Chuck Keiper Trail Trip Report

“I met Paule, Pennsy, Calmwater3, Spindlette and Nogranola at the CKT trailhead on Friday morning in a light fog, high humidity with predicted rain in the forecast. After everyone gabbed a little at the trailhead we got a later start than we hoped and the pace started to pick up a bit. The group stayed together, but the humidity was tough to deal with and I was soon soaked with sweat after the first climb. At least the rain held off for the most part while we were hiking. We stopped for lunch at the top of Fish Dam and Pennsy wasn't feeling well and would have to bail at that point. As soon as he started walking down the road, Spindlette managed to flag down a local resident to give him a ride back to the trailhead. Hopefully, he's feeling better.

We finally made it to within a quarter mile of our campsite at Yost Run about 5, but not before a torrential thunderstorm struck and dumped some big rains while we were setting up camp. At that point everyone who wasn't soaked from sweat was throughly soaked from the rain. The rain did stop, but we didn't try to get a fire going and sat around a lit candle until about 10 PM. During the night more storms moved in and it was awesome to hear the thunder and rain echo through the hollow. The air was so damp that whatever didn't get rained on was wet just from the air itself.

Mid morning, the rain stopped and we got a late start as peeps of sunshine started to filter through the canopy raising our spirts after so much wetness. Eventually, we made it over to our next camp at Panther branch around 6 PM after a great hike down Eddy Lick Run. We did manage to get a fire a going and sat around the fire ring drying out after being wet for almost 2 days.

Sunday's weather was much better and the air was very comfortable for hiking, so we started out at a blistering pace right away. After what felt like a morning run everyone looked at each other at our first rest spot and commented what a great workout that was. After that, the pace calmed down a bit as we finished the West Loop and parted ways with Spindlette. She went on for the next two days to finish the East Loop solo. The rest of us took the cross connector trail back to the trailhead and got back at 4PM.

This was a great hike with great people.
I got to meet two more TTers, Paule and No Granola and it was a pleasure meeting and hiking with them. I also got to hike again with Pennsy, Calmwater3 and Spindlette and it was great being out on the trail with them again. I can't wait for the next hike and I'm looking forward to reading about Spindlette's trek around the East loop when she gets back. Pennsy, I hope you are feeling better.
A big thanks to Spindlette for planning the hike and it was an unforgettable hike for me.”

“great trip report Rich”

“Nice trip report Rich. I was anxious to hear how the group made out, especially with the weather. It was dissapointing having to bail so early, but I felt crappy the rest of the day and Saturday. With the weather you got, I guess I made an ok decision. It was still good see you and Calmwater again, and to meet some new friends, especially my good ole neighbor, Spindlette. I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of her trip.”

“My pictures”

“nice pics Rich. Hey, who's the dork wearing a jacket while everyone else is half naked? Oh.... never mind.”

“The weather was little hard to deal with at first Saturday morning with 100% humidity, but as the day went on it kept improving. I'm just glad the rain stopped by 10 AM when we started hiking again.”

“We thought you might have been hijacked by that dude that gave you a ride back to the parking lot.”

“that was an interesting ride. When I got in the truck, I got a little spooked. That guy was HUGE! Over 300lbs, wearing camo overalls with no shirt, and a bit of a hillbilly accent. He wasn't a local, but from western Pa out there for the weekend cutting wood. I noticed some kind of brace on his right hand / wrist, and he told me that ever since he cut off his hand last year, they won't let him use the chainsaw. Nice guy, but my hand stayed close to the door handle.”

“We thought you'd have an interesting story about that guy. I didn't get a good look at him, but that wacky horn on his truck was kind of weird. Glad you got back OK in one piece.”

“Nice TR Rich . . . I can stop writing mine now. Maybe I'll get some pics up instead. :-)”

“great pics and report.”

