Two Trailheads and the Trail that Links them TR

“Early last week, there were no trip plans in the works, but the weekend was shaping up to be nice and it just seemed like it was a perfect weekend to get out. I asked Pennsy if he wanted to hike and he said he was chomping at the bit for a hike.

He wanted some hills and mileage and I thought the Link Trail in central PA sounded like the trick.

A plan was formulated. We would hike south from the thousand stairs trail, near Mapleton, PA to Three Springs, PA. It was aproximately a 24 mile hike. With some good hills. Jmitch warned us that there was some forest road walking, but that the views were excellent. The stage was set, the weekend weather was looking to be perfect, with the exception of some heavy winds.

Saturday morning I met up with Bruce just after 8am at the Three Springs trailhead. We promptly shuttled up to the trailhead at the Thousand Stairs. We geared up and started to look for the orange blazes for the link trail. We could find the trail to Thousand Stairs, but the Link Trail was nowhere to be found. We drove through Mapleton and saw the blazes through town, so we knew we were close. I figured it followed the Thousand Stairs Trail to 22 and then the Juniata River into Mapleton.

Pennsy and I crossed over US 22 and then down the embankment of the highway to the river and we started to follow the river.

The river was looking very pretty Saturday morning. It was moving swiftly through Jack's Narrows and had an emerald green color. I was thought of how cool the Juniata River would be to paddle.

We could tell we were definately not on the trail, but we knew the trail crossed the river on a road bridge a mile from the trailhead, so we continued to follow it until we hit some thick brush. We then climbed back up the embankment to 22 and followed 22 and then 655 into Mapleton where we finally found the trail.

We hiked through Mapleton and then into the woods where we were finally on a trail and off the roads. The trail was climbing steadily, but gradually and we hiked into a beautiful hemlock forest with some pretty runs.

After a mile or so, we started the steep ascent to Jacks Mountain. It was a steep buttkicking and rocky climb. It seemed like it went on forever, not many climbs like that in PA. We had to stop a couple times to catch our breath. It was what we wanted though.

Finally we reached the top and we were rewarded with an amazing vista known as windy vista. It looks north and west towards the Narrows. I was blown away by it.

From there it was a rocky ridge walk typical of the Pennsylvania ridge and valley. The trail was lined with mountain laurel and moss and it looked very pretty. The sun was shining, but clouds were racing acrossed the sky. The wind was howling, but we were pretty well protected in the trees. The trail then became a grassy forest road and continued to follow the crest of the ridge.

Occasionally we would cross open utility line swaths which apparently lead to views, but we continued on our way. We were making good time.

We stopped for lunch where the trail turned onto one of the swaths and descended into a shallow saddle. There was a small stream at the bottom of the saddle and we filled our water bottles.

The slope on the otherside of the stream was very steep and we started up it and it was a short, but tough climb. Luckily the trail turned into the woods before it got intensely steep and we followed a dirt road to the top that was gradual.

The climb to Silver Mine Knob was very steep and rocky and was probably the hardest climb on the entire section, but the view at the top was nice and we signed the register and then followed the side trail to the Throne Room Vista which was amazing and was definately one of the finest I have encounted in PA. Looking down at the valley below, made me feel like I was pretty high up, this feeling is uncommon in PA's mountains, but we were around 2500 feet and the valley of the Juniata is around 500 feet. There were ridges that went off intot he horizon in all directions. It was gorgeous. This would be a great spot on a warm afternoon to sit on the rocks and relax.

From there we hiked across Silver Mine Knob, past a few more over looks and then out onto a huge talus slope that was completely exposed to the wind. Hiking acrossed it was fun and challenging, except when a massive wind gust would almost knock you off your feet.

stay tuned for part II”

“The Talus slope is known as Hall of the Mountain King and it encompasses the saddle between Silver Mine Knob and Butler Knob.The views from the Mountain King were almost as amazing as the Throne Room.

We took our time crossing the Mountain King as it was fairly treacherous, especially considering the intense wind.

Once we were back in the woods we entered some areas that had recently been forested and were fenced in with dear exclosures, were able to get through the fencing through gates.

We missed the fire tower atop Butlers Knob, where we had hoped to camp. Apparently there is a pretty good view from the fire tower, but we continued on past the hunting camps and we were walking on yet another forest road, this time a gravel road. The blazing became very sparse and we started to think we were no longer on the trail.

