Jeff Mitchell's Blog

Sunset at Crawford Vista

Length: About 36 miles

Parking: Main trailhead is at Beaver Run Dam, 41.261465, -78.258292 There are other places you can park.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. The loop has a lot of cruisey terrain with some hills. Biggest climbs and descents are on the north side of the loop. Porcupine Draft has the steepest terrain, but most of it is gradual.

Highlights: Many meadows and glades, scenic streams, views, big rocks, a ruin, great camping, views, small waterfalls and cascades, moss forest, hemlocks and pines, diverse forests, wild elk.

Best time to hike: May for flowers, June for mountain laurel blooms, July for rhododendron blooms, September for elk bugling, October for fall colors.

Issues: The loop follows several other trails, watch for trail junctures. Most have signs but not all. To complete this loop there is a little roadwalking along Quehanna Highway. This loop does not have its own blaze or insignia.

Blazes: Most trails are yellow, some are red. Quehanna Trail (QT) is orange.

Trail conditions: When I hiked, they were pretty good. All trails were followable. Porcupine Draft can have nettle and blowdowns, although most were cleared on my hike. Gore and Sevinsky Drafts can have nettle, be brushy, and have blowdowns. Kunes Camp Trail along Twelvemile Run was brushy with laurel and hemlocks, but again, was followable. There are a few wet and boggy spots, but not many.

Maintained by: Volunteers and staff from the Elk and Moshannon State Forests. Keystone Trails Association provides occasional maintenance. Most of the credit goes to Betty, a force of nature who singlehandedly maintains many of these trails. Thank you Betty!

Hike you own hike: This loop is only a suggestion. Feel free to modify and create your own!

Direction of description: Clockwise from Beaver Run Dam trailhead.

Description: In the spring of 2025 I hiked the original version of the Loop of Meadows and was absolutely blown away. It would become one of my most popular posts on this blog. I had this route in mind and I finally hiked it. Again, I loved it. It’s a little longer and harder than the original, but even more beautiful with more meadows, streamside hiking, cascades, and even a ruin.

I can’t say enough about this loop, surely one of the finest in PA and the mid-Atlantic. In terms of the scenery you get for the effort, this is one of the finest loops in the east. The diversity is unmatched. Quehanna is a whole vibe; it has a unique tapestry of scenery and habitats. In a few miles you can be crossing a savanna, tunnel through hemlocks, see pines, pass cascades, hike among giant ferns, walk along a mountain stream, and see elk. This loop is constantly providing the hiker with something new to look at and enjoy.

From the parking area, go right (east) onto the Lincoln Loop, following an old road. Cross a glade and the Quehanna Highway. Reach a fine view of Paige Run and the gorges of Red Run. (Adventurous? Off trail to the right/east is the superb Red Run Gorge Vista). Descend to beautiful Paige Run with cascades. Veer right onto Teaberry Loop and reach another great view. Go right onto the East Cross Connector (ECC). Hike through laurel and sassafras, reach a road, and turn right onto the QT. Descend into Porcupine Draft, a forested gorge. At first, the trail clings to sidehill along a steep slope. Descend to the small creek and cross a few times. There is one falls about 5 feet tall. The trail levels; look for a walled spring just off the trail. The water is delicious.

Turn right onto Red Run Road and enjoy views of beautiful Red Run. Cross Red Run on a bridge and climb up into sublime Sanders Draft with great camping, big boulders, cascading falls, and rhododendron tunnels. I love it in there. Primeval place. The trail levels. Turn right onto yellow Sanders Trail, an old road. Look for a right turn at a Y; there is no sign. Continue on the old road and then turn left off of it into diverse forests of hardwoods and hemlocks. Cross a meadow and pipeline swath; potential camping is here. Trail gets mucky for a short bit. Go straight and avoid Red Run Trail (which is a very nice trail). Reach Hoover Road and turn left.

Turn right onto Gore Vista or Crossover Trail. Go left at a Y and another left onto Foley Trail. Gore Vista is nice, but is not an expansive view. Cross meadows and turn right onto Sevinsky Trail. Descend into a gorge with hemlocks, so scenic. The trail was well established but got grown over as I descended with blowdowns. Watch for where two gorges join; there is no sign. Turn right onto the yellow Gore Draft Trail. Where the two creeks meet is beautiful. Climb up Gore Draft, a beautiful wooded gorge with cascades. It is a little brushy at the bottom but the trail gets better as you climb into the hemlocks.

At the top, turn left onto Gore Loop/Gore Cut Off Road with pines. Turn left onto Bailey Log Trail and hike through the laurel; the trail is wide. Descend and cross Wykoff Run Road. Enter a scenic spot with creeks, hemlocks, and two campsites. Climb along more meadows and turn right onto Big Spring Draft Connector and then left onto Ligament Trail.

