West Rim Trail Fall Spectacular

“I hope to hit this trail during peak fall color. I think it will be awesome. The Grand Canyon of PA is a natural masterpiece. This will be a 30 mile backpack and both planned campsites are amongst the best in PA.”

“wasn't this the one you had listed last yr that never happened? I know I wanted to make this hike but airline connections to Pa sucked”

“Move it back a week!

I'm planning on doing the CT/NY stretch of the AT the week before . . . and of course you're welcome to join in. Right now it's looking like a solid week of 20+ mile days. Should be right up your alley.”

“Ewker - try again. I live in York, PA and one hour from Baltimore (BWI) Int. Airport. Southwest flies there from BNA, good prices too. I'll pick you up. You'd probably have to fly in Thursday night and home Monday morning. I've been wanting to do this trail for a long time and I hope this time I get it. I think it will make for an amazing fall trip.

NoGranola, I'd love to, but I want to hit up the WRT on this weekend because it is peak color. I want to see the canyon in full fall regalia. Have fun on your NY/CT trip, that section is a doozie. Pennsy and I dubbed it the "speed bumps from hell" section and you'll soon see why. I hope you go down St. John's Ledge instead of up it.”

“I should be able to make it...I had planned to hike another canyon (the big one in Arizona) that same weekend but they fell through since we couldn't get a backcountry permit (they got over 700 permit requests the day October permits became available).

Also, if Ewker or anybody else needs a ride from BWI, it's on my way from Columbia, MD, so it wouldn't be a problem for me to make a pick-up.”

“cool beans.. I hope the trip hurries up and gets here. I can't wait.”

“Speed bumps? For you and Pennsy? Maybe we should re-think the mileage . . .”

“I was wondering if we could stash a vehicle at the Bradley Wales picnic area and place some beer in a cooler there.”

“we also need a permit. The person who gets there the earliest on Friday should get the permit I believe those can be gotten at Pine Creek Outfitters. We can probably also get one in the mail.”

“Permits should be obtained in advance. They are available from the forest distrist office. Given the time available they should be available by mail. Permits can be obtained over the phone (Tioga District office # 570-724-2868) and mailed out. The last I knew the itinery and group size needed to be given to the district office to be included on the permit. The last time I hiked the trail I believe a permit was required for groups over ten people and for any camping within the gorge. Since I was just with my son and I did not camp within the Gorge I was not affected. Pine Creek Outfitters is at the other end of the trail.

According to the trail guide there is room for about 6 cars at Bradley Wales.

What time and where are we meeting at Blackwell?”

“I will call for a permit tomorrow.

Hmm, maybe we can stash some beer in a car a Bradley Wales.

I won't be getting to Blackwell until around 930. If people can meet before then, that is cool. I work until 630 that night and it's roughly a 3 hour drive.

The hike into camp is under a mile and a half. since the MST has been relocated, I am not sure the new name of the trail, I think it should be called the Bohen Run Spur, so I will refer to that, since camping will be where Bohen Run and Pine creek waters meet. Last time I hiked through there at night, I almost stepped on a timber rattle snake, a real beaut too and quite docile. The campsite is one of the best I have ever seen and it is in my current top 5 list of all time campsites.

I'd like to check out Barber Rocks on Sunday.”

“Ok folks... here it is....
Been looking at some of the pictures and I am getting concerned. I am a 55 year old geezer and haven't been backpacking for five years or more. I am experienced and have all the equipment I need. But I am trying to recover my hiking form. My biggest problem, outside of my age and lack of general conditioning is very simple. I have always been a turtle. And the fact that my feet are bad is not helping any. I am looking at a 15 mile finish on Sunday and thinking to myself there is no way I am going to be able to do that in less than 12 hours realisticly. I can get to the trailhead on Friday but would need a ride back to milton on Sunday. (On the way for anyone connecting with US15 to go south.) But I really don't know how long it would take me to make that trek on Sunday. I would hate to make anyone wait for me in the lot in Ansonia.

There... I have vented my fear. I am not pulling out yet, but if anyone has any insight or observations on this... let me know. I am going to see if I can get a partner who could resolve the transportation problems but I am not sure if that will happen.

Barbour Rocks is about three miles from the Northen Terminus. For me to see that in the daylight would probably be a challenge. Anyway... give me your thoughts.”