“I have a chainsaw usable with one hand (although the instructions carefully note always to use both). I bought it from a Husqvarna dealer in Everett PA (since retired) who only had one hand. He didn't talk about what happened, and I didn't ask.”

“Good work RichB! Thanks for the excellent company on a beautiful hike. It was great seeing you, calmwater3, nogranola, and meeting paule for the first time. (even if Nature itself has it in for the guy. ;> )

Pennsy, I hope "bubba" wasn't overly friendly? We thought about you all weekend. ;) Hope you are feeling better?

I just got home late this morning,,,will try to get pics up and a TR to add as soon as I'm settled. Thanks guys!”

“Yay, the trip leader made it home safe and sound. I'm looking forward to the pics and your report, and thanks (sort of) for flagging down Bubba for me. I thought he was joking about cutting his hand off until he showed me which fingers worked and which ones didn't. Thankfully, he didn't pull the brace off and show me the scars. Yeesh.

Yep, I'm feeling better and looking forward to a "revenge" trip. Hmmm, what did nature do to Paule?”

“Other than being attacked by a swarm of bees, nothing painful (only 2 stings). That falling log missed me by over 2 feet. Besides, it was only about 4 inches diameter. I might have lived if it would have hit me.”

“Thanx everyone for a great time, it was a pleasure meeting paule and nogranola, and it was good to see Richb, Spindlette and Pennsy again. I will try to get my pics uploaded tonight. Pennsy I'm glad to hear your feeling better and that you arrived home safe and sound.”

“Never stand too close to paule. He seems to be a target for Natures sense of humor. Trees attack him. ;)

my pics are up: http://community.webshots.com/album/456575889QWpdgK

I still have a TR to do...later, the house is a mess. It may be another 1/2 hour till all the pics are visible, so if you don't see a sunset at the end,,just wait.

Thanks again guys! Ready to go again???”

“Nice pic's! Even with the weather like it was, it still looks like you had a great time. I wish I could of went.”

“Hey Looney Walker - you can join me on my "revenge" trip, a date to be named later.

Great pics Spindle! Forget the house and do the TR. LESS housework, MORE reporting!

Dang, Paule is an accident waiting to happen, eh? I knew there was something about him. NEVER trust a guy who backpacks in running shoes.”

“"Looney Strider" is my alter ego, not Looney walker! that makes me sound slow.”

“I actually made it to the trailhead, but then decided that I would sit it out this weekend, as I was pretty tired and needed a weekend to relax and spend with the family. Sorry I missed everyone one. Glad ya'll had a good time.”

“Spindlette, nice pictures and glad you got home OK.”

“More pics:

http://community.webshots.com/album/456807932TqGven”

“"Looney Strider" is my alter ego, not Looney walker! that makes me sound slow.

Until your foot heals, you will remain the "Walker." ;o)
btw - I think my new name is "Crawler."

Great pics NG! "Water" is a great shot, especially with all that greem moss. Of course, the next pic with Spindle dunking her head in said water is extra special.”

“Nogranola, nice pictures. That insect on your pack is a Katydid and it's what makes all the racket in the trees at night along with the crickets.”

“That green guy was a stubborn little bugger with a grip like steel!”

“I guess they need a strong grip since they crawl around in the leaves all the time.”

“I finally got my pics up....
http://community.webshots.com/album/456769687bZzNAS/0[url]”

“Excellent pics calmwater3! You've got a good eye.

nogranola, I will soooo make you pay for that 'special' one. If you weren't so slow you wouldn't spend so much time staring at my backside. :p A girl should be able to rinse her hair in peace,,,just wait. };}”

“Thanx Spindlette, I really like the one you got of the sunset, and the rattlesnake skin is really cool.”

“great pics and reports.”

“Nice report and pics y'all! Sorry I missed it! Pennsy ~ what happened? Your age catch up with you? :p Hope you are feeling better!