Reach Quehanna Highway, follow a short distance, and follow Twister Trail. Go back to the highway, follow a short distance, and follow No. 11 Trail. Turn right onto No. 11 Connector, return to the highway, follow a short distance, and take Kunes Camp Trail. Hike through a diverse pine forest and see the unique Kunes Camp ruin, an old hunting cabin built between the boulders. Follow Kunes Camp Trail down through diverse forests and fern glades. Veer left onto Erie Camp Trail and then right to continue on Kunes Camp Trail. Hike along Twelvemile Run, a beautiful, primeval place with deep hemlocks, boulders, and two great campsites. I loved it down there. Climb from the creek and turn left onto Chipper Rd/Panther Run Trail. Go straight onto Panther Run Trail. It turns right onto another forest road and then veers left into the woods. Descend to a stunning meadow walk. Enter the incredible moss forest with spruce. Cross Lost Run Road. Follow Red Run Trail.

Turn left onto Ralphy Seeley Trail, a great section with meadows and diverse forests. Cross Meeker Run and turn left onto the ECC. Meeker Run has great camping and even a small falls. Pass boulders and turn right onto Crawford Vista Trail. Hike through pines and hardwoods and reach the superb view from a meadow. There is a dry campsite in the woods. Hike along meadows and turn left onto Mosquito Creek Trail. Enjoy fern glades and descend among boulders. Turn right onto Bridge Trail and hike along the beautiful Mosquito Creek with boulders and rapids. Climb a hill and cross vast meadows. Look for cottongrass blooms in the fall. Turn left onto the ECC and continue across meadows. Cross a bridge over Beaver Run.

Stay on the ECC at the pond and hike along more meadows. Go straight and leave the ECC, follow the Marion Brooks Loop with meadows and pine forests. Cross the highway and follow Losey Road. Marion Brooks Natural Area is nearby; known for its white birch forest. Go right, leave the road, onto Marion Brooks Loop and enjoy more meadows. Turn right onto the ECC and cross a meadow with pines. Cross the highway into more pines. Veer left onto Lincoln Loop with more pines. Return to the parking area.

This loop is remarkable. I love it. Parts of it has a Dolly Sods vibe to it. Explore your beautiful public lands. Get out there.

This is one of PA’s best weekend backpacking loops.

C is camping. R is Kunes Camp Ruin. Blue dots are small waterfalls or cascades. Green highlights are meadow or glade areas. Stars are spots that I think are particularly scenic, but not otherwise identified on the map. Route is pink/purple but is not marked that way on the ground. All locations are approximate.

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Great views from the Black Forest Trail

Length: About 24 miles.

Parking: there are several places to park. I began at Slate Run, 41.471301, -77.502301

Blazes: The Black Forest Trail (BFT) is orange. Other trails are yellow or blue.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. This loop has some big climbs, rugged terrain, and long cruisey sections. Stream crossings can be challenging in high water.

Highlights: Superb views, waterfalls and cascades, meadows, scenic streams, diverse forests of pine and spruce, great campsites.

Issues: Nettle can be an issue. While I found the loop pretty easy to navigate, you need to keep an eye out for turns. Most trail junctures have signs.

Trail conditions: Pretty good. Overall, the loop was easy to follow. Some sections are brushy. Trails are generally well-blazed.

Choose your own route: This loop is only a suggestion. Feel free to modify it.

Direction of description: clockwise from Slate Run.

Description: The BFT is one of PA’s premier trails, famous for its views, ruggedness, and scenery. Construction began in 1969 and was finished in 1972. It has been a backpacking destination ever since. But there is so much more. A whole system of other trails connect to the BFT, allowing for countless loop options. I recently decided to explore one of them.

From the large parking area is Slate Run, I crossed Pine Creek and turned left on Naval Road, and followed it for about a mile. Descend and cross Naval Run, turn right on a trail that follows a grade above the creek. Reach the BFT above Naval Run Falls and turn right. Begin the biggest climb of the loop with lots of switchbacks. At the top, there are several excellent views.

Leave the BFT and stay straight on the Gas Line Road, a gated grassy old road. Reach a gate and veer right onto Laurel Path, a scenic hike into a pine forest. Cross a clearing and reach PA 44. Cross PA 44 and follow the George Will trail into a forest of pine and laurel. The trail gets brushy with ferns but is pretty easy to follow. Return to and turn right onto the BFT. The BFT follows the edge of the plateau with several nice views. Drop into a glen with rhododendron tunnels and a cascading creek. There is a small campsite. Climb out and cross several nice meadows. Turn right onto Blackberry Trail. This trail is a nice forest walk. Cross PA 44 and follow the Pine Bog Trail. This is a very nice trail and a highlight as it explores a deep forest of red and white pine. When the loop begins, veer right. At the end of the loop, veer right onto a woods road and pass a cabin. Turn right on Manor Fork Road, cross Old Mountain Road, and turn left onto the BFT.

Hike through a scenic forest of pine and laurel. Drop into a gorge with a cascading creek. Leave the BFT and turn left onto the yellow Old Supply Trail, a great trail with cascades, views of the creeks, and small campsites. Cross Slate Run Road and continue onto Manor Fork Trail, another great trail with streamside hiking. However, there are several stream crossings that can be tough in high water. Reach some cabins and veer left onto Slate Run Trail (cool bedrock gorge off to the right). Climb the trail as it clings to the steep mountain side. Slate Run roars directly below. Climb to Francis Road, follow the BFT.