“Hey Rev, I'm a 53 year old geezer from Baltimore......going south.

Oh yeah, over the hill too but conditioned enough to keep up with most of these guys.

I should turn up my leg work a bit in preparation for this one.”

“the mileage is going to be 13-15 for Saturday and Sunday, but with the exception of a 1000 foot climb out of the gorge on Saturday, we don't have any real climbs and the climb on Saturday isn't too bad because it's spaced out.

Alot of times people hike their own hike and then we regroup at vistas and lunch, rest, water or snack breaks.”

“"......Saturday isn't too bad because it's spaced out."

Yeah, like..........I'm hip, dude!”

“Ok....
Unless the medical stuff I am dealing with atm gets in the way, I am in for the ride. You've been warned. If it helps anyone out, we can provide housing/floorspace/yard space for anyone needing to spend Thursday evening ahead or Sunday before heading home. We are about two hours from Blackwell right off Rt 15. Let me know and even if I have to pull out for medical reasons I can make that available.”

“thanks much.

we can always shuttle accordingly too.”

“Ramblinrev, where would that put you, Liverpool?”

“Put's me in Milton.

I am essentially across the river from Lewisburg.”

“OK, you must drive slow then... ;)

Do you do much hiking on the Mid State Trail? That's not too far from you.”

“I have not been doing much backpacking for several years. I have been having real problems with my feet, to the point where I could barely walk around the house. But I have made significant progress and just got back from a three mile walk with the dog. I did it in about an hour. I've came a long way from where I was. So I am familiar with parts of the Midstate trail, but only small bits and pieces.

My wife sees no point in the concept of backpacking and any kids who saw any benefit in it are gone so I haven't had a hiking partner. I have been very concerned about being out on my own in the last few years because my medical issues were unstable. But that is being worked on and I really want to get back in the woods and out on the trail.

So there is the long answer to the question.

As far as how long it takes for me to get to Blackwell.... eh... I'd leave two hours ahead if I had to be there by a certain time, but I haven't had to... so I really don't know. I do know Liverpool is about 35-40 min south of us.”

“I do quite a bit of traveling on US 15 between the Harrisburg area and Tioga County so I now even know how to do things like bypass Shamokin Dam when the traffic gets too heavy. :)

You might want to check out the Otzinachson Group of the Sierra Club http://pennsylvania.sierraclub.org/Otzinachson/Events/events.html to get out on day hikes between the trips these guys set up on here...”

“oh yeah? there is a bypass of Shamokin Dam? I get stuck in that town everytime I go hiking up there.”

“Northbound, turn right just past the Sheetz, turn right again, then left just past the Sheetz on 522 south. Turn right past the Chevy dealer (don't get back on 11-15 south or go over the bridge) on SR 1015. Go straight at the old purple schoolhouse instead of bearing left on the SR. Bear right at the next stop sign, then left at the next all-way stop. Keep going straight and you'll rejoin US 15 at Winfield.

Southbound is the reverse. :)

Also, in recent traffic news the old bridge at Williamsport has been obliterated. Northbound detours around city blocks in Williamsport, bad news. Take the I-180 instead (my favorite way is to take 15 through Lewisburg then I-80 east, stay in the right lane over the bridge then 2nd offramp).

Southbound, the direct exit from US 15 south/US 220 north/I-280 east to US 15 south is open. You don't have to chicane around the Wegmans anymore, southbound. On my last drive they didn't have the sign up yet for this ramp, only a movable digital letter thing.”

“Better to bite the bullet and put up with the traffic till the 15/11 split. take 11 across the river to a left on 147N this turns into I180 near Milton . Its a straight shot northbound.”

“I always get worse clogs in Shamokin Dam/Hummels Wharf and crossing the bridge into Northumberland than I've ever gotten in Lewisburg, which seems strange but also borne out by a few others who drive that regularly.

The 147/I-180 route is just sooo much longer in actual distance that the speed just hasn't in actual experience made up in time for heading straight thru on 15. Except now, northbound, while the new northbound ramp from US 15 to 15/220/180 still terminates in mid-air.”

“as one who travels Rt11 between Hummel's Wharf and Northumberland more times a week than I care to admit... Rt 11 across the river is _HORRIBLE_. I have been backed up for miles on that road. Rt 11 is a major truck route for now and the light there at Rt 11 and 147 is just the pits. It was not intended to handle that much truck traffic. If there is a shadow of doubt, I take rt15 north into Lewisburg.

