Hike the MST: 3/13 - 3/15

“Thinking about hiking the MST from Alan Seeger to Poe Valley. Some discussion about this already on the other side. Any takers on TT? The trip is posted.”

“I may be up for that.”

“nevermind :)
last edited: 2/07/09 8:34:46 PM”

“I am gonna try to do a meet up with you folks. Who is gonna need a tow rope? I'll stick one in my l'il metro jsut to be prepared. lol”

“I've got a tow rope and a come-along. Should I also get the winch out?”

“Perhaps this will get drum up some interset in this hike:

http://www.pahikes.com/trails/midstate18.asp

I hiked a small section of the Mid State over which this hike will be travelling. This is the section just shy of route US322. Temperatures on this hike were near 60, so even with some snow and ice on the ground, it sure did feel like spring.

Only three more weeks to go.
last edited: 2/21/09 1:59:59 PM”

“Unfortunately these I'll be in California the previous week and coming home very late that Friday night, so I'm out.”

“hike the mystery science theater?”

“Yes, MST, more commonly known as the Mystery Science Theater, unless you hike, then you know it refers to the Mid State Trail.

Hey Crash Bang, if you make the trip, there will be beer. Of course there will be beer even if you aren't there, but I thought I'd try a little persuasion to get you on this hike.”

“Here in NC, MST means the Mountains to the Sea Trail.”

“The difference between the PA MST and the NC MST is that the PA MST is 90%+ actual trail not 60% roadwalk. Y'uns do have better beaches though, the PA MST's best beach is at Cowanesque Lake.”

“and the mountains portion of the NC MST crosses some perty high eastern mountains, but the PA MST is one awesome trail.”

“grrr. everytime there's a hike in my backyard, I have a scheduling conflict. leaving for CA on the 14th for work.”

“Been a long time -- too long. In fact so long I've been thinking about making the drive out for this...”

“We're here, wanting to get out, especially if we can meet some of the TT legends (I haven't even met ENS yet)”

“where is that jmitch guy”

“Probably hiking further and faster than we will. Although a stronger hiker with the willingness to set up the camp(site hospitality within DCNR regulations) would be most welcome. ;)”

“Getting closer day by day... who wants to get out?”

“I'm working on it.”

“I found out yesterday which trailhead access routes were ice covered and which not, details on the other side.”

“Looks like I should be in on this trip. I will try to get some other boneheads to come.”

“talked to crazypace and he may go and maybe we can get pennsy to go.

is friday night camp near the start of the hike or does it require a hike?

how many miles on sunday?”

“Do we have a short hike in Friday night, or are we car-camping?”

“Actual camp locations are still fluid, depending on the condition of the back roads. I will be making a trip from Alan Seeger to Poe Valley tonight after work. I'll report back with conditions later on this evening.”

“Wish I could go, have to go to TN this weekend for a wedding.

Enjoy the MST. And the views, and the rocks.

Talking about ice, I was on the LT last weekend, Ketchum Run was filled with ice, very beautiful. Love that place. Should've had crampons.

And I'll be in the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce in a month, yoohoo!”

“phantom soul?
no way....”

“A week ago Alan Seeger was reachable on Stone Creek Rd from Rt 26 but not (for ordinary mortals, at least) from 322. A fairly short hike in north from Alan Seeger was the plan discussed on "the other side," but if 322 side isn't open then it's a pretty long drive around.
last edited: 3/10/09 8:55:20 AM”

“Oh, there are many, many ways to get to Alan Seeger without having to come in from the 322 side, and without too much additional driving. To go to PA26 and come in would definitely be a long haul. My thoughts are as follows: Alan Seeger via Bear Meadows Road and Poe Valley via Millheim-Siglerville Pike from the Penns Valley side. I'll scope things out tonight and post road updates as well as detailed maps on possible access routes.”

“For the folks coming from the Hardee's, the Sand Mountain Rd way in to Poe Valley would be shortest anyway, there are signs, vs. trying to figure out where to turn and turn and turn again in Milroy. It was also plowed out for the construction workers at Poe Valley, unlike the S&M Pike over Big Poe Mtn that was beaten into ice by the Amish. Hopefully that's melted now or at least could be by Sunday aince we could then hit Elk Creek on the way out from PV if that's now OK.

