The Perfect Weekend- MST/Greenwood TR

“Sometimes you are blessed with the perfect trip- a beautiful trail, great weather, and even better company. This weekend’s sojourn on the Mid State Trails and Greenwood Spur was just such a trip.

The weather was incredible- bright, sunny, and fairly warm, but a chill in the wind. Saturday night was cold, but you couldn’t ask for better weather.

We all met at Greenwood Furnace State Park Saturday morning and shuttled cars to Jo Hays Vista on PA 26. We were treated to several excellent views from the ridgeline. The rocky crest was tough going at times but we reached the fire tower and had lunch. We followed the ridge above Bear Meadows Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark, with more excellent views. Finally we reached Indian Wells Vista- a phenomenal view over Bear Meadows and across the jagged ridges. It was a joy to see in clear weather. This is one of the best views in PA and along the Mid State Trail.

We continued through Big Laurel Flat Natural Area with huge jungles of laurel and continued down to Detweiler Run, where we camped. Patsquatch and his group from the NEOH club came by and camped nearby. Patsquatch packed in a huge saw and axe, which came in handy for a big pile of firewood. PA Hikes swung by with a case of black and tan. Needless to say we had a good time around the fire and talking with everyone.

We woke Sunday to another sunny day and we hiked down beautiful Detweiler Run with rhododendron jungles. We entered Alan Seeger Natural Area with old growth forests and rhododendron jungles and tunnels. It was very beautiful.

Next was the big, steep 1450 foot (according to Pennsy) vertical climb up Broad Mountain. This was a buttkicker up steep slopes, but I held my own and wasn’t far behind Crazypace or Pennsy. The top featured a beautiful forest of hemlock, laurel, and rhododendron.

Next was the equally big descent back into Greenwood Furnace State Park.

Some trips have themes, and this one would be the discussion of the Survivor-Bobo Chronicles and Patsquatch’s morning wood (for his fire and coffee in the morning). We also interrogated Spindle about her secret society of female hikers, but we were all missing a certain chromosome.

Awesome time. Great to hike with ENS, Spindle, Pennsy, and Crazypace. Also great to meet everyone from the NEOH club.

This is an excellent weekend trail that is well worth it- awesome views, great camping, beautiful old growth forests, rhododendron jungles, and a buttkicking climb.

Pics:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/562946532emElzZ?vhost=outdoors&start=24”

“Great TR and pics. Thanks for sharing.”

“Thanks for a fantastic hike jmitch. You guys are the best. Can we do it again?

my pics: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/562946296dGOQsS

What I learned on this weekends hike:

Garmy rules, mapquest drools.

There's still no clear winner in the Tortellini-off.

Hikers bearing gifts and beer are crush-worthy. Gender irrelevant.

A man without his morning wood, is a sad man.

Gettin' some takes planning.

Some sporks are better than others.

Port works on wimmin.

No FIFO is allowed to pass us, ever, or we have to turn in our gear and buy Hello Kitty backpacks.

If you get caught gettin nekkid in the parking lot by Park Rangers your lawyer expects his retainer right then. Checks ok.”

“Dang , Sorry I missed it!

I was up at DWG learnin some Childrins in the art of Backpacking. We did Kirkridge shelter to Lake Lenape.”

“Nice trip report and great picutes. The weather was great this weekend for backpacking. I wanted to make the trip and I'm disappointed I couldn't go. Hopefully, I'll make the return trip.”

“Spindle,

Only certified or cashiers' checks are acceptable.

The tortellini cook-off was close, but I think Pennsy won.”

“Is there a link for Survivor Bobo?”

“Tortellini is fool proof, no?”

“nice pics. What a glorious day for hiking.”

“jmitch, cash is good too, right? Only in PA? So if I'm gettin' nekkid in a parking lot in say VA, and the rangers take offense, I'm s.o.l? ;)

I still think CrazyPace won the cook-off. You were biased by large amounts of pasta. :)

Survivor Bobo footage is here:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/560754776KIcAdN”

“RichB, we were missing you.

MarkO, no. There is a delicate art to tortellini you can't appreciate unless you're sitting between CrazyPace and Pennsy talking trash at each other while they cook.

The weekend totally didn't suck. ;)”

“What I learned this past weekend: hiking on a rocky trail, in the dark, with a good buzz on is much more difficult then originally anticipated.”

“So if I'm gettin' nekkid in a parking lot in say VA, and the rangers take offense, I'm s.o.l? ;)


Pictures, please!
>8^]

And if'n ya ain't got pictures please paint a more detailed picture for those of us who don't know WTF you're talkin' about.
last edited: 3/31/08 6:58:35 AM”

“Pahikes, you should have stayed! We tried to make you stay.

You're still in one piece I hope. ;)
last edited: 3/31/08 6:55:09 AM”

“Geez Spindlette, was that the only place to sit, between those two numbskulls??”

“Just as a hypothetical case of nekkid, MarkO.