The rest of the hike is one the BFT. Descend to Slate Run and cross Morris Run with a nice falls. Enter the Algerine Wild Area and hike up beautiful Red Run with great camping, big boulders, cascades, and small falls. The glen becomes more rugged with rocks and boulders. The climb steepens and then levels at the top with more views.

Cross the top of the plateau with hardwoods and laurel. Descend to an old quarry with excellent views, and then another old quarry with more views. The trail follows a narrow ridge with cool rock outcrops, crosses Slate Run, and enters the village of Slate Run. Cross the bridge and return to your car.

I really enjoyed the loop and look forward to creating more loops off the BFT. I think this is one of PA’s best weekend backpacking loops.

My route is pink, not marked that way on the ground. Blue dots are waterfalls. C is for campsites.

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Trostle Pond, Lackawanna State Park

Length: About an 8 mile loop

Parking: Several places to park, but I started here 41.554774, -75.705585 (South Shore parking on map)

Difficulty: Moderate. Terrain is hilly, but there are no steep climbs or descents

Highlights: Lake Lackawanna, Trostle Pond, Kennedy Creek, ravines, streams, hemlock forests, meadows, pastoral views, old stone walls. Trails are generally well maintained. It’s easy to extend the hike into adjoining preserves. An extensive trail system surrounds the state park.

Issues: Trails are popular with mountain bikers and can be curvy. There are many trail intersections, and trail connections that aren’t on the map. Trail junctures are numbered as reflected in the map below. Using AllTrails or Gaia is a good idea.

Direction of description: Clockwise

Description: Lackawanna State Park is a beautiful place to go for a hike, with a vast network of trails to choose from and countless loop options. This is one of my favorites.

From the parking area near South Shore (near No. 31), cross States Creek and follow Snowflake Trail with views of the lake. Descend to the dam, where there is often a waterfall at the spillway. Follow a road and turn onto Northwoods Trail as it explores a hemlock ravine with a small creek and ferns, a scenic place. Pass a beaver pond and hike under large hemlocks. Cross a road and descend to Trostle Pond, another highlight with meadows.

Descend and cross a small creek, then climb along meadows. Follow Bull Hill Trail into a hemlock cove with a creek. Climb and a side trail takes you to fields; you can hike out to a knoll with nice views. Return to the forest with impressive stone walls and enter the Countryside Conservancy‘s Ziegler Preserve. Pass more stone walls, descend to a parking area, and cross a road. Hike along the creek, cross the bridge, and turn right onto Bassett Path. Veer right onto Lake Shore Trail. Hike along the shore with views, hemlocks, and ledges.

Enter the scenic ravine of Kennedy Creek and cross it on bridges. Follow Ranger Trail with more views of the lake and small groves of spruce and pine. Cross PA 524 and then turn right onto Tunnel Trail, which goes into a tunnel under PA 407. Follow a trail to the left behind the forestry/park office and return to your car.

Route is purple, trails not marked that color. Maps from the Countryside Conservancy.

Twin Mountain Vista

Length: About 36 miles

Difficulty: This is a challenging loop with big climbs, steep descents, stream crossings without bridges. This route is difficult.

Highlights: Several views, cascades and waterfalls, scenic streams, gorges, rock formations, nice campsites. While this loop is challenging, you are rewarded with superb scenery.

Parking: The parking areas along the rail trail at Slate Run, Tomb Flats, or Clark Farm are all good. Tomb Flats might be ideal as it breaks up the walk on the rail trail.

Trail conditions: This route was pretty easy to navigate with decent navigational skills. Most trails are blazed, but some are not. Some trails are brushy, but overall, this loop was in pretty good shape.

Issues: You will need to walk parts of the rail trail and some forest roads. There are stream crossings without bridges, particularly along Manor Fork. Slate Run Trail also hugs the very steep slope of a gorge. Nettle can be an issue in some places, such a Wolf Run on the Golden Eagle Trail, but I did not encounter a lot of it. You cannot camp on the Golden Eagle or Hilborn Trails, so that section needs to be hiked in a day. If hiking counterclockwise from Tomb Flats, your closest camping are the dry sites on the Black Forest Trail.

Maintained by: Much of this route is maintained by the PA Trail Dogs and Keystone Trails Association. The Slate Run area has a trail race in June.

Choose your own route: The great thing about this area is all the side trails, so feel free to lengthen, shorten, or take different routes. My route is only a suggestion.

Amenities: This loop has amenities. Most parking areas along the rail trail have pit toilets. Slate Run has a restaurant and small store.

Blazes: Black Forest and Golden Eagle Trails are orange. Other side trails are yellow. Some trails do not have blazes.

Would I hike this again? Yes, this loop was superb.

Direction of description: Counterclockwise from Tomb Flats parking area.

Description: The Black Forest and Golden Eagle Trails (BFT and GET) are two of PA’s premier trails, famous for their vistas and fine scenery. Backpackers have overlooked the GET because you can’t camp on it, but I became curious if it was possible to loop the two trails together. Looking at the map, it appeared possible.