Then, a pick up truck was approaching us on the road and it was pulling an ATV on a trailer. We flagged the driver down and asked if we were still on the trail. He didn't know much about the trail and he didn't know of any places to camp, but he said that there was a trail sign not too far away and he offered to give us a ride there.

Pennsy climbed up onto the back of the trailer and I climbed onto the seat of the ATV and he pulled us a mile down the road to the parking lot where the trail sign was. Along the way we passed some blazes, so we atleast knew we were going in the right direction. He let us off and continued on his way and we hiked a short distance up the trail, which was another dirt road and then found a place to camp in a grassy area a little ways off the trail.

We made sure it was protected from the winds, which were still howling. The spot we found had good protection from the wind. There were small pine trees around and we set up in between the trees. There was also lots of deadfall and we able to get a really good fire going.

We had dinner as it was getting dark and then polished off a flask of the best mint schnapps I have ever had. The night sky was crystal clear and the stars were out in force.

We decided to go to bed before nine and I crawled into my bivvy sack and left the top open so I could stare up at the stars.

Directly above me was O'Ryan and the big dipper was visible too. The sky was beautiful and I watched a shooting star as it dashed acrossed the sky. It wasn't long and I was fast asleep.

The next morning we were up around 730 and it was colder than the day before. We packed up and had breakfast and then continued on our way. The trail was rocky all the way into Hoopers Gap. The climb out of Hoopers Gap was a long buttkicking 1000 foot climb, but from there it was a gradual dirt road walk into Three Springs and we had a nice view from the road as we descended.

We got back down to the trailhead before 11 and had a good cheap lunch in Mt. Union.

All in all it was a great hike. The views were amazing. The road walking was disapointing, but the hike was what the doctor ordered and I had a great time.

I hoep to find the fire tower the next time I am there on Butler Knob in May.”

“my toes and ankle are still killing me. Dang Pa rocks.

great pics ENS, but way too many of that Pennsy character. ;o)”

“Great Pics Rob!”

“Nice TR. I am living vicariously through you two tonight. And your description of O'Ryan (Orion) made me smile. I guess it is nearly St. Patrick's Day. ;)”

“Great pictures and trip report. I'll have to get down there and do some hiking in that area.”

“Nice pics and report. Looks like you had some great vistas along the way.”

“very nice PA hiking. :)

I was chomping at the bit for a hike this past weekend too, but had to work. The stars were incredible at night.”

“great report and pics. much of the trail will be relocated off of the dirt roads in the future.”

“hey Amyg!!! Hope to see ya on the trail sometime! Got lots of PA trips going.

That's what I figured Jmitch. Even though the Link Trail was originally built in the 70's, it's virtually a new trail. They should give it a new name too.”

“yeah...we missed you at FYAO. :)”

“There's a great group of people who are working on the link trail, i just wrapped up their 501c3. Shelters, camping platforms, and scenic re-routes are all moving forward.

The section from Greenwood Furnace to 1000 Steps is one of the best in the state. Little roadwalking, great views, lots of isolation and great features. I can't wait to hike it again.”

“wow..shelters and camping platforms? That's a lot of work! I haven't hiked this trail, but it sounds like its going to be [even more] incredible when it's complete.

nice tip, jm.
:)”

“yeah and the coolest part of the Link Trail is it is a Link between the North Country Trail and the Appalachian Trail (in conjuction with the Tuscarora and Midstate trails). When all is said and done, you'll be able to hike from Badlands to Katahdin.”

“hey Amy, if you're still chomping at the bit this weekend, you can come up and hike with us on the Loyalsock/Link loop. We're meeting at 9 tomorrow in Worlds End State Park and then camping tomorrow night along the Loyalsock Creek (allegedly at the supa-secret Bobo campsite) and then finishing up on Sunday. Maybe the last snowwy hike of the year.”

“I had no idea the link was that profound! Very cool.

I wish I could get out this weekend, but I'm pulling a 24 at the rescue squad on Saturday...and SUNDAY is the BANFF Mtn Film Fest in Bethlehem! No wonder I am dateless for this thing...all the "real" backpackers will be OUT this weekend! ;)

Have fun!”

“where and what time is the Fest and what time should I pick you up? *wink wink*”