Loyalsock Trail July 4th 3day thruhike

“this will be a three day, four night 60 mile backpack trip over one of PA's hardest and most scenic trails. Each day will be a buttkicker with early starts and late finishes. We will likely hike close to 20 miles each day with a small night hike in on Friday night.

The trail drops down into deep gorges, passed waterfalls and climbs steeply out of them to vast vistas over looking PA's Endless Mountains.

It will be a fun time.”

“Four nights? You planning on sleeping twice on one of the 3 nights?”

“oh yeah 3 nights.

I learned to count from the spanish Inquisition.”

“I see you replaced our AT 4th of july hike with a nice easy one.”

“I was reading in jmitch's book, maybe we should hike west to east. The trailhead on the west end has a very small parking area and it is right on a busy highway.

Do we need to register at Worlds End State Park to hike on the LT?”

“take that back, the best thing to do is hike east to west. There is no good campspots close to the western trailhead and also there is a rocky 1000 foot ascent right off the bat and that might be tough in a night hike.”

“according to the guide book, there is camping 1.7 miles from the west terminus on 87. Yes, there is a 1000' climb right off the start, and we'd miss a view if starting at night.

There's camping at Haystacks, 2 miles from the east terminus. I don't know if this is feasible for anybody (or myself for that matter), but getting a Friday afternoon start would work great. We could catch Haystacks before dark and perhaps camp at Bobo's secret campsite, which is about 4 miles into the hike.”

“I might be able to pull something off to get out of work early. It is possible I could score a late friday afternoon start, I'll ask my boss tomorrow. Four miles would a good start Friday

that view that we would miss on the west end if we night started is supposed to be a great view too.”

“Shuttle Service for Loyalsock Trail
As noted previously on this website, as a convenience for hiking the Loyalsock Trail, there is a shuttle service for hikers that has been brought to our attention. For more information on this service, please contact:

Connie Wilson
R.R. 2 Box 296
Dushore, PA 18614
570.928.9475

here is shuttle info. I have a msg into Connie to ask about the shuttle.”

“That's the shuttle service I saw from the Alpine Club's website. I tried to make a link to it on the other thread, but the link didn't work for me.”

“Hmmm, why do we need a shuttle service? I thinking we'd meet at the LT trailhead on 87, leave a car and head over to the east terminus on 220.”

“per jmitch's book the trailhead on 87 is really small and right along a busy highway. Sounds kind of like the trailhead on Rt 414 for the Golden Eagle Trail.”

“the western trailhead is small and easy to miss. heck of a climb to start out with.”

“ok, I called about the shuttle service. she wants $25 per person. no thanks”

“The lot at the Rte 220 end is sizable and there is a place to camp less than 1 mile from the lot, where the trail intersects the old railroad bed.”

“ENS - 87 in NY is a busy highway. 87 in Pa is a 2 lane state road. I remember seeing the Loyalsock Trailhead sign the last time I drove to the OLP, and I wasn't even looking for it.”

“lol - yeah, I am thinking what you're thinking. We'll be fine spotting a car there.”

“The weather is looking not too bad for next week. I was getting worried yesterday when I was out hiking, because it was really hot. Next weekend looks like it will be in the 70s.”

“we should keep the Link Trail option in mind in case we get tired. That should cut off atleast 10 miles. That would just be an option if we are tired though.”

“70's?? Brrrrr, we'll freeze our asses off! ;o)

I hope it cools off though. It was very hot in the Catskills, and I felt it. We'll definately have to improvise if the forecast changes to hot temps.”

“I hope this forecast holds up:

Friday night. Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

Saturday. Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.

Saturday night. Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.

Sunday. Mostly sunny. Highs around 80.

Sunday night. Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

Independence day. Mostly sunny. Highs around 80”

“that is a good forecast if it holds up.”

“keep in mind you'll have 2 big 1,000 foot plus climbs at the western end; especially up smith's knob (great views and camping at the summit).

where are you camping each night? maybe i can meet up.”

“we're going to start on the eastern end and hike west. Friday night we'll likely camp at Haystacks.”

“Its been a scorcher this last week, little to no rainfall and the streams are at a trickle. No worries you should find water along the LT. There are plenty of stream crossings. The long road walk above Huntersville is a bit dry so tank up before you start up the hill. Watch the stinging nettles north of High Knob Vista. The crop was thick last I was there.
The LT has numerous outstanding vistas and campsites. Locations to keep in mind Shingle Run, Ketchum Run, Sones Pond, Haystacks. I do suggest registering at Worlds End if you park there. I was on the LT seven years ago, there was an endurance event underway. Someone actually ran the course of the LT finishing under 24 hours. I am not sure if they still have this event.

Enjoy!
Gus”

“thanks Gus. I guess Angel Falls will be dry. Bummer. Perhaps there will be some rain in between now and then to make things wet by the time the weekend comes around. Weather is looking to be good for this trip. Here's hoping it holds.”

“I'm not sure where we're going to camp each night. We plan on hiking as far as we possibly can on Saturday, starting out early and finishing late. One camp spot that would be really nice to hit up is the Lower Kechum Creek Falls site. The one that is right next to the waterfall. That maybe a possibility for Saturday night. There will be a lot of improv on this trip.”

“I have my backpack semi packed and I think it will be fairly light. I haven't packed water yet and I still need to get some food.”

“Also, EMS has its tekwick shirts on sale right now. I picked up a nice blue sleeveless techwick (or however it is spelled) shirt for $16. Now all da ladies on da trail will be saying "hello"”

“Techwick rules. I hope I am working near EMS the next few days to grab that sale.

okee dokee... camping and stuff: this appears to be the plan so far. Stop me if I'm wrong, ENS. Don't stop? Ok, I'll go on...