I see a lot of topless male backpackers in those photos. Good work, spindle! ;)”

“I was tempted to hike in boots and gaiters. It was that humid . . . and keep your notebook in your pocket. it ain't hasppenin”

“Calmwater3, nice pictures.”

“Time, human error, and road conditions conspired to deliver me to the trailhead an embarrassingly late 45 minutes after our scheduled start time. Being fashionably late may be tolerable, but being that late is inexcusably rude. Again Gentlemen, I apologize.

Arriving at the trailhead I find already geared up and waiting are four members of our group: calmwater3, RichB I recognize from experience. Pennsy I recognize from his webshots pics, so identifying our newbie paule as the one unrecognized person.

Nogranola had been keeping driving pace with me since Route 80, arrived a moment behind me. All present and accounted for. Excellent, let the weekend begin!

Even the most perfect strangers can become instant friends at the trailhead of a long hike. Our group would not be the exception. Calmwater3 and no_granola I'd hiked with very recently. RichB I had not seen in a year or more and was very much looking forward to hiking with him again. Now, Pennsy and I have lived no more than eight miles from each other for the past 2 years..and have never met. Odd to drive nearly 200 miles to meet your neighbor, but now I can recognize him in the supermarket! Finally. The only really new face for me is paule. He has a warm smile, sincere handshake, and a relaxed demeanor. This is looking to be a good group.

Intoductions done, packs on, and off we go. The air temperature may have been cool but the humidity was oppressively unpleasant. Thank goodness the sky was overcast. Even at a moderate pace out group was sweating fully within a mile.

First day out, full packs, and sticky air together leaves little tolerance for additional discomfort. Feeling even slightly "off" becomes intolerable and we began to struggle noticeably within a couple miles. The climb out of Fish Dam Run is a no-nonsense trek of about 800 feet of gain within slightly over a half mile. Everyone is feeling it but Pennsy is particularly affected. As I am watching he turns pallid, shaky, and his breathing goes hard and irregular. This is not a recoverable bonk I am seeing. He doesn't improve much during our lunch stop near Jews Run Road. Wisely he decided to bail. He doesn't want to,,,but makes the safest decision.

While walking down the road we are approached by a local Good Ole Boy (now dubbed "Bubba") in his musical horn havin' pick-up. He stops to chat with calmwater3 and this now looks like a serviceable opportunity to catch Pennsy a lift back to the trailhead... Bubba is agreeable. I feel only slightly concerned about the Deliverance images I'm remembering... Pennsy got back safe, even if sick, and the rest of us had a good (and somewhat dark-ish) weekend giggle to play with.Endorphins
make everything seem funnier than they really should be, I guess.

Then we were five. RichB led us down into a campsite he knew on Yost Run just as the rain arrived in full downpour. Everyone paused a while, waiting for it to abate slightly, then began setting up for the night.

Settled in a bit damp and diners eaten, we spent a pleasurable couple hours chatting away by the light of a single candle before turning in. Even a single candle flame is facinating in the backcountry dark.

Day 2

It rained on/off all night and we slept in a bit late because of it. Luckily it stopped just as we were ready to get up and going. Breakfasts eaten, packs packed, and a goal of Panther Branch set for the day and we were off.

Sunlight, glorious sunlight returned as we finished the climb out of Bloom Draft. It became a beautiful day, even if still humid, and the hike through Eddy Run was gorgeous! We kept a good pace in the rolling ups and downs along that section and found ourselves descending into West Branch as dinnertime was approaching. We agreed on letting time and water availability determine that nights campsite, so with the idea of "just a couple more miles" in mind we started up along Panther Branch.

A mile or so up and we noticed a distinct lack of water in the branch. Knowing that terrain as we do, we figured water will become more scarce as we ascend, we turned back toward the West Branch convergence. A look around found us a large Hemlock grove on a running stream with an existing fire ring! Excellent campsite location that allowed us to spread out in appropriate fashion. Lucky find! Not so luckily for dear paule, who got bee-stung twice getting in there,,,and then later a tree nearly dropped a branch on his head... Watch out when hiking with the new guy.

