Seven Mtns Traverse- MST Trip Report (P A)

“Met up with Patsquatch, Mike, Rob and Amanda from the NEOH hiking club to hike a 32 mile section of the MST from Siglerville-Millhiem Pike to PA 26. Had a great time on a great trail.

Sat started off cloudy but began to clear to reveal a beautiful day. The gradual descent down Green Run Valley was scenic with some stream crossings with hemlocks and rhododendron. Next was a rocky climb that reminded me of the Catskills to the ridge with some nice views of the clearing sky.

The trail descends and passes through a culvert under US 322, I love that part, and I soon met up with the group. We hiked back up the ridge with more great views and descended steeply to scenic Penn Roosevelt State Park. We rested there as the others sang Justin Timberlake songs and soaked their feet in the lake. With the weather on Sunday looking ominous, we decided to push on to camp near Bear Meadows.

Another climb over the ridge followed- although these climbs may be 500- 600 vertical feet, they get steeper as you reach the top, making them challenging. We descended to awesome Detweiler Run, everyone loved this part- incredible old growth hemlock forest with rhododendron jungles and some sublime campsites. Absolutely beautiful.

We climbed over the ridge again and descended towards Bear Meadows where we camped in a meadow near a spring- excellent site with spruce and rhododendron. We hiked 21 miles that day.

On Sunday we climbed back up to the ridge and the weather was turning. We meandered through beautiful Big Laurel Flat and reached the best vista of the hike, Indian Wells, but it was largely fogged in. The rest of the trail followed the ridge, but all the great vistas were socked in. The rugged terrain and knife ridges on the Jackson Trail were very challenging in the rain and wind.

Had an excellent time, the MST is such a fine trail. Met some great people this weekend. I'll try to post some pics later.”

“Glad it was a good hike. Sounds stunning.

Timberlake? Lake fumes made them go mental? ;>”

“that sounds like a really nice and interesting stretch of trail.. really need to get up that way!

Great Report!”

“Everytime he hikes, it rains.”

“Sounds like a great hike. Looking forward to the pics.”

“I think, first time doing this.

http://community.webshots.com/user/jmitchell18657”

“Nice pics. They are working fine.”

“As I remember it them's some of the meanest rocks in the state. We did that stretch in a torrential downpour (meaning over 8" of rain in 24 hours) and those rocks were hell bent on cracking some skulls.

Otherwise I'm sure that's a wonderful stretch of trail.”

“wow, jmitch, nice webshots!!! Sweet Pics! Love the MST!”

“Nice report and pictures. I have to get down that way and hike some of that trail.”

“Rich, hope to see you on the trail soon. You'll really like this trail.”

“I'll be out backpacking soon and I've been out day hiking. I've mountain biked in that area near the MST, but only did a little bit of hiking there.”