Unless you want to see pics of Pennsy and CrazyPace.

I was saving those pics for the girls Secret Collection, but if you pretend not to have a y-chromosome I may be persuaded to let you take a peek.

I sit where the sittin' is good. A girl could do a LOT worse, believe it. ;)
last edited: 3/31/08 7:00:27 AM”

“Richb- hope to see you on the trail soon. I need to show you my Ketchum Run Gorge Loop, my new favorite trail.

Spindle- I'm sure the rangers won't take offense if you get nekkid. But, I don't practice in VA, so if it looks like you're s.o.l., do your lap dance routine.

And since there was no Bobo to pack in the fun, Pahikes did it for us.”

“Lap dance routines are only done in Perkins.

Someone should talk to Pennsy about his tipping habits. Cheapskate.

Pahikes can pack in some serious fun!”

“Sorry darlin', I'm not too good at "pretending".”

“Absolutely fantastic trip. I'll have some photos posted in a while and will post my write up. The Alan Seeger Natural Area was outstanding and the feel of the place has made quite an impression. That climb was done at the right time of the day too - I'd hate to go up in the middle of a hot day. Good to know PaHikes made it out alive.

It was great meeting you guys and seeing old friends again. It would have been hard to top that trip.

I should not have hung the kilt on that bush as I picked up a hitchhiker. I will not detail that discovery online.

We found the restaurant that PAHikes was talking about (Home Delivery). It was fantastic. It will be added to the preferred list.”

“Alan Seeger is a special place.

We stopped by Home Delivery, but wanted breakfast food, so off to Perkins we went.

Glad you enjoyed the trail, Patsquatch.”

“I missed hiking with everyone and I hope to get out soon. It was just bad timing because I had a procedure scheduled on Friday and I was just too spaced out afterward from anesthesia to make the trip.”

“Everyone head over to www.lattaoutdoors.com and let's discuss this trip.

there is even a thread up for it.
http://www.lattaoutdoors.com/forum/read/12/85678

btw, it was a tremendously great trip that hit every spot. Sorry I couldn't hang out for lunch, my dad was on his way down for a visit and I thought it best to get back home.”

“Very fun trip. :)

I was there in spirit. Did you feel it? ;)

Great pictures spindle and jmitch.”

“I was there in spirit. Did you feel it? ;)

Ah, so thats what that was! I thought I was being molested!

Great trip Jmitch!! Thanks Pahiker for the goodies and Patsquatch for being a lumberjack.

Ps: My tortellini was "mo-betta" than Pennsy's.

Pss: I'm on a list and I like it.”

“"Ah, so thats what that was! I thought I was being molested!

That may have been Pennsy... You might want to dig into that particular feeling. Or, just burry it deeper. ;)

Mmmmm tortellini.... I'm hiking with the wrong folks!”

“There's a couple new names to go on The List I think.

MsD., I told Pennsy to go get his spork in person. You're getting rock shoes, aren't you? ;) Good because if he has to fly you'll need to put him on some rock to calm his nerves. ;)

I tried to make them all come out with me on the 8th.

Now I have the lumberjack song stuck in my head.
last edited: 3/31/08 9:14:42 AM”

“:D

I'll make a ransom note tonight. ;)”

“And could you imagine the party we'd have if all of them showed up? What a birthday party that would be for you. ;)

Complete with booze, hills, snow and eye candy. :D

Sending our Neville another e-mail now that it's only a couple weeks away. :)”

“You'd think all my prattling on about 14-ers, snow, and ROCK would be a sufficient enough lure.

I'm ruthless enough to pull out the But it's my Birthday whine and cheese. If I have to. ;)

Yes, we needs a Texan in the mix. :)”

“A big birthday, too. ;)

They're passing up a once in [your] lifetime opportunity. :D

Texans keep things interesting. >:)
last edited: 3/31/08 10:00:29 AM”

“Bu-Bu-Bu-BIG birthday ??

Something in the double digits, no doubt.

My tortellini would have smoked the others.”

“n/m
last edited: 3/31/08 1:00:36 PM”

“You have to email Matt.”

“MarkO, I'd watch all that tortellini smack talkin' if I was you. They'll expect you to put your ti-pot where your keyboard is. ;)

Yep! Double digit b-day! I'll be 70. :)”

“You still have a long way to go to catch Gemini, Spindlette.

She is 100.

Homey ain't got no Ti-pot!

My favorite pots are my old stainless steels.

>8^b~~

My tomato sauce is dee bestest and there are other "things"............hoohoohahahahahahaha!

Note to self:
Next time I hike wid deez numbskulls.........tortellini and...
Hmmm.......maybe tortelloni!”

“Great pios Mitch and lapdancer Spindle! Fun weekend with a capital F. Really great trail with great people (even the fifo's).

Morning wood rocks.
Morning B&T hangover does not.

Perkins lap dances rock.
Saying CP's tortellini is better does not.

The caribiner cups that Pahikes gave us rock.
Running out of port wine to put into it does not.

