Trip Report- Mid State Trail (PA)

“the mid state trail (MST) is being extended northward to new york, and i've been asked to scout a segment for the potential trail route, a section between blackwell and 287.

i went up there to check things out this weekend. conditions were tough with over a foot of snowpack with a nice, 2 inch crust. hiking was arduous, i didn't have snowshoes. my legs are still sore.

i began fron 287, following an old grade up along a scenic glen. near the top were beautiful groves of hemlock next to a beautiful stream. i then scouted the trail south over rock outcrops, boulders, and a cool overhang, through more thick hemlocks, then gradually down into another glen, passing more boulders and rock outcrops. i ended at rattler mine road. i flagged the route as well.

i'll be working at this all spring. i can't wait to scout the section along stony fork, renowned for its beauty with cascades, waterfalls, erosional features, and awesome swimming holes carved into rock.

it's cool to be the one to (help) decide where a trail goes. i'm shooting for the most scenic route possible.”

“Very cool jmitch.”

“Imo, I wouldn't scout a trail that passes every cool spot. Ya gotta leave some spots pristene and unintruded.”

“Sounds nice and it's good to hear of more trails being added. The snowpack this year was really dense with a tough crust and definitely tough to hike without snowshoes.”

“I did a 7 mile snowshoe with my boys this past Saturday. About a foot of snow here too. I wouldn't have wanted to hike it without the snowshoes.
Jmitch - are you still thinking about the MST section from Greenwood Furnance St Pk? Maybe the weekend of the 19th ?!”

“jmitch..Good luck with the trail bushwack. I knew you'd have to include some waterfalls! Great job. Keep us posted.”

“spikehiker,

if snow continues to melt, i hope to do the trail then. it'll be too difficult to cross the rock fields in deep snow. i'll keep you posted.”

“Wahoo Mitch!
This is also a reminder to myself to finish the existing Mid State Trail.”

“i was back up there again this weekend. i followed an old forest road from rattler mine road, beared left onto a RR grade that went by these interesting remains from the logging era, large brick walls, supports, and an incline plane still in great condition. i hiked down to slide hollow with a 10 ft waterfall, numerous cascades, springs, and hemlock. the top of the plateau featured more thick hemlock, and aromatic spruce and pine- very scenic forest. i hiked down roland run with more cascades and large boulders. i ended at exceptional stony fork with awesome waterfalls, pools, and rapids- amazing scenery. the plan is to have the trail ford stony fork and follow it upstream for a mile. can you imagine a long hard day of hiking in the summer, only to camp next to a deep pool fed by a waterfall? i'm excited to take the trail though this awesome place.

lots of wildlife, including coyotes, owls, deer, and squawking frogs that sounded like wild turkeys.”