Black Forest Trail Trip Report

“This is the first trip I have ever posted. I have been able to get out with some folks in the MNF and Mt Rogers, but it looks like the attendance will be a bit lower for this one. Part of me wanted to scrap the plans and go hunting for someone who says no to granola, in order to catch up with the MST trip, but there is that voice deep down inside that says “go for it” - so Patsquach (that’s me) is going to have a quiet rainy weekend. I might as well experiment on myself.

The pre-trip planning has gone well (I guess) perhaps something will need to be changed in hindsight. I did move the trip back a day in order to try to win $100 of gear at the new REI store in Pittsburgh. I did meet a lot of folks and it was good to get connected with some more backpackers. There are a lot of people associated with different groups who like to get out a little longer, but they just don’t know how to connect or that they are not alone. So I'll tell’em to check TT. Anyway, Patsquach didn’t win the $100, but I test-drove? A new ba sleeping bag (I actually want more girth) and got some peak power canisters real cheap. Heck, it’s all on sale!! Whoo-hoo, pile it on, sell my car!!! I had to get out of there. Another voice was telling me how much I “needed” everything I looked at. Met a nice girl in the check-out line too, but I still had to get out of there. Perhaps I will hang out in that check-out line more often. And it’s raining here already so in my impatient state I’m driving on the berm to get to work and finish my half-day before heading out. Looks like an 11 PM camp set up in the rain tonight, with people getting stupid (like me) driving crazy in the rain. A lot of people were waving at me too. I guess they just wanted to say hello…


10-7-05 OK. So I arrive at the trailhead around 11:30 PM, almost 5 hours after leaving Pittsburgh for a 4-hour drive. Oh well, at least I made it. I could have wrecked my Honda on the rocks that were falling down onto Route 44, but after dodging the first one (I went back and cleared it) I was ready for the rest of it.

I set up my shell at the 0.5 (or so) camp above Slate Run. Nice sites, even in the rain and dark. Hanging a food bag in the dark and rain is never fun/easy.

10-8-05. I crossed Slate Run at 8:50 AM on a rainy day. It was not a driving rain, and the physical effort of carrying the load on my back and climbing the trail will keep me plenty warm. That’s what I like about synthetic materials – they insulate even when wet. Believe me; I was wet even when it was not raining.

I got to the overlook at Mile 2 where the rock was quarried. I looked across to see the overlook at Mile 40.67. I included the pictures.

Climbing down the rocks to Red Run was no fun at all in the rain. The rocks were very slippery and my knees were punished. I spent a lot of time preparing for climbs, but I just don’t know how to adequately prepare for the descents. I’ll have to ask around about that one. The knee pain just started on September 24th. I hope this is not a permanent thing. And it happens without the pack on. Time to ask the Doc, I guess.

It seems dumb now, but I didn’t take my glasses off when they fogged up until the next day. Why I didn’t think of it then, I have no idea…. At least it stopped raining around noon.

I crossed paths with 5 folks (spread out) hiking the opposite direction. They had started with 7 and were decreasing. I imagine this loop can do that to a group. Along this section I began to run into the “trail is not the road and the road is not the trail” phenomena. Every time I ran out of trail blazes I was on some road and needed to backtrack. Nothing much, but a few yards off, but it happened all weekend. When I get on a road I just start cruising.

I camped the first day at around Mile13.5 (100 yards shy of the last group reported here). It was a good spot if someone were inclined to light a fire after drenching day on the trail.

10-9-05. After getting started on the second day and deciding to make for Naval Run (Mile 30.84) I wished I had continued on to Mile 16 on the first day. None of the stream crossings were a problem, even after a couple of day’s rain. Things drain petty darn quick up’ ere. The going was easy between 13 and 16. The camp site was nicer at 13.66, but to each their own.

My thinking about Naval Run was not part of original plan. I met Hiker Dave and Hiker John (also from PA) and Dave mentioned getting to Naval Run on the second day. I had planned to camp at 27 on the second night, and then split the remaining 15 miles into 1.5 days. I don’t mind being outside for long periods of time, but knowing I “don’t have to” got me motivated to wrap it up in three. So my trip turned into more of a personal challenge than a reflective period on the trail. It’s all good for me.

So after a day of doing a lot of hiking and noticing everything around me without taking a ton of pictures, I made it to my original camp destination with 3 hours of light left. Dave and John were somewhere behind me at 25.46, limited by John’s knee. John surpassed his own expectations by getting that far. So I climbed down and out of the Callahan Run watershed and topped Hemlock Mountain to get down to Naval Run. On the BFT you have to get up to get down. So true. Anyway, the view from Hemlock Mountain was the best on the trip. I did make it to Naval Run. Very painful on the knees, but worth it. And I probably don’t need to describe what it felt like to don warm, dry, extra cushy socks and sandals at the end of that day.