The bridge situation is Williamsport is attrocious. But then when I head over to the Pine Creek area I take Rt 44 over the speed bumps. My little Chevy Metro with its three cylnder chipmunk power manages to get up there fine but I run their little legs off going downhill the other side. (Kind of like riding a fixed gear bike down a steep hill.)”

“The quick way to get to Blackwell is 15 north from Williamsport to get off at Liberty and take PA 414, but getting up to the Turkey Ranch in a Metro might be a little daunting.

287 north from Jersey Shore to Morris attacks the hills a little more gradually and still is shorter by a good chunk than 44 to 414. If you turn left directly on top of the Lycoming/Tioga county line, the gravel Dixie Run Road is a short cut bypassing Morris if you're on the way to Blackwell or Stony Fork.”

“now then... let's be honest... have you ever tried to find replacement chipmunks while on the superhighway section of Rt 15? Whereas the backroads have them in plentiful supply.

And it is much more fun to hold up traffic climbing the hills on Rt 44. That opportunity does not really exist on Rt.15.”

“I remember driving a Metro on I-24 from Nashville to Chattanooga after the airport rental agency claimed that was all they had (clearly it was, for me...).

I think I still was able to hold up traffic on Monteagle Mountain (which if you trace back far enough is really the Allegheny Front also!)”

“What are the usual night time lows for that time of year?”

“probably in the mid 30s to mid 40s, daytime highs in the mid 50s to low 70s.”

“Nice weather for a campfire.”

“Unfortunately, the state forests have some pretty funky regs regarding campfires.

§ 21.62. Open fires.
(b) Open fires are prohibited when the forest-fire danger is determined by the District Forester to be High, Very High or Extreme and from March 1 through May 25 and from October 1 through December 1 without authorization from the District Forester or a designee. This prohibition does not apply to small self-contained camp stoves when used in a safe manner.”

“if there is a lot of rain in the days before the trip, they'll let us have a fire. I called and checked into it. We have to call before and get a ranger's blessing though..

ooh that reminds me, I need to call about the permit.”

“Hey ENS

what's your secret my man? i mean all the trips and free time...r u in school, seriously bro? i really miss doing many trips...it's really cool that you go so often. doing my best to head to Whites end of Sep. and getting my food prep scd safe. have done mostly the Carter range, some Fraconia NOtch, and almost everything north near coos. LEt me know what places you loved there, looking for something different. Caribou Speckled Mtn. is a must btw for a day hike or longer, nothing like it. anyway, perhaps we will meet sooner then later...how far are you from rydal/philly?”

“Not Married, no kids = lots of trips!!! You lucky dog!! Keep it up my man!!”

“he is lucky. i'm not married, well only to work, and have no kids. sht, where did things go wrong!?:)”

“Sorry...I'm gonna have to back out.”

“I have gotten some more understanding of the medical issues I am dealing with. They will prevent me from being able to do the hike. I took a practice hike today and it is very clear that I should not attempt it at this time. With reluctance I withdraw.

The bright side is that two years ago I could barely walk across the room in my house. Yesterday I rode 25 miles on the bike and today managed a couple of miles of a very steep climb. Not bad progress in my opinion.”

“I'm sorry to hear there. Keep watch on the trips page and maybe you can join us another time!

Glad you're making progress though!”

“I am tentatively planning to join you at Masten. Figure if nothing else I can sit in the campsite, tend the fire and make sure the beer stays warm.

:)”

“backpacking permit attained”

“Word.


Hey, thats my 1st post in like 6 months !!”

“word 'em up!

now we need to get Pennsy to keep his bike on the rack and put the pack on his back...

and go hiking with us.
last edited: 10/04/06 8:11:12 PM”

“weather is looking decent for this weekend.

Jackstraw, if you can go, want to carpool? I plan on pulling out of York at 630 friday night. I hope to be at the meeting spot by 10 Friday night. I guess we should meet at the northern trailhead.”

“Still not looking too good at this point . I'll know later in the week.”

“lol, that's a good one JS!

I just got the permit in the mail today.”

“Bums....”

“hey Mark, you should join us!”