PA loop

“Hello -

I am a beginner hiker (did a little last year) that would like to increase my hiking and camping experiences.

I have decided to try to organize a hike this year for a bunch of friends. I'm looking at an August timeframe.

What I'd like to do is find a trail that we can hike a loop on. We should be able to leave Harrisburg PA on a Saturday morning, arrive at the park, and hike half the trail on the first day. Then we'd set up a camp in the woods. The next morning, we'd hike our way back to the beginning point. Obviously we'd be responsible for carrying all our belongings with us for the entire hike. (packing is something I did extensive research on last year - now for the hiking part ...)

The internet has a lot of good information, but it's hard to get a good feel for what a good trail would be to accomplish what I'm trying to do.

Remember, we're all beginners, but we'd like to challenge ourselves and feel a sense of teamwork.

Thank you in advance for you help!

Harrisburg, PA”

“keep this bouncing up and Pennsy or Jmitch will pick it up.”

“The Link trail at World's End, Pinchot Trail at Lackawanna State Forest or the Thunderswamp trail in the Delaware State Forest would all be suitable.”

“Pathman - please explain. Looks like Pennsy and Jmitch are posters on here, but what does the rest of your post mean?”

“If nobody posts on this thread, it'll drift off the bottom. I don't know how often they come by, just that they do.”

“RichB - Thanks! I was looking at the Pinchot trail. That is what I had narrowed it down to so far, but I hadn't spoken to anybody.

It looks like there are 2 loops. I'd think (not sure) we could do 1 loop a day, but that would defeat the purpose of carrying everything out.

Do you think the northern loop would be a 2 day trip for beginners?”

“If you hike the Pinchot and want to split it into 2 days you may want to consider starting at some other parking area than the main trailhead. Good campsites are at Painter Creek, Butler Run and Choke Creek. There are lots of State Forest roads so shortcuts, bailout points, alternative parking is no problem to put together a loop your group is comfortable with. I believe the North loop to be about 11 miles or so and being relatively flat an easy hike. A good side feature you should include is the vista at Pine hill which would add about 2 miles of hiking. The trail is an easy hike an can be hiked entirely in one day by a hiker in good condition. It's hard for me to give per day mileage recommendations for you so you will have to determine what your goals are while taking into consideration of the fitness level of your group.”

“Thanks RichB. I'll check that info out, and also look at The Link and Thunderswamp. Looks like I'll need to scout it out beforehand.

I should have asked one other question:

Last year I came across rules as far as setting up campsites (distances from roads, etc.) but haven't been able to find that info again this year. Can anybody point me to some info on this? I believe there are rules for fires, etc ... and the camp rules are different for federal and state forests.

Thanks everyone.”

“Call the Lackawanna State Forest for a free map and info at (570) 963-4561.”

“Just wanted to say I didn't expect much with all the trolls and flamers out there on boards these days.

Glad to know there are good people out there.

Sorry for being such a newbie.”

“We already have a WoundedKnee!”

“I'll be sure to change my alias if I post again. Thanks.”

“It's never crowded either. I used to work for a land company that owns all the land around that tract (what isn't gamelands) It's a good loop, but the trails are not maintained the best. grew up all my life right near there in Pocono Pines”

“What about Minister Creek? I was only there once but it was beautiful, definately fit for beginners and I think we managed the loop in two days.”

“pinchot is a nice 24 mile loop, fairly easy, rocky in parts, that can be easily divided in north or south loops.

go to the old loggers path, this 27 mile loop has a blue blazed cross connector trail, the s & ny trail.

the loyalsock-link loop is a great choice, a little rugged in parts, great camping.

the awesome quehanna trail has some great loops that can be made out of the blue-blazed cross country ski trails.

minister creek is incredible, as is the morrison trail- both are short loops (7 and 12 miles) with great scenery and camping. both are in the allegheny nat'l forest.

good luck.”

“Wounded Knee, have fun on your trip wherever you decide to go.”

“Pinchot it is. I'll take everybody's responses into consideration when planning. Thanks a lot!

A friend and I will go up a month early for a night to scout it out.

I especially am grateful for the bivouc location tips. My biggest concern is finding a suitable place to camp since I am used to the pay sites, but I'm sure it won't be an issue.

I'll monitor periodically in case anyone else has anything to add.

Great site!”

“The really cool thing about Minister creek is if you head off trail, up the hills you find huge piles of boulders, great camping areas and no people. It was alot of fun exploring the rocks etc. Really nice place! I need to head back there soon.”

“Sass,

Morrison Trail is similar, the cross connector of morrison is more scenic, in my opinion, then minister creek. plus, on morrison there are some great campsites along the reservoir.”

“woundedkneepa,

don't miss the great view from top of big pine hill.”