This loop is unique for all of its excellent views, and it allows backpackers to experience both sides of the Pine Creek Gorge. It goes from mountain vistas down to the edge of Pine Creek. While it was a challenge, I really enjoyed it.

From Tomb Flats, hike south on the rail trail with views of Pine Creek. Follow the GET and climb to Ravenshorn and its iconic view. Descend a narrow ridge with rock formations and hike up beautiful Wolf Run, a narrow, wooded gorge with small waterfalls and cascades. At the top are two excellent views. Beulahland Vista is particularly serene. Now leave the GET and follow unblazed, obvious Beulahland Road for a mile and a half. It descends and reaches an obvious Y, turn left and climb on a grassy forest road, also unblazed. Reach the stunning Twin Mountain Vista, one of the finest in Pine Creek area. Now follow an unblazed and well established footpath on an old, narrow grade along the ridge. Keep an eye out for the unique W Tree.

Descend and then begin a climb, the trail gets brushy but was easy to follow. This is the Hilborn or Hilborn Bald Trail, although there aren’t any signs. Reach the top and a fine view from a meadow. The peak of Hemlock Mountain rises in the distance. Descend the spine of the ridge and it gets steep in places. The trail is a little brushy, but is generally easy to follow or discern. Pass Hilborn Bald Vista. The descent becomes very steep as you near the bottom. Pop out on the rail trail. Hilborn Run is a good place to rest and fill water bottles. Remember, the closest campsites on the BFT are dry so you will need to fill and haul water from here.

Walk the rail trail, which is a pleasant stretch with ledges dripping with springs. Cross the historic iron bridge at Hilborn and turn left on an unblazed forest road; there is a gate. Climb gradually. Watch for a Y at the top of the climb and turn right; there is another gate above, that is the way you want to go. Follow the old grade and reach the BFT, turn right, and reach a view and old quarry. Dry camping is possible here. Continue a gradual climb on the BFT to a superb view and dry campsite. The climb continues to the plateau where it levels with mountain laurel. Dip down to a spring and climb again. The BFT turns left at the Algerine Trail (I took this trail when hiking another excellent loop, the Big Four in the Gorge). Reach a view, and then another above Red Run, with camping. Descend along rugged Red Run with cascades, small waterfalls, and large boulders. At the bottom, hike along this scenic stream with nice camping. Hike over to Morris Run, with a waterfall. Follow Morris Run Road, cross Slate Run, and climb to Francis Road, all on the BFT.

Where the BFT climbs from the road, on the right, turn left on the yellow Slate Run Trail. This is a scenic trail as it hugs the sides of a deep gorge above Slate Run; you can hear the rapids below. Reach a gravel road and some cabins. Here you can do a side hike. For the side hike, turn left on the road and then right down to Manor Fork. Enter an impressive gorge with cliffs and overhangs. Follow the unblazed trail up along Slate Run for a quarter mile to a broad seven foot falls and giant, aquamarine swimming hole carved in the bedrock. I think this falls is called Manor Falls. Do not hike here in high water.

If you skip the side hike, at the cabin, veer right on the yellow Manor Fork Trail. This trail is also scenic, offering fine streamside hiking with several creek crossings; do not hike here in high water. Cross Slate Run Road and follow the yellow Old Supply Trail, another scenic trail that explores a wooded gorge above Manor Fork. Veer left up Foster Hollow and enjoy mossy cascades. Follow the BFT and climb out of Foster Hollow. Continue on to Manor Fork Road. Where the BFT turns left and goes down to Little Slate Run, I stayed on the road because I didn’t feel like descending to Little Slate Run only to climb out of it. I followed the road to the Gas Line Trail and turned left, which returned me to the BFT.

The BFT follows a ridge with many fine views and is a highlight. There are superb views of the Pine Creek Gorge. Descend on switchbacks to Naval Run and veer right upstream on the BFT to the top of Naval Run Falls. Cross the creek. Leave the BFT and turn left down an obvious, scenic old woods road which offers views of the creek and gorge below. At the yellow trail, veer left, cross Naval Run, and hike Naval Run Road to Slate Run, cross the bridge, and turn right on the rail trail. Hike that back to Tomb Flats. What a loop!

This loop is one of PA’s Best Weekend Backpacking Loops.

Legend for the maps below:

V= vista

C= campsite

Purple highlight= recommended route

Orange highlight= alternate routes to lengthen or shorten the loop

Blue dots= cascades or waterfalls

Brown lines=unblazed trails

All locations are approximate. Have your own maps or navigational aids when hiking this loop.

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Mosquito Creek Gorge

Length: About 25 miles.

Parking: This description begins from Lost Run and Riddle Roads, 41.228527, -78.213407 . There is also parking here: 41.215246, -78.244261 . Roads may be inaccessible in winter.

Difficulty: Moderate. This loop has lots of cruisey terrain. Biggest climbs and descents are at the southern end, about 600 vertical feet. There are hilly climbs and descents.

Trail conditions: Good. Trails are well established and most trail junctures have signs. Navigation was pretty easy. One issue is Point A on the map. There are some off trail routes you can explore, but those are easily bypassed.

