Big Mountain and the Standing Stone Marc h Madness

“We will hike a new section of the Standing Stone Trail into Cowans Gap State Park and then get on the Tuscarora Trail over Big Mountain.”

“Bad dates, MST Trail Care up where we were last year, is this weekend.”

“Should we begin on the SST at Meadow Gap in SGL 81? Some interesting terrain, nice views, and Priceless Point is a superb view.
Adds more miles, and there is a roadwalk, but I think it would be worth it, to make it truly "madness".

Look at the online SST maps to see what I'm talking about.”

“Although Carl L. is a hard act to follow I think he has permission from a new private landowner north of 522 but still waiting for the wheels to turn in the PGC to get that off road. Hopefully if the PGC acts before this summer, the summer Trail Crew can work on that piece. There's also another relo further south in Allens Valley that's on the agenda, I would put getting off the narrow paved Sinoquipe Road higher on the agenda but it depends on what can get approved - lot easier in BSF than through the PGC.”

“sounds good but is this one of your idiot miles hike?”

“yes it is sticks

Pete, the dates are flexible”

“The March 13th weekend is open for me, unfortunately it's close to new moon then.

Distances:

From top of Meadow Gap (skipping the PUD) on SST to US 522 is now 8.9 miles, including 3.3 miles of continuous paved roadwalk, but add 1.2 for out and back to Priceless Point.

From US 522 on SST to junction of Tuscarora Trail is 4.95 miles.

(I consider SST guidebook distances a bit suspect)

Based on 2009 Tuscarora Trail map:

3 miles from SST to main intersection in Cowans Gap
9.9 (as relocated) miles from Cowans Gap to PA 16. Plus the Big Mountain Shelter is at least a quarter mile off trail.

So from US 522 to PA 16 is 18 miles, a little short, but for me 28 miles from Meadow Gap upper SGL parking area would be a little long, especially with late Friday night arrival and no camping in SGL 81.

Coming south from 522 brings one to a good legal campsite in 2.5 miles. From there it would be about 8.3 miles to Big Mountain shelter, then 7 miles out to PA 16 (passing a biker bar on US 30 at 2 miles before the end, unsure how open it would be on a Sunday morning). The TT now crosses US 30 nearly 1/2 mile west of the bar but the trail parallels 30 until their back parking lot.”

“I set up the dates as the 12-14. Perhaps a hike in Friday night if possible.

3 mile road walk, ouch.”

“ENS,

A roadwalk isn't ideal, but Priceless Point is on of PA's best vistas. Monument Rock is also neat, some cool terrain in SGL 81.”

“I'm game! How's the camping?

I wonder if we can spot a car and avoid the roadwalk.”

“You guys are going to miss the North Fork Mountain Trail.”

“North Fork Mountain Rocks, but it's a little too far of a drive right now. This is only about an hour away.”

“Yeah, I can dig it.

I believe a little somebody has a birthday coming up.
Perhaps this year I won't have a funeral to go to.”

“I signed up. I absolutely agree that SGL 81 is great scenery but adding it is too long for me, with bad camping. I think the site 2.5 miles in from US 522 would be good for a Friday night camp - suggestion: possibly others start earlier on Friday and go thru SGL 81?”

“what is the mileage that we're looking at? jmitch, would you want to start on Friday?

Mark, yeah in one month Liam will be two, we're thinking of not having a big bd party this year, probably just grandparents and my sisters.”

“So this is the 12-14th not 19th-21st?

The New Moon is on the 15th, Spring Equinox on the 20th. ;)

Put me down as a maybe. March is a ways off yet.”

“18 miles total from US 522 on SST to PA 16 on TT.

The SGL 81 section of SST would add 6+ more miles of trail (with 3 great views) and 3+ miles of roadwalk, no camping on any of it.”

“correct, 12-14.

There is a Friday night camping, near 522, but we're considering hiking a 9-10 mile section of the SST on Friday the 12th.”

“so anyone up for taking Friday the 12th off and hiking the section through SG 181 and Priceless Point?”

“I might be able to go on the 12th.”

“The SST is poised to become one of the finest trails in the mid atlantic once its master plan is completed. Few trails can match its views. Shelters are even planned along the trail.

Newsletter:

http://www.hike-sst.org/LinkstrWnt2010.pdf

Website:

http://www.hike-sst.org/

New shelter design can be seen here:

http://www.thruthewoods.com/”

“I need to hury up and join the SST. Good stuff! Very exciting.

I should be able to do the Friday hike. Need to know if anyone else is doing it.”