It's sometimes possible to turn left coming back out Sand Mtn road, so retrace Sand Mtn to 322 to behind the runaway truck ramp to Alan Seeger would be ideal for the run-around Friday after spotting cars.

If Stone Creek Rd from 322 is blocked, I wonder because I don't know, if Bear Meadows would be any better road conditions wise. The worst of Stone Creek Rd a week ago was both sides of Penn Roosevelt so Boal Gap or Crowfield certainly won't be better. I don't think there's any other hard roads around other than 305 from Belleville or even longer, 26 from Pine Grove Mills.”

“You are correct, Sand Mountain Road would be the best option for those coming up from Harrisburg. As for the Siglerville-Millheim Pike, I guess that won't really be an issue unless we are really thirsty on Sunday, but if that's the case, then I'm sure we'll figure something out. I'll check out Bear Meadows to Penn Roosevelt and then come back Crowfield. That should give us a good idea of the road conditions.”

“That's a good plan - especially the driving up the north side of Thickhead part. :) I'm sure I would have lost it if I had driven the S-M northbound vs. the other way.”

“EarthNSkyy, we will be camping Friday night at the exact spot where you guys did last year with jmitch, Pennsy, CrazyPace, and the NEOH group. Parking at Alan Seeger, that is probably about a 2 mile hike to the campsite, give or take a quarter mile.

Saturday night's camp will be along Green's Valley Stream, just past Stillhouse Hollow. I think the mileage for Saturday will be about 14 miles.

On Sunday the hike out to Poe Valley will be about 7 miles. We're thinking about stopping at the Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks after the hike (www.elkcreekcafe.net) for a bite to eat and some tasty brews.”

“Just got back from a little drive through the forests of Rothrock, and all of the roads are completely clear of ice and snow pack. Doesn't look like there will be any issues in shuttle cars to and from the trailheads this weekend.”

“Can I get a head count on who all is attending? I believe, according to the trip listing, there are five of us. I need a head count for beer and hiking goodies to be given away at Friday night's campsite.”

“I'm going. Not sure on arrival time yet though. I don't know if Crazypace is going yet.”

“Phantomsoul, you in for this trip? Where you coming from: east, west, north, south?”

“I talked to him yesterday and he said he is in and bringing a friend. He is coming from the far east, aka Jersey.
last edited: 3/10/09 6:12:42 PM”

“I'm in, along with BikerBob (who is working on getting himself a sign-on for this place, but apparently ran into some technical issues. Sheesh...)

I'm headed out of central Jersey about 4PM or so - says its about 2 1/2 hours to H-burg and then another hour and change to the trailhead (probably? (maybe? (hopefully?))) We should be at the trailhead about 8:30 - 9-ish according to that...

Our plans should be finalized sometime tomorrow night...”

“To the DoRK (You know who you are)...

WAY! (How have you been?)”

“We do have an aggregation point for folks coming from the south and southeast if desired - that is the Hardee's in Dauphin, exit from the PA 225 exit from US 22/322. On "the other side" we are still trying to figure out what time on Friday evening that meeting time will be. Assuming some eating of greasy food takes place and then spotting cars at the end point, our arrival at the beginning trailhead (Alan Seeger) should be 2.5 to 3 hours later.”

“crazypace can't go. Looks like I be representing boneheads.”

“Wow, we might actually finally meet?? Are you coming to meet us at the Hardee's? We're shooting for 6 p.m. there, possibly earlier for grease intake.”

“hey ..

I think I am going to try to get to the area by 4ish to meet Scott.”

“Ki0eh and ENS you guys were both at Masten last year.. You all didnn't meet there?

'32oz”

“I was only there briefly with the 5 yo and didn't get introduced all the way around the campfire.”

“By 4ish? I better bring more beer....”

“Actually I think I was there and gone before EnS showed up.

We from the Hardee's will drop a crew cab truck at the end. Might be a little bit of bed riding until we come around to parking for the Saturday campsite, should work out.”

“I think you did leave before we got there..


32oz, you best be coming on this trip.”

“I wish.. I will be backpacking in a cold rain in Shenandoah National Park with some scouts....

If not, I would be there.. I really want to do the MST sometime...

You guys have fun..

'32oz”

“I dig the MST. It is a great trail.”