Nogranola, paule, and RichB built and tended an amazing fire. Great job guys! We spent another fantastic evening chatting away,,,wondering about the fate of poor Pennsy. Gosh I love Hemlocks. They always make for the best campsites.

Day 3

Up and moving fairly quickly today with the Cross Connector trail as a goal for guys. This bit of trail is rolling and not overly strenuous so we made good time even with a nice lunch stop along Swamp Branch. We reached the Cross Connector early afternoon and stood around chatting a bit. After a couple lovely days in their company I had an uncustomary reluctance to part ways. A couple of false starts and I managed to force out my goodbye's and I gotta go's...and they headed off back to the trailhead...and I up next hill.

I had a great time with y'all. Can we do this again soon?

That hill took me up into the high meadows of Shoemaker Ridge where I spooked up two herds of whitetail deer. The most we'd seen all weekend. I had thought about including the Cranberry Swamp loop into my day, but it was late in the afternoon when I got there. It gets dark early down in the run's and I wanted to make Benjamin Run for that nights camp, so I passed on the swamp and rushed the climb up and down the next ridge.

When I say "up and down" I mean it in the true PA fashion of "straight up and straight fricken down". Ahh,,, welcome to the Eastern Loop of the CKT! There is nothing like 70-degree descents! Weeehaaa!

That hill deposited me unceremoniously into Benjamin Run which proved to be unsuitable for a lone female with stealth camping requirements. Two hunting cabins, recently used, a couple well used roads leading to natural gas containers, and fresh footprints convinced me to rethink my campsite goals. Luckily Sled Road Hollow had running water. The CKT followed it up and out of Benjamin Run. About a mile and a half up I turned into a copse of young hemlocks got out of sight of the trail for the night. And wouldn't you know it...found a fire ring. Where there are hemlocks...

It was a beautiful night. I could almost read by the moonlight and slept like a stone.

Day 4

Up and back on trail by 9. I was anticipating an exhausting day of ups and downs and found the days hiking rhythm early. This must be the most beautiful section of the whole trail and I got engrossed in it. So much so that I never was exactly sure where I was in relation to my map. It's up, down, rolling, and forever just a footpath barely cut into the sides of the runs. The early leaves are falling and it smells of autumn. The temperature was cool enough to be unstressful and a breeze made it almost chilly.

I got lost in my own thoughts and the scenery. Enjoying myself thoroughly. It wasn't until I reached the 144 crossing that I wondered where I was. The trail parallels above 144 here, cut into a footpath on the hill. Okay...I've gone a bit farther, a bit faster than I intended originally. It's a solo hiking habit. Something I do when there's no one to tell me to slow down. Let's see how this goes from here....

The climb out of Halls Run goes on for-fricken-ever. It's one of those 50-degree multi-mile ascents that 3/4 of the way up you start reminding yourself that PA is only so high...and unless you made a wrong turn and wound up in the Rockies...WILL end eventually.

The climb deposits you on a state park road. Well used and maintained with chunks of blue rock. A half mile or so later you meet a blue blazed "Blue Rocks Vista" trail. I dropped my pack out of sight and took a jog up to see where it went. First off, you can drive right to the trailhead itself so there was the car camping remains typical of state parks. Overused fire ring, plastic refuse, graffiti on the huge rocks immediately visible. Stupid people.

The rock formations are interesting though. Huge bluestone ridge formations complete with caves, tunnels, fissures, overhangs. Great place to explore if you have the time and little fear of rattlesnakes. I continued my run up and down the trail for another half mile or so. I'm not sure if I made the actual "vista" as the trail went on longer than I wanted to, but I did get a nice view from one part of it. On my run back I found the snakeskin pictured in my webshots album. That was a good reminder to watch my feet.