Blazes: The Quehanna Trail (QT) is orange. Most other trails are yellow. A few are red.

Issues: There is no bridge across Mosquito Creek at Twelvemile Run. This can be a significant crossing; do not attempt in high water.

Highlights: Views, meadows, glades, spruce and moss forest, diverse forests, good campsites, Kunes camp ruins, old splash dams, beaver dams and ponds, pine forests, wild elk, good isolation, wildflowers, scenic streams, rapids, cascades, large boulders.

Direction of description. Clockwise from parking area at Lost Run and Riddle Roads.

Description: This is a superb loop that needs to be on every hiker’s list. It features excellent scenery and mostly moderate-easy terrain. From historic ruins to diverse scenery, this loop is a joy to hike. The Quehanna Wild Area is a backpacker’s paradise, and this loop proves it.

Hike south on the yellow Panther Run Trail. The scenery begins immediately with a stunning moss and spruce forest. Cross vast meadows with sandstone boulders. Climb to an old road, drop into a valley, and turn left, staying on the Panther Run Trail. See more meadows and a series of beaver dams and ponds. Climb to the red Bellefonte Posse Trail and turn right. This trail is very cruisey through open hardwoods with pines and a few meadows.

Reach Chipper Road and turn left. You are looking for where the yellow Kunes Camp Connector Trail joins from the right; it is easy to miss. It is near a small meadow or glade surrounded by pines. Look for yellow blazes. Point A is at about 41.21292, -78.18525. Turn right on the connector trail which is pretty well blazed but not as established as the others. It goes through open woods with pines and a large rock outcrop. It’s a nice trail. Cross a creek, climb to the boulder city at the Kunes Camp ruins. Enjoy the unique ruins, an old hunting lodge built between giant boulders. Explore the rocks.

At the ruin, turn right onto the yellow Kunes Camp Trail and descend. This is another great trail with pines, glades, and creeks. Every trail here seems to have beauty. Veer left onto Erie Camp Trail and cross a meadow. Cross a creek and climb with laurel, pines, and white birch. The woods open at the top with glades of teaberry and ferns. Turn right onto Cole Run Trail and then right on the orange QT or Mohawk Trail. The open woods continue with areas of laurel. You will notice side trails identified with numbers. There is a good dry campsite at Trail 10.

Cross a powerline with a view and the QT goes through laurel. Descend into the gorge with giant boulders. Reach the site of Corporation Dam, largely eroded away but still has a pond. Cross Twelvemile Run on a bridge and reach a nice campsite. Cross Mosquito Creek. There is no bridge. Be careful, this is a sizeable creek. Pass a hunting cabin and climb up the ridge, the biggest climb of the loop. There is a good dry campsite. Reach the juncture of the QT and yellow Gifford Ridge Trail, which is the old route of the QT. I hear the Gifford Ridge Trail is a much better route, so that is what I took. It is a great trail. There is a rocky climb then a cool ridgewalk with partial views and a neat rock outcrop. When the trees are bare, there are views off both sides of the ridge. The trail was in good shape. Pass through laurel and groves of pitch pine. Return to the QT at a powerline and an excellent view looking down the gorge; enjoy the view.

Follow the QT along the edge of the gorge; the water roared far below. Enjoy another fine view, a powerline, and pass a register. Turn right onto Lost Run Road, leaving the QT. Follow the yellow East Cross Connector (ECC). On this hike, I decided to stay on the road to see two off trail features which you can easily choose to skip. But they are worth seeing. One is just off the road–a collection of giant boulders with a good view of the gorge. A memorial plaque was at the view but I couldn’t read it.

The other is the south rim meadow and view. If you like meadows, you might want to see it. At Point B (about 41.21291, -78.24929), follow an unblazed path on an old woods road. It was easy to follow when I hiked it. Reach D (about 41.21309, -78.25230), with some old yellow paint marks, and follow game trails right onto the meadow. It’s brushy, but it wasn’t bad and fairly low. The huge meadow opens up to fine views of the gorge (about 41.215545, -78.255895).

Follow the road down to Mosquito Creek with parking. I like the creek down here, it has a wild, isolated feel. You can see the remnants of the Blackwell Splash Dam. Hike up the road and turn left off of it on the yellow ECC. Drop down to Meeker Run with large boulders, cascades, and a small falls. Turn left onto Crawford Vista Trail and climb among large rocks to a scenic pine forest. Reach the view where dry camping is possible. The view is awesome, offering a wide panorama of the gorge from a meadow. Hike along other meadows, enter the woods, and turn left onto Mosquito Creek Trail.

Follow an old railroad grade and cross meadows. Descend among giant sandstone boulders and reach Bridge Trail with a register. A campsite is off to the left on the Mosquito Creek Trail. Hike up Bridge Trail along beautiful Mosquito Creek with rapids and giant boulders. Cross stunning meadows. It looks like Dolly Sods in places. I took an off trail route to see more meadows, but you can also stay on Bridge Trail. Turn right onto the ECC with more meadows. Enter the woods and descend to Meeker Run. Turn left onto Ralph Seeley Trail with more meadows, glades, big rocks, wetlands, and a scenic creek. Turn right onto Red Run Trail and follow it back to your car.