“If you are absolute beginners, and don't do dayhikes regularly, plan on only about 6 or 7 miles a day. One of the shorter loop trips would be best in that case. If you do dayhikes, then figure about half your usual mileage for a first backpack trip. It takes a while to figure out how to cut down your pack weight, so hiking can be very slow the first couple of trips.”

“Holy Cow! There is another one of me!

Hey PA, whats up with your knees? If you are planning a hike in Penn, I am there.”

“Torn ACL. Need surgery, but I'll hold out til next year.

I'm afraid you'd be bored w/ a bunch of out of shape dudes, but I'll try to post details when I get this sorted out. Sounds like we'll need to keep it real short if we want to minimize the heart attacks.

A guy who hiked there told me it's a bit black bear area. Any of you old timers recommend bear mace? I understand about bear-bagging food at night, but just not sure what to do when we're on the trail getting attacked. lol! I'm thinking throw the smallest guy toward the bear and run the other way.”

“I need to get to PA more often.”

“Chances are good you may see a bear in Lackawanna State Forest. I watched one feed on blueberries last summer at dusk for about ten minutes from Tannery road and also saw 2 cubs and their mother on Painter creek. 2 years ago a hunter shot one during the bear season near the Pinchot trail that weighed in at 620 lbs. On the plus side, they are timid of people and won't bother you. Just keep a clean camp, hang your food up at night and don't worry about them.”

“Lots of bears, but not a danger, except to your food bag.”

“(I am formally woundedkneepa)



Thanks to everybody who gave input on this trip. It was a great success.

Check out the pictures at

www.rickallen.com

(In the 3rd to last picture, I am the 2nd on the left, front row, in case you care)”

“btw - Anybody know any good intermediate hikes in PA? I have 50 Hikes in Eastern PA, but didn't see anything that stands out for what I'm looking for.

I would like to find something very scenic for next year. Preferably a 2 night, 2.5 day excursion. Nothing technical though.

A full loop would be the best, but a straight line with ride back is ok too.

Thanks!”

“check out jmitch's book "hiking the endless mountains"

http://www.lattaoutdoors.com/cgi-bin/latta/hgn190.html?mv_pc=theba_item”

“I'll buy a copy. Thanks!”

“excellent pics, the pinchot trail is a nice trail.


best easier loops in PA:

old loggers path

loyalsock-link loop

quehanna trail- multiple loops can be made out of cross connector and cross country ski trails

allegheny front trail

each of these are great trails with fine scenery, plenty of water, great camping, views and isolation.”

“jmitch - I'm going to buy your book (from Overstock.com). Do you get paid the same no matter where it comes from? They had the best online price.

Actually I was looking for a more difficult trail system. When I say more difficult, I don't mean rockier or more technical, but longer and more isolated. The goal is to go for nice views (streams/waterfalls) and make it maybe a 3 day loop (maybe 40-45 miles) Maybe I'll have to go to New York for that??”

“The Loyalsock loop is a good one for that.”

“The Black Forest Trail is my favorite in Pa. It's 45 miles with lots of ups and downs, great views, waterfalls, streams, great campsites. It's a loop with several different starting points and intersections, providing options and bailouts.
Here some threads to check out:
TT Black Forest Trail threads
more BFT threads”

“I just noticed an earlier post that you and your group are fairly new to backpacking. How was your experience on the Pinchot? I ask this because the BFT is 20 miles longer with lots of hills, so it's possible you may want more than 3 days to complete it. It's hard to say not knowing your experience and physical hiking condition.

That said, the next step "in progression" from the Pinchot would be the Old Loggers Path. It's a bit longer than the Pinchot, 27 miles, but it has more hills. It's a great loop with waterfalls, streams, views, and nice campsites. Do a search on this website for Old Loggers Path and OLP to check out some of our trips there.”

“i really wanna do a trip there. pennsy, u should start one up cause i'm too lazy to plan it.”

“Pennsy - I'll check out BFT and OLP. Thanks. The loyalsock looks nice too (thanks jmitch and earthnsky), but there doesn't seem to be a good trail map online. I guess I'll order one from the Alpine Club Of Williamsport.

A few of us made it without much problem. I felt like I could run it, but until I get my ACL fixed, it's not such a good idea. I want next years "big" hike to be more challenging, and I expect half of this year's group won't be going.

I really enjoyed the Pinchot system. The south loop isn't maintained that great (side trails), but luckily a friend and myself had scouted it out a few weeks before hand. It had nice varied vegetation and terrain, though. I was really glad to find the campsite in the northwest corner (with the stream). Very relaxing!

Maybe I'll try to catch up with one of you guys if you plan something too.”

“hope you like the book, macguyver.

the loyalsock features the most waterfalls of any backpacking trail in PA, with many more off trail.

a few waterfalls can also be found the black forest, old loggers path, and chuck keiper trails.

if you're looking for longer and more isolated trails, the quehanna, chuck keiper and susquehannock trails are perfect. they're all loops. the susquehannock passes through the hammersley wild area, the largest roadless area in the state.”