Gathered my gear and hiked on. Shortly thereafter I found myself crossing Barneys Ridge and the parking lot at Fish Dam overlook is in sight. It's only 5pm. A quick self-assessment and I decide I'm too tired to go for the 3 hour drive home in the dark. A quick baby wipes bath, a change of clothes, and a drive into Renovo for dinner looks like a good idea.

I stop at the Family Dollar for a lemonade and to ask where best to find the diner food I am craving. Ms. Portia sends me down to Yesterdays Restaurant at the very end of the VERY small town. Yesterdays is a 1950's styled diner/hotel/ice cream establishment that hosts Rotary on Monday nights. I have the restaurant to myself and sit at the counter. It's all black/white check, vinyl albums on the walls, and pictures of Elvis.

From the menu I choose the "Buck Buster" double burger, fries, cole slaw, and Mountain Dew. She hands me the side of cole slaw which disappears almost immediately and I have to wait another 3 minutes for the rest. The burger is indeed double, not nearly as rare as I asked, but I'm
not caring. It comes with cheese, onions, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and a nice fatty sauce stuff I smother it in. By now I have two waitresses and a patron lady watching me eat in stunned amazement. I'm sure I look for all the world like a homeless drifter,,,and a starving one at that. "You sure can eat." says The Patron Lady.

After dinner I drive back to the trailhead, gather what I need, and hike back up into a thicket on Barneys Ridge for the night. Even Trailgaritas can't subdue the caffeine in a couple big glasses of Mountain Dew and I spent a restless night listening to the building wind. The storms started arriving around midnight. The rain arrived at 5am. I was up and out at 6:30 to get coffee at Yesterdays and to start the drive home.

What I learned on this hike:

Yes, we do this for fun!
Don't stand too close to the new guy.
Your "friends" will take compromising photos of your butt.
Good Ole Boys are chock full of humorous potential...
...So are your hiking companions.
Spring fed streams are an excellent pick-me-up.
Hemlocks have very thick bark.
Trips encourage gear buying.
Gear buying means more trips. It's an endless loop.
If the group runner sets pace, prepare to sweat.
Spiders do NOT taste like chicken.
Texting drunk at 1am is fun.
Thunderstorms on a ridge at 3am are not.
Great companions make for a perfect trip.


Pics at: http://community.webshots.com/user/chillawilla”

“Thanks LMG. These boys have NO problem getting partially naked. Highly recommended bunch, eye candy wise. ;)”

“Spindlette, great trip report. After reading that now I want to go back and hike the East loop. The 3 times I've hiked the CKT it was always on the West loop.

That snake skin looks like it came off a timber rattlesnake. I saw one just like it a few weeks ago across a trail in the local woodlands here.”

“RichB, hike it in the counterclockwise direction. I don't think I'd want to go the other way. ;)

Thanks. I thought timber rattler too, especially with the end missing. It was a recent shed. I like snakes, but I'm glad I missed that one in person.”

“Nice report and pics y'all! Sorry I missed it! Pennsy ~ what happened? Your age catch up with you? :p Hope you are feeling better!

I see a lot of topless male backpackers in those photos. Good work, spindle! ;)”
lilmountaingirl

That's how I got sick. The wrong backpackers were getting naked.


Excellent trip report, Spindle and great pics Calmy. Spindle, I missed the snakeskin pic my first time through. Cool! I would have loved to see the darlin live and in person. I wanna go back. When's the revenge trip?”

“that snakeskin looks to be from a timber rattler.”

“When's the revenge trip?” Pennsy

Next spring methinks. And from my point of view the right backpackers were getting nekkid.

That section of snakeskin was about 2.5 feet in length and about 1.5 inches in diameter,,,I picked it up to have a good look. There's an impressively large snake up in those rocks. We'll look for him next time.”

“just keep Pennsy at bay. He has a habbit of touching snakes.”

“As long as he doesn't keep them, fine.”