PA Trip Soon?

“in the next few weeks, or month, i was thinking about a PA trip. i'd like to do the mid-state trail from PA 26 and hike to the greenwood spur, which we'll take south to greenwood furnace state park. this trail is located in central PA, so it would be convenient for many people. the shuttle is very easy and convenient.

highlights:

views, views, views...part of this is a ridgetop trail with rocky terrain and numerous awesome vistas. indian wells vista is incredible.

4 incredible natural area- big laurel flat, bear meadows, detweiler, and alan seeger. each of these places are awesome.

expect scenic streams, great camping, rhododendron tunnels, and old growth forest.

this trail had lots of variety and many scenic features.

we'll finish at greenwood furnace state park, with lots of history and great hiking nearby.

anyone might be interested?”

“I've been wanting to hike some in PA. I'd be interested, depending on the weekend (mid to late Feb, please). It sounds beautiful. Is there a place I can review maps or trail description?”

“Yes, please! This is almost in my backyard. Let me know the dates.”

“I'm interested.”

“Hey wait a minute! Is this trip going to require a nearly 20 mile hike the first day?”

“some general trail info.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/midstate.aspx”

“must hike- no only about 17 miles the first day, just kidding”

“I'll think about it.
I thought about it. YES!

However, for me it would have to be after the FYAO trip which is 2-13 to 2-16.”

“this is a great trail!!!! and it's in an area of PA not many TTers backpack, see what you're missing!

we'll begin from PA 26 and follow the ridge of tussey mtn w/ very rocky, rugged terrain and MANY vistas from rock outcrops and talus slopes.

we'll reach big laurel flat and continue to follow the ridge above bear meadows natural area, with more awesome views overlooking a wilderness setting. we'll reach indian wells vista, which is just awesome!

the trail descends to bear meadows with hemlock, rhododendron, and bogs. we may then follow the john wert path with a beautiful stream, great camping among hemlock and rhododendron. we'll hike over the ridge and rejoin the mid state trail and proceed to AWESOME detweiler run natural area- old growth hemlock, babbling stream and tunnels of rhdodendron.

we'll then enter INCREDIBLE alan seeger natural area, with ancient hemlocks and more rhododendron tunnels. now begins the big climb up to the greenwood fire tower, which offers great views. the trip ends with a big descent down to greenwood furnace state park.”

“how about the weekend of the 27th or the first weekend of March ?!”

“Late February or early March is best for me.”

“I might be interested! What kind of miliage are you talking about? Would it be a snowshoe?

End of Feb would work for me.”

“I was thinking the same thing as Lt. It's still very much winter then in PA.”

“I hiked part of that trail in the winter of 1993. We camped at the base of the first climb out of Greenwood Furnace State Park for the first night since it was late when we got there. The next day we headed up the climb and I was feeling sick from the night before. When I got to the top of the climb we got to a road and I was finished and couldn't hike any longer. I had the flu really bad and had to be driven out. A guy gave my friend a ride back to the park to get the car and he picked me up. I had the chills so bad I wore my expedition coat in the car for most of the ride home and was sick for days after. I always wanted to go back. There's a slim chance I might be able to go in March.”

“march might be best, we'll see.”

“Hey jmitch...

Why don't you join us over Presidents Weekend?”

“i'm interested”

“This trip is enticing for me. If the weather is favorable, I might be interested. If not, I still might like to hook up with youans for some day hiking.

I've hiked along several sections of jmitch's itinerary, and I used to live in McAlevey's Fort - just a few miles from this area of Rothrock State Forest. It's everything jmitch says. Another interesting item to check out on the route might be the charcoal flats near Bear Meadows and along the Collier Trail segment. You can also read about them at the small historic museum at Greenwood State Park (if it's open). The park itself is a beautiful place loaded with history. Also, part of the trip could include a stop for some yummy ice cream at the Penn State Creamery on the Main Campus in nearby State College (my Alma Mater).

There's an excellent map of this section of Rothrock State Forest called The Purple Lizard Map, available at Appalachian Outdoors in State College (1-800-690-5220), which is also a place to stop if you need any gear or supplies before arriving at the trailhead. They have a website too.”

“jmitch...depending on the date, I'd be interested. Sounds like a great place.

must hike...Still feelin' the effects ?! LMAO.... it'd be fun to hike with you again.”

“Hey wait a minute! Is this trip going to require a nearly 20 mile hike the first day?"
must hike

LOL! @ Must Hike

Depending on the month planned, I am in.”

“WK, hope you can make it.

adventurist- i'd like to, but 16 people seems awfully crowded

be forwarned, the ridgetop along tussey mtn is VERY rocky and rugged, lots of talus slopes and rock fields”

“Anyone up for the MST the weekend of March 19th?

I'm a maybe since i have two trials that following week, but i'll help plan it.”

“PA sucks.”

“I'm pretty sure I'm open that weekend.

If you post it, they will come”

“i move to place this on the trips page, will anyone second?”

“I will second ....”

“alright, it's on the trip page...”

“PA sucks.”

“I'm there!”

“Me and Ms Cmb want to do some of the NCT this summer in Pa.I have been there lots of times but Nicole has never been there.


8)”

“no way PA sucks!!!!!

have you been to Ricketts Glen or have you backpacked the Loyalsock Trail. PA is awesome!!!”

“that poster is just a troll attempting to ruffle feathers. just ignore it.”

“I'm down as a maybe, but at this point it looks pretty good that I'll be able to go.”

“Hey BigSack, PA happens to have some of the best hiking in the country. So watch what you say unless you want a BigKick.”

“come on guys. It's a troll. Feeding it will only make it come back.

Rich - it would be great to see you on the trail again. I'm hoping things are progressing with you?”

“Oh yeah, by the way i'd like to go. Its not too far away, only like an hour and fifteen minutes.”

“I can't make it. :(
Have fun.”

“I love Rothrock State Forest!

Can't make it though. Bummerooski.

Youans have fun.”

“would love to, but already have backpacking plans that weekend with a friend from school”

“rich, hope you can make it. where's spike?”

“i LOVE alan seeger and detweiler natural areas- like a forest from hundreds of years ago with massive hemlocks and thick rhododendron, so beautiful.”

“Spike's here ! I'll get on the trips page today. I'll be coming from Altoona so I'm only about an hour away.”

“scorch,

then come along with your friend. our trail will be a lot better than yours!!!”

“jmitch..I'll sign on as a maybe. It's my b-day and the Mrs. may have some objections?!”

“jmitch, it's her first time backpacking and she wants to go somewhere relatively flat, blah, or i would tag along with you guys”

“unfortunately, i cannot make it, i'm sorry. i have 2 jury trials the week of march 22-26 that i thought might be settled. i really was hoping to go on this trip. i'll leave this trip up since others are planning to go.

march 26-28 is open if you want to push it back, but i don't want to inconveniece anyone.

if you guys have any questions about the trail, just let me know. pretty easy, from PA 26, follow blue blazed jackson trail; follow orange blazed MST to detweiler run, turn right and follow blue blazed greenwood spur to state park.

hope to hike with you guys soon.

pennsy- take lots of pics!”

“Mitch, I might just go on MarkO's West Va trip since you can't make it. I;m gone for the weekend in 2 minutes but I'll know more monday.”

“i know it's easter weekend, but i'm thinking about a trip this weekend. maybe quehanna, allegheny front, or mid state. anyone might be interested?”

“Sorry got family business to attend to this weekend. I'll take a raincheck though!”

“doing some hiking in the Shenandoah with Bison this weekend. I do want to get up to PA some time soon. We need a TT trip to Ricketts Glen sometime soon.”