Standing Stone Trail: part of Great East ern Trail

“Link Trail maintenance
“I did a hike today from the Butler Knob fire tower to Silvermine Knob...the trail was in TERRIBLE shape! It looked like it hasn't been cleared since our trail care crew was there a few years ago. I was told there is a maintainer but I think they're slacking. I'm going up there within a week to do the clean-up...that's way too nice a section to leave that way! I'll let y'all know when it's cleared. Sorry to ENS and Pennsy...you guys did your first hike and the trail had to look like that? How was the rest of the trail you guys hiked??? I'll do what I can to fix that section of trail!
last edited: 3/07/06 9:49:30 PM”
lordlink
9:46:47 PM
3/07/06
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“there was some extensive road walking in that section, but I understand that will be re-routed. The climb up silvermine knob was over grown, but the blazing was good. The view from the Throne Room and Hall of the mountain king were excellent! We enjoyed the hike except for all the road walking. But I hear there are big plans in the works for the Link.”
EarthNsky
10:32:32 PM
3/07/06
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“you'll find the section from Greenwood to the steps more hiker friendly...it always has been. I think there have been more dedicated maintainers there. Also more access for short hikes and such.”
lordlink
9:49:16 AM
3/10/06
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“rocky ridge area is really nice...
last edited: 3/10/06 9:55:10 AM”
lordlink
9:52:50 AM
3/10/06
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One fewer Link Trail
“By Presidential proclamation:

TO: LINK TRAIL HIKING CLUB, INC BOARD

SUBJECT: NAME CHANGE

EFFECTIVE THIS DATE, JANUARY 12, 2007, THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE TRAIL AND CLUB SHALL BE:

- TRAIL - STANDING STONE TRAIL

- CLUB - STANDING STONE TRAIL CLUB, INC.

BY BALLOTING THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP AND A VOTE OF THE CLUB BOARD, THE TRAIL NAME CHANGE WAS APPROVED. IT FOLLOWS THAT THE NAME OF THE CLUB SHOULD INDICATE THE AFFILIATION WITH THE STANDING STONE TRAIL. THEREFORE, THE NAME OF THE CLUB HAS ALSO CHANGED.

ALL COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD NOW INDICATE THE NEW NAMES. THE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICES WILL BE OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED BY MAIL.THE KEYSTONE TRAIL ASSOCIATION, CENTRAL PA CONSERVANCY, AND MID-ATLANTIC FOOT TRAILS COALITION (AS PART OF THE GREAT EASTERN TRAIL) SHOULD CONSIDER THIS EMAIL AS OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. A SPECIAL LETTER WILL BE FORWARDED TO ALL CLUB MEMBERS ADVISING THEM OF THE CHANGES.

HAVING CONCLUDED THE CHANGE OF NAMES THE CONTEST TO DESIGN A PATCH FOR THE TRAIL IS NOW ACTIVATED. THE PRIZE FOR THE SELECTED PATCH IS $50, A DONATION FROM THE PAST PRESIDENT, MIKE SAUSSER. THIS CONTEST IS LIMITED TO CLUB MEMBERS (AND FAMILIES). A SELECTION COMMITTEE WILL BE ANNOUNCED AND THE CLOSING DATE ESTABLISHED.

CARL E LORENCE, PRESIDENT
STANDING STONE TRAIL CLUB, INC.”
ki0eh
11:43:06 PM
1/12/07
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“that's pretty interesting.

Anyother new developments with the trail, like relocation (off dirt roads), building of shelters and campsites?”
EarthNsky
5:00:48 PM
1/15/07
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“bump”
EarthNsky
8:09:44 AM
1/16/07
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“I read that they are building a shelter on Jacks Mountain. True?”
EarthNsky
11:26:48 AM
1/16/07
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“bump”
EarthNsky
12:14:44 PM
1/19/07
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“Possible shelter site is on Stone Mtn between hawk watch and Rocky Ridge, as far as I can discern.

There has been detailed scouting for many, much more interesting, re-routes: mostly between Mapleton and Three Springs with some elsewhere. I don't know how the necessary approvals from land managers or private landowners are going.

Other possibilities are a new domain for the website and the ever hopeful idea of new hiking maps.”
ki0eh
3:29:51 PM
1/19/07
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“I'm thinking of joining the club and getting involved. I want to see it turn into a premier trail. I really like the Link, but I was a little disappointed with the camping options (lack there of) in the middle section, as well as all the dirt road walking.”
EarthNsky
5:30:45 PM
1/19/07
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“Ouch, my feet hurt just thinking about that long downhill road walk we did last year.

I like the new name. Now we won't get it confoozed with the Link Trail in World's End. Of course, we're gonna call it the SST and we might confooze it with the TST (Thunderswamp Trail). ;o)”
Pennsy
6:12:58 PM
1/19/07
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“Ouch, my feet hurt just thinking about that long downhill road walk we did last year.

I like the new name. Now we won't get it confoozed with the Link Trail in World's End. Of course, we're gonna call it the SST and we might confooze it with the TST (Thunderswamp Trail). ;o)”
Pennsy

yeah, that 5 mile long descent into Three Spring.

Alot of road walking around Butler Knob. The views from Throne Room and Hall of the Mountain King are some of the most superb in PA. When the trail is complete though there, it'll be a gem and attract alot more hikers for sure. Right now, it's not real hiker friendly through there. Around the fire tower, you're walking past delapidated trailers and residences. I'd love to see the trail off the roads in the middle section.