We'll meet at the west terminus Friday night around 6-6:30. (if MarkO is reading this, that would be P.M.). The west terminus is on PA 87, about 9.5 miles north of 180/220.

We'll leave a car there and head to the east terminus. Looking at the map, we'd go north on 87 to 154 east to 220 in LaPorte. Go north on 220 about 2.5 miles to Mead Rd where the trailhead is located. Is that right?

Haystacks is only 2 miles into the hike and we'll probably camp there Friday night. If we get there and it's still light, or there's a million scouts and no room to camp, we could always go another 3 miles to Sones Pond, or even Capn Bobo's secret camp site.

Saturday will be a long day and we should cover 20-25 miles. 23 miles (from Haystacks) would take us to Ketchum Run, below Lee's Falls. This is according to the 1999 LT guide book. Is this the Falls you were talking about, ENS?

Sunday... according to the guide book, there is no camping between mile markers 14 and 21 because of private land, so it's either 13 miles or less or 20 miles or more. Hopefully, we'll do the 20+ version, and start looking for camp areas after we cross Old Huntersville Rd.

That would leave us 14 miles or less for Monday. Howz that sound? any thoughts Jmitch, Gus, RichB or any other LT experts?

The weather looks promising for a high mileage weekend. Temps in the 70's during the day and a nice 50's at night. I'll be packing real light. Hammock, 20oz sleeping bag and no sleeping pad. With all the water sources we'll be passing by, we probably won't have to lug a lot of water.

They might get rain between now and Friday night, so maybe the Falls won't be so dry.”

“I just checked out Jmitch's book on the LT. I should have done that in the first place. in Napolean Dynamite's voice: IDIOT!

Yes, he confirmed the good campsites below Lee's Falls and the no camping between mile markers 14.82 and 21. Those mile markers are the ditances from the west terminus on 87, by the way.

Jeff mentions campsites at Painter Run and Snake Run, but that would push our Sat hike close to 25 miles. We can play it by ear I guess.”

“yeah that is the one Pennsy. You have to climb up a ladder to the top of the Falls. It's a really nice waterfall and campsite and camping next to a waterfall is major bonus. 23 miles would be pretty good for Saturday.

Pennsy, I think your plan sounds excellent! Big days Saturday and Sunday and we can lighten the load on Monday.”

“don't buy the blue sleevless tekwick shirt Bruce. lol I think they have a few colors.”

“Hey Gus, do you know the fire situation?”

“I may have to go with the hammock this weekend.”

“Yes, you should. You've never slept in one and I'm sure I'll enjoy the entertainment.”

“anyone packing libations on this hike? speaking of entertainment.

Pennsy, I may need help with the knot again. I had a pretty good one when I set it up over the weekend. The other part that I couldn't figure out was the tarp.

I talked Gemini into taking her hammock too. She is also knew to hammocks. SO this weekend could be shock full of entertainment. lol”

“oh brother..... am I gonna have to charge for babysitting? heh heh

Gemini is coming?? Are you 2 passing secret coded messages or something?

libations? Not this trip. a cold beer would be nice, though.”

“yeah, we won't be able to stay awake long enough to even think about libations.

However, the post hike feast should definitely occurr at the Forksville Tavern! Perfect post hike place! Cheap and the portions are ginormous.
last edited: 6/28/05 8:18:36 PM”

“sounds like a plan. I've never had "ginormous" portions before. Sounds great.

so, where's Gem?”

“yeah, where is gem?”

“I just looked at the map and see where the western trailhead is. I think I have been there before when I was a kid. Gemini will be meeting me in Harrisburg friday and follow me up. We can probably throw a car in the middle, maybe at High Knob.”

“okay!! I am going!! whooohooo!!!!
didn't read everything yet...but yeah...i think I will try my hammock for the first time.

i may need to kidnap you pennsy and you need to help me setting it up. [never done it before and i doubt i have time to figure it out until friday]
last edited: 6/28/05 9:58:35 PM”

“post hike party?? in a Tavern?? heeheehee...

yeah, I am not bringing any alcohol on this trip. really doubt I want any hard liquor after 20 miles or more. Prolly pass out before pennsy set up my hammock for me {ROFLMAO...j/k}”

“heehee...only 2 more days!!!”

“the weather is slowly inching warmer, but it still looks good.”

“briars and nettle are a problem along some sections of trail.

if you don't get to ketchum run to camp, double run has some nice camping, dry site at alpine vista.

be careful where you camp the last night, there is a roadwalk and no camping until you get into the tiadaghton state forest.

ketchum run is gorgeous, and the scene of the "white gas incident", the most challenging hike i ever endured. smith's knob is impressive.

have fun”

“"i may need to kidnap you pennsy”
Gemini
That can be arranged, darlin. *wink wink nudge nudge*


if it rains Friday night, you 2 will learn real fast how to set up your hammocks. ;o)

Hey Jeff.... it's safe for you to come on this trip. there will be no white gas involved.

ENS - rather than have Gem follow you all the way from Harrisburg, why not leave her car there and save her some miles? I think we'll be fine without a middle car.”

“so you'll be at haystacks fri night, ketchum run sat night, somewhere else sunday night? i can't do the whole thing, i'd like to intercept you guys at some point, but that might be too difficult to arrange. maybe i can hike into ketchum run saturday night to meet up with you.”

“yeah, Pennsy, I was thinking about that too. That is probably what I will suggest to her.

jmitch, that would be cool if you can meet up with us.”