One note – the entire trail is in great condition apart from some very very minor sections climbing out of Callahan Run. You can’t (shouldn’t) get lost because these are 10 foot sections of loss and the trail follows the stream for the entire climb. So in my mind this is a perfectly marked trail (overall), when you pay attention to the markings/blazes.

I was also hoping to run into some others at Naval Run, be it so popular, but was solo here too. I wasn’t awake long anyway, so it’s not like I would have sat around and chatted the night away. Patsquach tired, need sleep.

10-10-05 I got the idea of having breakfast after climbing out of Naval Run from a family that packed together in the Spring. They were at the top preparing their meals when we came lumbering to the top with full bellies. So this time I made my coffee at the first point where the slope levels off around 1700 feet. I was so happy with my progress that I just stood around in the morning fog with my coffee. I was so still that a porcupine the size of a large dog walked right up to my rock “table” before I said something to give him pause. The thought raced through my mind about the facts/myths surrounding these animals. For a second I couldn’t remember if shooting out their quills was fact or myth. But I already had one cup of coffee and couldn’t care less, after climbing up that ridge. I wish I would have had my camera out to catch his expression when I spoke up. By the time I got it out he had disappeared back into the fog. So that was the start of my day.

Midmorning I crossed two women and their dog traveling the opposite direction. They were finishing up that day also. We didn’t chat much. None of those conversations in passing are very long anyway.

Climbing down to Little Slate Run, the Foster Hollow Trail and the last descent towards Slate Run Road were slow going. By this time I climb faster than I descend. One thing I can do is change out a lot of the heavier gear I’m packing, but by this time I really am worried about my favorite non-skiing activity. So I just took it easy in order to avoid any unnecessary risk.

The overlook at 40.67 makes it all worth while. This time, when I looked across the stream valley, I knew I had hiked all of the ridges on the opposite side. It gives a good feeling of satisfaction. Believe it or not, my last mile or so on the railroad grade brought it all in to perspective, having gone beyond my initial expectations. Instead of wondering around the fall preview of the forest, I was motivated to keep going just to see what I could do. I look forward to going back.

I got back to my car at 4:30 on the third day. My mileage ended up being 13.5, 17.5, and 11. And it only rained for half of my first day, and stayed around 50 degrees the whole time (perfect).

Hiker Dave left a note on my car to tell me they were still alive. Hopefully John’s knee is on the mend but at least I know they made it out.

I had intended to dine at the Waterville Hotel but stopped at the Hotel Manor or Manor Hotel (one of those) in Slate Run. I had expected to find a cheeseburger menu but was shocked to see that they offered filet mignon and crab cakes. I had a fantastic pork chop dinner. There was a great deal of talent and attention to detail in the preparation and presentation of everything I was served. It was actually as good as the menu boasted. It cost more than a cheeseburger, but was worth it by a long shot. I will be back.

One sad note is that I saw a “For Sale” sign at the Waterville Hotel, so it may be gone by the time I get back. Who knows…?


Also - I have been trying to upload my pictures and I get an error mesage for each fil ein the Java Applet. Anyone ever have this problem?”

“Sounds like you had a decent trip. I haven't had a chance to get to my MST TR yet but I hope to have it posted in the next couple of days.”

“great report. BFT is one of my faves. I can't wait to see pics! How was the foliage? I bet the colors were beautiful up there!!

:)”

“Nice trip report. The streams stayed fairly low around here too, even with 3.5 inches of rain. It just shows how dry it has been.”

“I was amazed at how quickly everthing dried up in a day or so. Even one of the small streams I drew water from in the spring was dry after the rains last week had drained. The colors were just starting to come out, and I was not photo oriented (I was mileage driven) but I will try to repost the pictures I did take when I get home today from work.”

“Patrick, glad to hear you enjoyed the BFT. I must admit it is my favorite and where I first fell in love with hiking. As for the Hotel Manor, you're right, great food and presented in a way you wouldn't expect for this area. Pine Creek draws a lot of people from New York City to fly fish, and I guess they cater to this clientelle. And don't worry about the Waterville. The couple that own it now are looking forward to retiring, that's all. I'm sure the next owners will have every intention of keeping it up and running: it's a little gold mine what with fishing and hunting seasons being so popular in that part of Pennsylvania.”

“Great report and pictures, Patrick! Glad to hear that you enjoyed it! One thing definitely changed since we were there: we were able to rock hop Slate Run...not much water flowing. Something that did not change: that metal handtruck! LOL I remember seeing that along the trail. :)

Maybe all of the folks on TT should chip in and purchase the Waterville Hotel...hmmmm I'd definitely add Lager on tap if we did. ;)”

“excellent pics and report”

“Thanks. Being somewhat new I am really not sure what people want to know about. The biggest contribution I can give is to support a three day route by making sure you camp at Naval Run on the second night.”