Hi all. Wanted to share my experience for my first multiday backpacking trip this year Sunday thru Tuesda May 17th thru 19th on the Old Loggers Path in the Loyalsock State Forest in PA. This has been on my list for a while. It was an easy hike to get the season started. I moved this one up on the list because I am concerned that the area may soon be raped by fracking for natuaral gas as I read that some company owns the mineral rights under the forest. That would be a real shame.
Jim and I set off Sunday morning and arrived at the trailhead at the ghost town of Masten at about 2pm. We followed the map at http://midatlantichikes.com/oldloggerspath.htm and followed in clockwise fashion doing 10mi-10mi-6mi easy days. Conditions were a bit damp as it had rained for a bit prior to our arrival to the trailhead. There was a sun shower midway through the 2nd day, and we had a couple hour thunder/lighting/rain storm on the second night. So although the trail was soggy we stayed dry for the most part while walking. Temps ranged from mid 70's during the day to mid 40's at night.
4 miles into the trek we reached a vista and took some pics. It was at about this point where Jim noticed that the sole of his boot was coming unglued. Nothing a little duct tape couldn't handle...well at least temporarily....we did some did some surgery with zing it and a multi-tool to re-attach or suture up the sole to the base.
After the shoe repair we made out way to Pleasant Stream at about the 10mi mark to set up camp. It was a large campsite on the bank of the Pleasant Stream. Jim is a ground dweller...although I have been trying to convert him. My shelter combo of choice for this trip was WL Tapdole tarp, Blackbird hammock, KAQ Jarbidge, and Golite 40* quilt. Had a small thin evasote pad for calves and feet. Not the lightest setup but right now probably my favorite for 3 season. Tadpole set up in porch mode both nights. No rain the first night and the second night it poured for a few hours but no issues at all. No wind so rain just fell straight down so I didn't have to batten down the hatches.
Checking the dogs after 1st day's hike...so far so good! I really like the REI Flex Lite chair and I take it everywhere. A salamander set up camp with us and pretty much stayed all night while we cooked meals and shared a little nightcap of Jameson.
Day two's hike was sunny and warm, and not as humid as day 1. We saw a few rattlers throughout the day especially near Sharptop and Sullivan Mountain. Saw a few white tail deer too. A few great vistas during this section also. We did have a small rain squall that lasted for only about 10 minutes as we descended for our camp spot. We camped at the confluence of Yellow Run and Rock Run and wow what a great spot. Prior to setting up shelters we took a dip in a pool on Rock Run. It was cold but refreshing. It started thundering and lighting around 10pm and the sound of the rain on the tarp was wonderful. When the rain subsided the sound of the rapids of the Yellow Run took its placed in my ears and head bringing me to a peaceful and relaxing state...perfect for sleeping in the Blackbird.
Jim
Lunching it it springside:
Rock Run...you can see Yellow Run waterfall just beyond the fallen tree:
The last day of hiking was pretty easy. 6 miles of mostly downhill but soggy due to the previous nights rain. The rain cleared away all the humidity and it was a very pleasant way to end the trip. Glad I went on this trip and would definately do it again possibly with my 13 & 15year old children in tow since I think they could handle it. We stopped at the Forksville Inn on the way out of the county for some PBR's and Burgers that really hit the spot before treking back to the Philly/South Jersey region.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out the trip report. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Chris K
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Originally Posted by Chris K
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