Penn Hiking Trails-Who's Been?

“I got a guidebook called Pennsylvania Hiking Trails, and it describes all these long trails, mostly in the center and western part of the state. They sound great for 4-5 day hikes, and yet I rarely read of people posting a trip report to them. My question is, have you been on them and which are really good? The Tuscarora, the Link Trail, the Susquehannock Trail, the Mid State Trail, the AT, the Laurel Highlands, the Quehanna Trail, the Baker Trail, others. Are they not as interesting to people because there are no really tall mountains?”

“Hiked just about all trails in W PA, and only the Old Logger's Path and the western portion of the Quehanna Trail System in the Central part of the state. I recommend the Old Logger's Path during a full-moon, as the vistas are breathtaking. The Quehanna has some steep hikes...who needs mountains when you have steep and deep stream valleys!”

“When we moved to PA several years ago, we started hiking all the long trails, starting on the eastern side of the state and working our way west. Some we did backpacking, some we sectioned as dayhikes, most we did as a combination of the two. We usually hike 500-700 miles a year. We moved when we had reached about mid-state, but still return as often as we can to hike and maintain trails in PA. (We're in MD now.) There is a lot of good backpacking in PA, especially in the north-central part of the state, where there are few people and the trails are barely used. Favorites include the Black Forest Trail, West Rim Trail, Donut Hole Trail, Quehanna Trail, Allegheny Front Trail, Chuck Keiper and the Bucktail Path. The Horseshoe Trail goes through a lot of populated areas, but has some nice parts. Tuscarora Trail is very rough and rocky as is the Link Trail (which has some very nice views). Midstate has some very nice sections and good views but is tough. Loggers Path, Pinchot and Thunderswamp make fairly easy overnight loop hikes. The Chuck Keiper and Black Forest Trail can be cut into more strenuous weekend hikes. The AT is always a good choice, though too crowded, as is the Laurel Highlands (which has shelters and requires advanced reservations). They were very similar, as I remember. The canals are flat, and to my mind boring, but okay for winter dayhikes, as was the Batona in NJ. The ones we return to hike the most often are the AT, Donut Hole, Chuck Keiper Trail and Black Forest. I enjoy sectioning the long trails. Since we get so little vacation time, we do it on weekends, so it takes longer, but is still satisfying.”

“One thing to note - little use often means little maintenance. For us, it is part of the challenge (and definitely encourages us to go out and help the KTA when the volunteers are out), but it makes for some very rough hiking. We've hiked trails with 100 or more blowdowns per mile. Of course, the upside is that you can go out for a three day weekend and not see another hiker -- but there are bears, deer, porcupines, etc.”

“Sooo, you are THAT ginny. The one mentioned in the book I just got. Thank you for all the information, including what is printed in the book. I hadn't even focused on the Keiper trail. The Old Logger Trail sounds good too. And a group of us is going to the Black Forest/West Rim area. I also want to do Loyalsock. Hope for great fall weekend weather!”

“eh Lindy,

I've done - or been on - most any trail you can name in central, northcentral and northeast PA. Been on countless unnamed ones as well. Some I am compelled to return to often, including exploring the many side trails, old jeep roads, State Forest Roads, bushwhacks and snow shoe wanderings. They've all been great experiences, each one having its own special features and highlights. They're all in mountainous territory too, and many have scenic vistas (some at several overlooks along the way). But if you're expecting lofty precipices, you may be disappointed; we don't have the heights found in places nearby, like the Catskills and Adirondacks. Despite any negatives, I really can't say too many nice things about hiking and backpacking in PA. And considering the large number of blazed trails there are scattered throughout the state, people like ginny, other KTA folks, and the DNCR do a great job maintaining them.

Why do you not hear more about them? - I don't know.

My $.02.

PS: I'll touch base with you later concerning the WRT(?) trip in the Fall. In the meantime, put me down as "probably going." --Thanks.”

“The best part about PA's trails...is that the state HAS trails!”

“Actually, I'm a little afraid of heights. I drove to Pikes Peak, and was so paralyzed while driving to the top, that I think I was only driving about 15 mph. Luckily no one else was on the road. I hiked to the top of Big Pinnacle, a granite overlook of Massie's Gap in Grayson Highlands and was fine, and I've hiked in the mountains in Ouray, Co. but I may never become a real mountain climber.”

“You're making me homesick talking about PA”

“What part are you from?

Me...W PA.”