of Foster Hollow, the best campsite is on the right (west) side of the small pond. The spring is farther along the trail - the cabin.

Lyndy, I hope you can still make it -- at least for an overnighter. If you do come, will you meet us at Slate Run on Saturday morning? Please let us know.

WIGGY'S WADERS UPDATE: Today I tried the new pair they sent me (identical to the first) to replace the leaky ones I initially received. For the test I used the same stream I did last time, for the same amount of time, to the same depth (over the knees). When I got back to shore, my shoes, socks and pants were completely dry. Not a drop of water got inside!”

“Jerbear - 450 miles is quite a trek. I'm glad you'll be able to make it. For me, it's "only" 180 miles.

To the best of my knowledge the definates are:

Friday AM start:
Pennsy
Finewhine
Landsurfer
Jerbear

Friday PM start:
RichB
M_Silver
Steiny

Fritz was undecided about doing 3 or 4 days. Oh Fritzy?? You'd better come.. you started this dang thread! ;O)

Hopefully you'll be able to join us Lyndy. With the nice stream crossings, perhaps "Splash" will be resurrected.

Anybody else??”

“Hey Pensey Hows about a phone number. Send to jerbear@backpacker.com”

“Weather's looking fairly decent, so I'll see youans at Foster Hollow Pond sometime late Friday.

BTW, if anyone gets there before I do, once you reach the top of the ascent out of Foster Hollow, the best campsite is on the right (west) side of the small pond. The spring is just a little farther along as you approach the cabin.

Lyndy, I hope you can still make it -- at least for an overnighter. If you do come, will you meet us at Slate Run on Saturday morning? Please let us know.

WIGGY'S WADERS UPDATE: Today I tried the new pair they sent me (identical to the first) to replace the leaky ones I initially received. For the test I used the same stream I did last time, for the same amount of time, to the same depth (just above the knees). When I got back to shore, my shoes, socks and pants were completely dry. Not a drop of water got inside!”

“How did that post twice?
How did that post twice?
;-)”

“Wow - how'd you do that Mr Silver? I've seen posts duped before but not with 2 different posts in between. Gremlins?

Thanks for the Wiggy's report - I'll have to send mine back after the trip.

Jerbear - email on the way.”

“Hey you guys, I'm trying to manage my personal life here to get out on this dang trip. Don't worry if you don't see me. Right now I am hoping to drive out Friday and get there late, sleep in my car, and then start out in the AM. Or I will leave early Sat and drive out. I am hoping to have my daughter with me, and park near Sat. night campsites (there is a parking not terribly far from the proposed sites). But a friend of mine is having a medical emergency, so I won't know until the last minute whether she needs my help over the weekend. Right now it looks like I can leave. Sorry to make a hash of things.”

“What are friends for.
Hey gang I drive a red jeep OH plated.I will be somewhere Thurs pm and meet ya at naval run rd fri am!”

“I hope all turns out well for your friend Lyndy. If you can come, "We'll leave a light on for ya."

Oh, I'll be in a green Dodge Dakota. If it's cloudy and you get blinded by glare, you'll know it's me with my hat off.”

“M.Silver you must be trying to make landsurfer feel better with the double posts. Maybe you are getting nervous with the trip being so close and hit the key twice:) Glad you're going to make it...looks like a great trip Pennsy...err I mean Fritz came up with! I'll be there Friday am at naval run with the black toyota pickup.”

“There's a possibility I may start out at Navel Run Rd Friday morning. If not, I'll just park up on Rt. 44 and see everyone at Foster Hollow Pond. Is the parking area right where the railroad grade exits Navel Run at the gate? It's been so long since I was right there I forget.”

“Well, all my bags are packed and I am ready to go......................butt,the weather says no!
The Canadian front does not look promisin for the weekend. You all need the rain and IMHO you will get it this weekend!”

“Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Northwest wind around 15 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s.

Saturday: Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers during the day...otherwise partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s.

Monday: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s and highs in the lower 60s.”