Msdoolittle getting rock shoes? Woohoo! I'm coming to get my spork!”

“I'll include that in my ransom note. ;)

Get ye ass out here and climb!

'Biner cups sound COOL! I want one. :)”

“My photos are here: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/562955413dPRQAI

A great deal has been said about this trail so I’ll just stick to some highlights.

Sghettis Italian Bistro http://directory.vindy.com/dining/index.php?biz=2567 We met here off of I-80 and Route 18 on the western Pennsylvania hinterlands. The food was great but they were a little short on staff so it took a while to get out of there. Combine Brothers is just up the street so there is still a reason to meet in this area.

We arrived at Jo Hays Vista around 11:30 which was 3 hours from the restaurant. From there it is a really quick shuttle down Route 26 to Greenwood Furnace SP along Route 305. We were in a lot of wind on the ridge but it died to zero once we hiked down the MST toward the Ironstone Loop. We just flopped near the trail that night. Clear and cold.

Saturday was clear and cool. Excellent views and a great trail. I got to see everything that was fogged in last year at this time. What beautiful day. We had plenty of vistas, Bear Meadows Natural Area, Indian Wells Vista and Eric finally came home to Detweiler Run Natural Area where we stopped for the night after covering 14 miles. And yes, it was better idea to head there than to stop at Bear Meadows. Thanks Jeff.

Met TT people. I finally got to meet some more TTers. They were great people. I met Crazypace, ENS, Pennsy, Spindle and jmitch. We were also joined by PAHikes who brought extra provisions. We had a great night around the fire. The only problem was that I can’t follow that many conversations (13 of us total). But it was still a good time. Another cold clear night. No tent for me.

Note to self - “Three cups of tea” http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0143038257/bookstorenow600-20 We talked about this book while standing around the fire. Sounds like it would be a great read.

Pennsy uses soft t-paper. Nice choice of #&%!$ tickets, thanx man. I owe you.

On Sunday we hiked along Detweiler Run and entered into the Alan Seeger Natural Area. You’ve got to be there to understand the impact of a place like this on the senses. It was surreal, mostly because it hasn’t been eff’d with like most everywhere else. Man, it was old school. Thick jungles of rhododendron and towering hemlocks. After that we scaled the mountainside on a great rock trail with nice switchbacks before descending again to our cars at Greenwood Furnace. We had covered 6.75 miles in just under 3 hours. And count one less blow down. I got tired of walking around them and felt guilty for not helping out at least a little. Another gorgeous day.

Home Delivery Pizza and Pub http://www.homedeliverypizza.net/ PAHikes recommended it and I wish I had known about this place sooner. We drove right through the parking lot thinking that this was not the right place too. It was the perfect place. They are open until 2 AM which suits our carpool average quite well. This whole area kicks butt for logistics, scenery and variety of trails!!!

Cleos BBQ Exit 123 off I-80 is another place I plan to try but have not stopped yet. I couldn’t find any other information but Rob might still have the flyer. Might even hit this place while leaving the Quehanna Wild Area.

In closing – The Mid State Trail Rocks (and is rocky). Expect some climbs, but you will be rewarded. But that is common in PA. Flat trails are not. Scott has copies of the current edition of the MST guide at http://www.thehikingspot.com/ order yours and you will see what I mean when say that the possibilities are endless for a variety of trips in this region. The MST is connected to so many trails you could stay out a long long time.”

“Ya want one of these, eh? I bet we can work something out. :o)


It's really cool and it was real nice of Scott (pahikes) to share them with the boneheads. Of course, bringing a case of B&T's into camp earned him bonus points. The best part was that he took one look at us, saw that a case wouldn't be enough, and went back for more! The least I can do is plug his websites:

The Hiking Spot
Pa Hikes.com
Thanks Scott!

Also, kudos to Paul Bunyan Patsquatch for backpacking that rugged trail with a HUGE saw and axe. It made camp life much easier.
last edited: 3/31/08 4:46:42 PM”

“Shlt Tickets??

In all my years that's one I have not heard yet.”

“And you've been using them every day. At least you hope to use them every day. Picked that one up from Superhiker. Wish he was there too.”

“Not while I was using the tickets, but to be around for the trip.”

“Great pics, Pat. I see several of your photos are in the new "Pennsylvania Hiking Guide."”

“That's the ticket!”

“Got a ticket to ride!”

“I'll have to get the guide. I'll buy 5 copies for my mother...
last edited: 4/01/08 10:22:54 AM”

“Pat, this isn't Rolling Stones magazine, and you're not on the cover, so I would think 3 copies for your mother would be adequate.”

“Pennsy uses soft t-paper. Nice choice of #&%!$ tickets, thanx man. I owe you.

I've always been a bof fan of Mister Whipple.

Hey Scott, I ordered a hat and tshirt yesterday. Why aren't they here today? ;o)”

“Nice Pic's and quite the Hemlock. Nice looking country down there in PA.”