On the CKT- jmitch's trip report

“i was going to go to the del water gap with everyone else, but i was really in the mood for some isolation. if that's what you're looking for, you can't get a lot more isolated than north central PA and i decided to hike the eastern loop of the chuck keiper trail, a 55 mile double loop.

the trailhead is at a great view of the fish dam run gorge and descends past the east branch natural area, a spaghnum moss swamp. i then began the eastern loop, relatively flat as i crossed the plateau, dipping into gentle glens carved by streams. some areas were open due to windstorms and some logging. lots of scenic streams with hemlock and pine. tons and tons of blueberries.

the trail descends into benjamin run amongst pines. i was approaching an isolated hunting cabin when i saw a buck naked man get up from screwing his wife. i thought he saw me, but he didn't and proceeded to walk around naked, sat down in his law chair and drank some beer. his wife had her shirt on and pulled up her panties. unfortunately, the trail went right by them and i waited until they went in the cabin before going across the yard.

the trail began it's first big climb up a scenic glen that became increasingly steeper. upon reaching the ridge, the trail makes a very steep descent down into boggs run gorge. lots of sidehill, some of it eroded. i made camp in a very isolated gorge with hemlocks and a nice mountain stream. i was so tired i went to bed early. at about 5 that morning, massive t-storms swept through the area, it was incredible. the thunder echoed off of the side of the gorge with a massive display of lightning. my tent held up well.

sunday was a tough day. i made the long ascent out of the gorge, crossed over the plateau and made a screaming descent down to PA 144. very tough terrain. did some road walking and ascended up another glen with hemlocks and rhododendron. this was a long, taxing ascent and more t-storms began to form, thankfully none hit me. i reached the top of the plateau, followed a forest road, made a side trip to Big Rocks, a collection of massive boulders and ledges, and finally made it back to my car.

i'm very, very sore.”

“That sounds like a very cool place! Nice report! Too bad about the couple though. Ick.”

“i saw lots of hawks, very large 8 point buck, lots of bear scat, but no bears, did about 26 miles in 1 1/2 days, total elevation with all the climbs about 3000 feet. no other hikers on the trail.”

“That sounds great! Last time I went hiknig with the hubby in the Smokies we came out and the entire parking area was nothing but bear scat. Glad they didn't mess with the car! Shouldn't be too much longer before Smokies bears learn the smash n' grab.”

“some of it was larger than horse manure, hate to see the size of those bears, at least when i'm hiking alone.”

“Cool trip report Jmitch!”

“On the Smokies trip I mentioned, it was very late november with beautiful weather. I kept smelling peanut butter along part of the trail. It was because some very regular bear was eating nothing but nuts.”

“Jmitch, I hiked out there with Msilver last Dec. for 3 days. We hiked the section of Elk Lick Run, Yost Run and then back up to the highway. We wanted to go down into Fishdam, but it got too late and the days were short in winter. We had snow showers for much of the time we were there. That place seems to make its own weather. The footing was tricky on the sidecut trails in the hollows with the snow on the ground and it slowed us down a lot. I always wanted to go back there and fly fish Fish Dam Run, but I never got back there and the creeks are probably too low now. See any rattlesnakes? Msilver said he saw a couple big ones on the CKT in summer.”

“Nice trip report jmitch - was the chick hot at least?”

“not bad for an older lady (40s). nice a$$. unfortunately, i saw a lot more of him, actually, all of him.”