This loop is truly beautiful. I will surely hike it again. I never tire of the Quehanna Wild Area. This is one of PA’s best weekend backpacking loops.

P is parking. C is camping. Black dots are large rocks or boulders. Blue are cascades or rapids. Light green highlights are meadow areas. Route of the loop is purple/pink. Brown lines are off trail. Locations are approximate.

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Fish Dam Overlook at main trailhead.

Length: The west loop is about 33 miles; the entire Chuck Keiper Trail (CKT) loop is about 50 miles.

Blazes: The CKT is orange.

Parking: Main trailhead at Fish Dam Overlook: 41.236116, -77.782252 Also, near Yost Run: 41.174862, -77.878551

Highlights: Scenic streams with streamside hiking, great campsites, isolation, deep gorges and glens, many cascades, Yost Run and Kyler Fork Falls, Owl Run, different forest types, hemlock and pine forests, meadows, and glades, large boulders, spring wildflowers, superb view at main trailhead. Mountain laurel and rhododendron blooms. Historic features like a splash dam, old hunting cabins, and old railroad grades.

Difficulty: Overall, this is a difficult and challenging loop. The loop south of PA 144 has moderate terrain; north is very rugged as the trail follows narrow sidehill and dives in and out of gorges. There are wet areas.

Issues: Nettle is an issue in summer, trail can be overgrown in summer. Narrow sidehill. There are many stream crossings without bridges; do not hike in high water. There were some blowdowns. There are few views but that may change in the future.

Trail conditions: See description above. The CKT had not received much maintenance for several years, but recently the Keystone Trails Association has been working on the trail and it is in better shape than in years past. More trails are planned in the future, with vistas. The CKT is also envisioned to be part of the PA Wilds Megaloop, a 300-400 mile backpacking route.

Direction of description: Clockwise from main trailhead at Fish Dam Overlook.

Map of the

Description: From the parking area, cross PA 144 and turn left. This is the East Branch Trail, the cross connector of the CKT loop. Descend into the woods with glades. Go around a wetland, cross a gravel road and proceed down a scenic creek with laurel and pine. Camping is possible at some large boulders. There are well-built footbridges. Reach the other end of the loop at a sign and turn right on the CKT, on the west loop. Climb into hardwoods and hike along private land.

Descend to Coon Run Road and follow it for a short distance. Hike up scenic Swamp Branch with hemlocks and a great campsite. Cross the creek on a bridge and climb gradually. Enter a section of beautiful pine forests and small meadows. Cross Penrose Road with more pines; watch yourself on an old wooden bridge that is deteriorating. Cross Hicks Road and make a long, cruisey descent to West Branch Big Run. There is great camping and beautiful streams with rapids and mossy boulders. Climb away from the creek and pass a white birch forest. Cross DeHaas Road and descend into an odd glen; the creek is often underground as the trail follows an old railroad grade with ties. Large pines tower overhead. Cross Eddy Lick Run with a great campsite. Hike up the run and pass an old splash dam, used to float logs downstream during the lumber era. The hike up Eddy Lick is scenic, but tiring with the rocky sidehill and unsteady terrain. Pass great campsites, across the creek.

Cross PA 144 and a parking area. Descend to Yost Run. Now, the CKT becomes much harder. Pass a cabin that seems to belong in Snow White and continue along the scenic creek to Yost Run Falls, about 12 feet tall. A large ledge towers overhead. Downstream, in this beautiful glen, is Kyler Fork Falls, which looks like Yost Run Falls. Enjoy this place. There is a fire ring but the camping is poor. Descend Yost Run. The trail climbs and then drops several times on narrow sidehill; it is tiring. It gets close to the creek a few times. The trail goes through laurel and rhododendron.

Climb up Second Fork. The sidehill here improves as you climb up the deep gorge. At the top are hemlocks, cascades, and rhododendron tunnels. Pass a hunting cabin with a spring coming from a hose. Soon thereafter, level off in a scenic pine forest with a superb campsite. Cross Fisher Fire Road and drop into Owl Run. I like Owl Run. It’s a rugged gorge with big boulders, moss, hemlocks, and cascades. The trail stays close to the creek so you can enjoy it. Go up Burns Run and reach an epic campsite complete with split wood and flagstone tables. Wow.

Climb up sidehill above Burns Run, but creek side hiking returns along JU Branch with small cascades and wildflowers. Reach the top, hike through pines, cross Jews Run Road and drop into a side drainage down to Fish Dam Run, with a nice campsite. Hike up Fish Dam Run; there is a lot of barberry. The barberry recedes and the climb steepens along a glen. Level off at the top with pines and a meadow. Cross PA 144, climb a low ridge, and drop back to PA 144, across from the main trailhead.

The CKT is best for the experienced backpacker looking for isolation and a challenge. This is not a beginner’s trail. It is isolated and rugged. You will negotiate narrow sidehill above creeks and streams. There are several stream crossings without bridges. The CKT makes you work for it, but reaching your car at the end makes you feel like you accomplished something.

C is for camping. Locations are approximate. C is for camping. Locations are approximate.