I've not hiked any of it below three springs.”
EarthNsky
6:31:29 PM
1/19/07
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“We need to start a thread, the Standing Stone Trail.”
EarthNsky
6:43:33 PM
1/19/07”

“
Greenwood Furnace State Park to Juniata River (Thousand Stairs)


Juniata River to Three Springs
last edited: 1/19/07 6:05:49 PM”

“Standing Stone Trail Club cares for the footpath from the end of Greenwood Spur down to Tuscarora Trail http://geocities.com/linktrail”

“This has got to be the weirdest thread.

It's like ENS is talking to his other self.”

“lol

hi how are you?

I'm ok. what are you doing?

nothing. Just reading about the former Link Trail, now Standing Stone Trail.”

“stop that ENS, you're freaking me out!

that's some good info on the SST, once I read the entire thread and figured out what you were talking about!”

“A quick update - we now have our own URL at: www.hike-sst.org - lots of current data there. We completed our Master Plan and will start on it in 07 at Cove Mtn with a switchback.. Trailcare for the Old Timers is the second Wed of each month - club trailcare is the next to last Sat of each month. Wilderness First Aid and Erosion Control Training dates on the web. First shelter will be on Jacks Mtn in the extreme southwest corner of Rothrock. Working to make Three Springs a "Trailtown" with Mapleton & others next. Membership applicaton on the web. Trail has been GPS'd & AT class maps are forthcoming in a couple of years - JOIN UP - WE CAN USE THE HELP FOR THE 24 SECTIONS. And yes, we are part of the Great Eastern Trail (GET) from Florida to upper NY State. Carl Lorence
last edited: 2/24/07 9:57:18 PM”

“thanks for the info. the updated website looks nice.”

“just caught this thread...I heard they were going to change the name and re-route some trail. Guess they're on the "path"...that's a dandy trail...especially the Silver Mine Knob area. Stunning views! I hope they route it through Scrub Gap...bear heaven!”

“MAPS of Standing Stone Trail are now available:
http://www.hike-sst.org/sst-maps.htm”

“thanks for posting those.”

“I was thinking this was about Standing Stone Park in Tenn
last edited: 5/10/07 11:10:54 AM”

“Is this standing stone actually a big rock in the middle of the river? My dad grew up in Pa at a place either called Standing Stone or near a landmark called Standing Stone. I once went there when I was very young. The house had no electricty and we had to take our baths either in a big metal tub in the living room or in the creek.

That might be fun to go hike that trail someday if it is the same place.”

“I think the big rock in the river is in northern Pa's Bradford County. Jmitch??

The historic "Standing Stone" the former Link Trail has been renamed for, was in or very near present day Huntingdon, PA, the county seat for the county most of SST is in. Apparently the original stone disappeared but the creek nearby kept its name and so does the mountain at its headwaters, SST traverses the mountain.

There's no need to be disappointed though, the trail still has plenty of rocks--some even standing to greet you.”

“

“I was thinking this was about Standing Stone Park in Tenn,"
Ewker

Ha, that place gave me a good laugh. The Standing Stone is 35-40 miles away from the State Park. It is in Monterey. That and misinformation about rates and trails caused me to leave that Park and look for another place to pitch my tent for the night.”

“Standing Stone (in the Susquehanna) is in Bradford County.

Excellent maps. The section from Greenwood Furnace to US 22 is one of PA's best trails.”

“http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/gsaabstr/standstone.aspx

More Standing Stones in PA (these are actually quite near the south end of Mid State Trail): http://www.4qf.org/_StoneCircle/index.htm

Finally, the one at issue: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_Stone_Creek

And this link that also embraces the one in Tennessee: http://www.nativestones.com/ss.htm”

“Nice.

That will make a great patch, too.”

“that is a neat logo!

Is there any update on the placement of shelters along the trail and relocation of the trail off forest roads?”

“also, the roadwalk in Juniata Gap, near Thousand Stairs is very long.”

“The patch should be available in a couple of weeks. I couldn't figure out how to make an image appear in a message, so thanks for extracting it!

Not sure what's meant by "a roadwalk in Juniata Gap," the SST is on roads crossing the river bridge and thru Mapleton borough but then is not. It's not on US 22 but parallels it on a dinkie track well above the roadway. There is a long roadwalk from Three Springs to Meadow Gap but that starts some 20 mi. south of the Steps??

The only relocation to date is a long series of switchbacks on Cove Mtn. near the south end to cut the grade on the south/east side coming up from the Forbes Road trail.

The other route improvements planned (of which there are many, especially on Game Lands) depend first on bureaucratic (i.e. slow) approvals, and then on volunteer labor to implement them (can be very slow if people don't show up to do the work).

Which reminds me, there is a workday coming up this weekend, advertised on the web site http://www.hike-sst.org...
last edited: 10/15/07 5:21:51 PM”

“hey, sorry about the delay on getting back to your email. I am working on it.”

“the photos are sent... I hope I got the right ones. I added some from the central section, Windy Vista, Hall of the Mountain King, Throne Room Vista, Hoopers Gap vista.. etc.”

“Got any good adjectives to describe the Throne Room?”

“Let me bump this question over all the "new gear" threads...”

“better than 180 degree view.

Jmitch's book says it is the best view in PA. I agree.”