Have U been on Loyalsock Trail

“I thinking about going to the loyalsock trail, and wanted to know if anyone has been there and what it is like.

Terrain?

Facilities?

Access?

Logistics?”

“there is a trip there this weekend. See the trips page.”

“Thought it was a kayaking trip this weekend.

Couldn't go anyway I've got a Cubscout Meeting.

Maybe in Sept.”

“yeah, I'd like to do the whole trail before the end of the year.”

“I have never hiked the LT (Loyasock Trail) end-to-end, but I have hiked the entire trail numerous times in sections. It's an awesome 60 mile trail that is, unfortunately, starting to feel the effects of impaction and increased hiker density.

Terrain - The LT has alittle something for everybody. There are steep sections, like hiking to the ridge tops from the bottom at Worlds End S.P., to easy areas, like driving up to the Canyon Vista or High Rock Vista (which can also be fairly strenuous hikes), and everything in-between is an easy to medium difficulty hike. I've also spent a fair amount of time cross-country skiing on the LT in the winter. I'm not going to tell you where it is, but there is even a cave along the LT. You also have the beautiful, but overused Haystacks area and the backroads trip to Sones Pond.

Facilities - Very decent at the main areas. The northern terminus of the LT at Rte 220 now has a new parking area and rest area with bathrooms. The Visitor Center/Ranger Station at World's End has alot of information as well as a small store with a deli/kitchen that is open in the summer months.

Access - there are a number of roads that intersect the LT and leave you loads of options from a dayhike to Angel Falls, to a nice-sized weekender along whatever stretch you desire. End-to-end, you have parking at both ends of the trail.

Logistics - once again, the number of intersecting roads leaves you many options and there are numerous "Red-X" trails to further help you decide (either planned or unplanned) which way to go. In a number of areas the Red-X trails help you to create a loop hike, rather than an "out and back". There is a campground area and Cabins in Worlds End S.P., but there are no shelters on the LT, it's all primitive camping so bring your tent. Water and wood is abundant, unlike the AT, you're sure to find water and wood at most camping areas that you run across. The trail is marke with red/yellow blazes by some very industrious Boy Scouts, so you have to be nearly blind, with blazes being about every 20-50 feet, to get lost.

Do yourself a favor and buy the LT Trail maps and book, offered by the Alpine Club of Williamsport. Also, jmitch's "Hiking the Endless Mountains" is an excellent reference source. EarthNsky is leading a trip to the LT this weekend, keep your eye out for their trip report! Do a search on the backpacker for past trip reports and threads regarding the LT.

Other trail systems close to the LT include the Black Forest Trail (BFT) and the Old Logger's Path (OLP). And you can't miss Rickett's Glen, too!”

“Capn Bobo, Thanks for the Intel...

I have visited the Alpine Club's website and have an order form for the trail guide.

How crowded does it get on a three day weekend? or any weekend for that matter?

SO where's the cave, is it big enough to explore?”

“maybe Capn will devulge his LT secrets on the next LT trip. Who wants to plan the next LT trip??? I nominate Capn!!”

“I wouldn't mind an End-to-end trip in the spring.

I need the time to get in shape.”

“I'm just talking about a section hike in the fall.”

“A section trip this fall would be cool also.

last weekend in Sept or the First in Oct?”

“that's a good possibility. The leaves will still be green though.”

“I'll post a Trip when I get The Guide book and find a section thats doable.

Fri?, Sat, Sun, & Mon?

Are there any sections that have been Hiked before that you would like to see again?”

“Saturday and Sundays work best for me because I have no vacation time left and it is a 4 hour drive to the Loyalsock region.”

“don't plan the trip around me though..”

“A cave on the LT, eh? I wonder if this has any relation to Bobo's secret campsite...

(I will find it, btw...maybe not this weekend, as it's supposed to be on the other end of the trail. Then again, I again, he just might show me sometime...)”

“Loyalsock was my first backpacking trip! Fond memories.”

“I'm ready for Loyalsock trail volume II!!”

“I'm thinking sometime in September. Anyone interested. I can't do it the weekend of Labor Day because I am on bloody call, bloody hell.”

“Count me in if it's not the weekend of the 18th.”

“Ok I may put up a trip on the trips page tonight.”

“bump”