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Hammerhead Chasm

Parking: lot here 41.528443, -76.870049

Length: Variable as this is mostly an off trail hike, but you can expect to hike 6-8 miles.

Issues: Hiking to the rocks is just off the Old Loggers Path (OLP), so off trail hiking is required. Woods are mostly open. There is no significant climbing to reach the rocks, but the terrain around them is difficult and rugged. Watch your step and footing. There can be gaps where you step.

Highlights: Impressive rock outcrops, overhangs, chasms, boulder cities, caves.

Description: I parked along Yellow Dog Road and hiked the OLP in. Shortly after the pipeline swath, I turned off trail and climbed to Doe Run Rocks. The northern part of the escarpment had smaller rocks and mini-mazes. The southern part had larger rocks, ledges, and chasms. The highlight for me was the Hammerhead Chasm, an impressive chasm with a massive, leaning hammerhead-like rock formation. Nearby was an incredible rock or boulder city. I headed north and the rocks became a little smaller, but I found the moss squeeze, a mossy mini canyon. Large boulders continued to the northwest corner of the Doe Run Rocks escarpment.

I then hiked the OLP and turned off trail to the Buck Run Rocks. The OLP map says the “Big Rocks” are there. This place is amazing. I explored the south side of the escarpment with giant boulder cities. I turned the corner to see Right Angle Chasm and then massive boulders and ledges. The boulders were jumbled onto each other. What a place. I saw the Fracture Cave, an impressive tectonic cave–a gash in the huge cliff. Then there was an overhang. I explored some more ledges and then hiked out.

If you love rock formations, ledges, boulders, chasms, mini-canyons, and caves, you need to explore this place. It has some of the finest rock features in the Loyalsock.

Table Top Rock (old photo) Black dots are rocks. Terrain around the rocks is rugged. Locations are approximate.

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Black Forest Trail, Pine Creek Gorge, PA

What is it? The Atlantic Highlands Loop (AHL) is a 1,800-1,900ish mile proposed loop along the Appalachian Trail and other inter-connecting trails, from the Adirondack High Peaks to Shenandoah National Park.

Why the name? Much of the loop is in the Atlantic Highlands Ecoregion. The word “Atlantic” denotes the expansive nature of the loop and is a word many parts of the loop can relate to. While the west has two long trails referencing the Pacific, the east does not have one referencing the Atlantic.

The longest loop? This is the longest loop along existing trails in the country, and maybe the world (a combination of Europe’s long-distance trails may create a longer loop). The Great Western Loop is much longer but has significant gaps.

Why have this loop? First, it’s a loop. A long-distance hike on a loop is largely unheard of. Second, many hikers do not realize an entire system of scenic trails connect to the Appalachian Trail (AT). These trails have incredible beauty and many could use more hikers. This loop offers a unique experience of hiking the popular AT with its thriving culture and community, with little-known trails that are isolated and have fewer hikers. This loop also serves as a gateway to these other trail systems, introducing hikers to welcoming towns and stunning landscapes that cannot be found on the AT.

Appalachian and Long Trails, Vermont

Highlights. The AHL is very rugged and strikingly beautiful. It features the alpine summits of the Adirondack High Peaks, glacial lakes, waterfalls, gorges, glens, pastoral scenery, the stunning Catskills, and the world-class waterfall gorges of Watkins Glen and Treman State Parks. It features the Pine Creek Gorge, old growth forests, rock formations, quaint towns, and historic ruins.

Challenges. The AHL is very challenging. Not all trails are maintained to the level of the AT. There is more road walking, although it is a small percentage of the loop. It is more isolated. And parts of it, such as in the Catskills and Adirondacks, are as rugged, if not more rugged, than any part of the AT. Hiking the AHL may be like hiking the AT decades ago. You will need to be more self-reliant to hike the AHL.

Catskills

Has anyone hiked the entire AHL? Not to my knowledge.

Trails that make up the AHL. Appalachian Trail, Tuscarora Trail, Standing Stone Trail, Mid State Trail, Golden Eagle Trail, Black Forest Trail, Pine Creek Rail Trail, Long Branch Trail, West Rim Trail, Finger Lakes Trail, Long Path, Northville Placid Trail, North Country Trail, Long Trail, and smaller trails.

Do your research. To hike the AHL, you will have to educate yourself about all the trails that make up the loop. Most of those trails have websites or social media pages, and some are on FarOut.

Are there cross connectors to shorten the loop? Yes, see the New York and Pennsylvania maps.

Maps. Maps can be found on trail websites, linked below. For smaller trails, those maps are below.

Part of something bigger. The AHL is a part of the Great Appalachian Traverse, a route from Alabama to Maine.

Overview map of the Atlantic Highlands Loop. Red is the AT. Purple is the west side of the AHL.

Overview description of the AHL:

East side of the loop: Follows the Appalachian Trail from Maine Junction, near Killington, VT, to the Tuscarora Trail juncture in the northern part of Shenandoah National Park, VA.

West side of the loop:

Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania: Follow the Tuscarora Trail from the AT in Shenandoah National Park, north to Cowans Gap State Park, PA.

