Wet and Wild- Thunder Swamp Trail (TR)

“Yesterday Richb and I decided to tackle the main loop of the TST for a long dayhike. It was a great trip. Although the trail isn't difficult, the streams were swollen which made for some tough crossings, plus the rocks were often slippery. We passed through hemlock and spruce forests, not to mention some wetlands.

Water seemed to be everywhere, even the smallest creek was gushing.

I decided to save the big crossing of Saw Creek for the end, in case we got wet the car would be close, but since it was getting dark and the creek was high, we decided to bail. It was too risky, and we followed forest roads back to the main road and car. Overall, we did 18.5 miles in 9 hours.

Always great to hike with Richb, his waders are incredible.

It's been a while since I hiked the main loop and I forgot how nice it was. We saw a few other hikers.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/562115147Mzlddu?vhost=outdoors”

“Thanks for posting the TR. Nice pics!

I'm definitely getting out for a dayhike next week, that settles it.”

“Nice pictures and a great hike yesterday. The weather was perfect for hiking, sunny and in the mid 40's. I'm glad we made the decision not to hike down to lower Saw Creek and attempt to cross it. With the water so high several miles upstream it must have been like a river several miles downstream where it picks up even more volume. Even the waders wouldn't have worked down there.
I'm going to work on getting my pictures posted.”

“My pictures.”

“Great pics.

Those waders are excellent, very light, keeps your dry. The cordura for the bottom is a great idea.”

“Thanks, after I fractured my arm falling off a log crossing a stream I started making those waders. A lot safer and worth bringing when stream crossings are an issue.”

“Excellent pics!

Nice waders, Rich! :)

Looks like it was an excellent day for a dayhike.”

“Great pics and report guys! Glad you had such a good day!”

“Nice pics guys. Rich, those waders look awesome, a different design from the ones you had a few years ago?

Saw Creek, I heard they were supposed to rebuild the bridge? If they didn't, smart move on the bail. That section of the creek is rough to cross anytime, with no easy way to get around it.”

“They are the same design just different materials. Those are the first pair I made years ago from blue heat sealed nylon. The silnylon version that you saw came a month later. They weigh one third of the heatsealed nylon, but aren't quite as durable.

Saw creek would have been more like a river down at the crossing yesterday from all the snowmelt and rain.”

“Based on the photos, I take it the bridge over Saw Creek a couple miles from the trailhead has not been rebuilt?”

“No, not to our knowledge.”

“I wonder whether the bridge will ever be rebuilt? At some times of the year, it isn't necessary at all. I have crossed Saw Creek in the summer in the place where the bridge used to be without getting my boots wet - at other times though it's fast and deep - pretty typical for freestone streams in the Poconos.”

“awesome report and pics.”

“Someone said at Backpacker.com that the bridge is scheduled to be rebuilt this spring.”

“I heard that last spring too - meaning, that it was supposed to be rebuilt in the spring/summer of 2007.”

“Enjoyed your pics, you guys...those waders are awesome! You make really great gear, RichB...the cozy you sent me worked perfectly...I loved the feel of it in my bag...

I couldn't tell in from the pictures...do the waders fit over your boots or inside them?”

“The waders go right over your boots, so it's fast and easy to cross streams with them. I'm glad you are enjoying your water bottle cozy.”

“Nice pics guys
Awesome gear as usual Rich
My buddy Bob and I got that trail penciled in for a weekend BP in March.
Wanna check out that Stillwater area.”

“Richb makes awesome stuff.

Stillwater Natural Area is nice, no real views of the swamp since it's surrounded by thick spruce. Trail is brushy, watch for a hidden turn on the SW "corner" of the loop around the swamp. There is a bridge over Little Bushkill Creek. Some cool boulders on the northern end of the loop. Good potential camping on the creek crossing before the loop, or on Painter Swamp.”

“Thanks JM, prolly camp near the flinstone site Fri nite, up near Stillwater on Sat, and look for the new saw creek bridge coming out on Sunday

I was hoping you guys would tell us (photo proof) that the Saw creek bridge had been replaced”

“Got done early at the Water Gap yesterday, so decided to head up to Thunder Swamp to see about the bridge. Arrived at 4PM, broke trail, had a couple tricky snow covered feeder creek crossings, got to a freshly painted sign Saw Creek Bridge .5 M, but no bridge at the Saw Creek, went downstream about 100yrds, looking for the bridge, but nothing, looks like a fun crossing this time of year with all the snow melt. Beautiful area with the pines along the creek. All in all a great day to be outside!”