“I would love to but can't afford the other day off and also wary of the extra distance for me not being in great shape.

Occurred to me to wonder if the Friday folks would prefer to hike to the Ft Littleton Restaurant and then I can come in and drive over to the new trailhead at the Turnpike crossing - or if we should just plan to meet at the campsite area in Ninemile Run where the old and new SST routes converge.”

“I think I can do Fri.”

“cool. I will request off for that day.

Anyone else hiking friday?”

“I am off for the 12th.

Is the campsite for friday night the one 2.5 miles from 522?

Saturday night camping at Big Mountain shelter? This may be a good bivy trip if there is a shelter.

I think crazypace is going to meet up with us on Saturday morning if his shoulder feels better. He is going to try and hike this weekend with a full pack to test it out.”

“That's what I was thinking, Fri night site 2.5 mi south of 522, Sat night around the Big Mountain shelter - unless we get there too soon and want to push on?”

“Took myself off the maybe list.

Heading up to the Cats during the week and the childcare wasn't having this hike too. :-\

Next time. Have fun y'all.”

“Cudos to the SST nation.”

“I'm out. Going south next weekend and hitting the AT with jackstraw and friends.”

“I think you guys are afraid of the (man-eating) rocks!

Really looking forward to SGL 81, Monument Rock and Priceless Point.”

“awesome Jeff.. what time do you want to meet up on Friday?”

“blessed be the rocks, for they shall inherit pennsylvania”

“By outer PA standards I don't think the rocks are too bad on this one. I've been on most of the route except the latest SST relocation part of it.”

“Please. I fear no rock. You can't live in PA and fear the rock or you'd never leave the house. :p

My snowshoes are hollering for use is all.

I'd invite you all to come with, but you have those "job" things preventing you from ditching mid-week.

Jobs are a real hindrance to getting good trail time. ];->”

“Mid-week is a good time to hit the trail.”

“ENS, 10 or 11 ish. I guess we are starting at Meadow Gap in SGL 81, where are we ending? At Big Mtn Vista? I think we can park there.

Maybe we should meet at Cowans Gap SP.”

“anywhere you want to meet is good with me.

11am sounds good. I want to drive Liam to school Friday morning.”

“Have fun frolicking in the snow, Spindle. I just got snowshoes, a bit late, but winter will be back next year, or next week.”

“If I come in on Saturday morning where should I meet up with you guys?”

“you can meet us in camp if you get there early enough. The hike on Saturday is less than 10 miles, so we probably won't be in a huge rush and can wait for you. It's 2.5 mile hike into camp.”

“I thought we were ending at PA 16 - ending at Big Mtn Vista, if the road's even open to there, would be a real short Sunday hike. The big parking area we used to use on the north side of US 30 is blocked off with Jersey barriers, though I suppose we could park way in the back of the lot at the biker bar.

Guess we need two shifts of meeting up, one for the people who are able to do the Blacklog part and the other for those who have to work. I assume eggs is in the latter category - we'd have to arrange our own shuttle.”

““Please. I fear no rock. You can't live in PA and fear the rock or you'd never leave the house. :p
Spindle

Its the roll ya gotta watch out for.
>:^]”

“ENS and I (others?) will begin Fri at Locke Valley Road, Meadow Gap in SGL 81. The mileage looks like we should be able to get to the state forest to camp Fri night, that's including going to Monument Rock and Priceless Point.

Fri night camping, we'll try for somewhere along Ninemile Run in the state forest, see the SST map.

We'll proceed south to Cowans Gap SP. Continue south on Tuscarora Trail and camp at the shelter.

Pete, do you know where the shelter is? I hear there may be no water there.

Where do we end- at the vista along Tower Rd in the state forest? US 30? or US 16?

Should be a good trip.”

“Well, the weather is looking bad for Fri and Sat. Let's keep an eye on the weather.”

“I'd been to the shelter once before on a dayhike, I don't recall there being water there. It has a privy on a vault toilet, serviced by a grassy Foresty road. I can't seem to find my early copy of the new guide section for that area but I think the shelter is about 2/3 of the way from Cowans Gap to the vista and is at least 1/3 mile off trail.”

“Come on yonder south and do N Fork Trail iffin you yanks can take the rain.
We have no shelter but we do have a west virginny tarp.”

“I'd say let's go for PA 16”

“I like the Route 16 idea, there's a real big wide spot to park at that end. Then we can do the whole recent TT relocation.

If we don't get drowned out, that is...”

“if the forecast looks gross and doesn't improve, I don't mind rescheduling.”