Pennsylvania: At Cowans Gap State Park follow the Standing Stone Trail north to the Mid State Trail. Follow the Mid State Trail north. North of Little Pine State Park, follow Barrens Road to the , , , and West Rim Trail (and maps). Follow the Pine Creek Rail Trail to Wellsboro and side roads to Hills Creek State Park. Rejoin the Mid State Trail to the New York border.

Route of the AHL in PA. Here, the northern end of the Tuscarora Trail serves as a cross connector.  From the Mid State Trail heading north, leave the trail and follow Barrens Road to a gate, hike behind the gate. Follow the obvious road to a private property gate, hike the grassy road to the right around private property to the Golden Eagle Trail. Continue on to the rail trail, Black Forest Trail, side trails, and Long Branch Trail. This is a beautiful section of the AHL with deep gorges, views, cascades, and Slate Run, a scenic village with amenities. The AHL follows the scenic Long Branch Trail to the popular West Rim Trail. It then follows the Pine Creek Rail Trail, which now extends into Wellsboro, one of the finest trail towns on the AHL. Follow roads to the Mid State Trail, near Hills Creek State Park, and continue north to New York.

New York: Follow the Crystal Hills Trail to the Finger Lakes Trail and hike east through stunning Watkins Glen and Treman State Parks. The waterfalls and shale gorges are incredible. The Finger Lakes Trail features pastoral scenery, towns, meadows, ponds, and a nice system of shelters. The Finger Lakes Trail becomes more rugged as it heads east into the beautiful Catskills. Meet the Long Path, go north on it to Northville, and continue on the Northville Placid Trail. At Duck Hole, leave the Northville Placid Trail and hike various trails through the incredible, challenging Adirondack High Peaks. Follow the North Country Trail to Vermont.

Route of the AHL in NY. The North Country, Long Path, and Shawangunk Ridge Trails serve as alternate routes or cross connectors.  If hiking north, leave the Northville Placid Trail at Duck Hole and hike to Henderson Lake. Hike north through the dramatic and rugged Indian Pass to the Adirondack Loj. The AHL is routed to the Adirondack Loj because it has food, lodging, and the ability to get a ride into Lake Placid. Basemap by Adirondack Mtn Club. Here, the AHL goes through the dramatic heart of the High Peaks. It is very challenging and beautiful. Enjoy stunning Lake Colden, the rapids and falls of the Opalescent River, Lake Tear of the Clouds (the source of the Hudson River), and the alpine climb up to Mt. Marcy. Next, tackle the Great Range. The scramble up Saddleback Mountain from Basin Mountain is a challenge. The view from Pyramid Peak is among the best in the High Peaks. Descend to Rainbow Falls and climb to the iconic view over Lower Ausable Lake. Hike out via Elk Lake; this is private land, stay on the trail and road. Basemap by Adirondack Mtn Club. Stay on the trail and road across the Elk Lake Easement. Enter Hoffman Notch Wilderness to the North Country Trail. The AHL follows the Hoffman Notch Trail to the Big Pond Trail/North Country Trail (NCT). Follow the NCT east over Jones Hill with several views. Upon leaving the wilderness, continue east on the NCT into Vermont.

Vermont: Follow the North Country Trail to the iconic Long Trail. Hike the Long Trail south to Maine Junction and the AT.

Brown Fork Falls

Length: Our route was about 14 miles, yours may vary.

Parking: Lot on Silver Springs Rd. 41.474697, -77.374302 Road was in good shape, likely not maintained in winter.

Trail conditions: Most of this hike is off trail or on logging or old rail grades that are unblazed. Part of this hike is on the orange blazed Mid State Trail (MST).

Issues: Do not hike this in high water. Nettle will be an issue in summer. Several stream crossings required. Must hike along streams, off trail. Some waterfalls will be a trickle in dry periods.

Highlights: Many waterfalls, cascades, slides, and pools. Deep, rugged, and isolated gorges. Pristine streams. Wildflowers. Open hardwood forests.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. As far as bushwhack hikes go, this one had little brush or laurel. The woods are open. I hiked it in April, so it will be more overgrown in summer. There are blowdowns on the old grades, and saplings and beech brush to deal with. This has been one of my “easier” bushwhack hikes. You should be comfortable with off trail hiking and have good navigational skills.

Description: Park at a powerline swath and notice a gated game commission road. Follow it. This gate is open parts of the year and you can drive it to a closer parking area. Hike to the last parking area, and follow a jeep road. Descend to a cabin along Brown Fork, and reach the MST. Hike the MST north on an old grade into a spruce forest. To your left is Brown Fork, which you’ll be following. The MST turns right and climbs; stay on the old grade. There are saplings. The grade is well defined as it enters an open, scenic gorge. Reach a run-down shanty. The grade ends; private property is nearby. Skirt along the boundary line, which is near the creek.

Bedrock cascades begin to appear with slides and pools. Reach a side tributary with cascades. Continue down Brown Fork and reach beautiful Brown Fork Falls. It is a double falls in a grotto with a deep pool. While no more than 8 feet tall, it can be a powerful falls; a side stream tumbles down the east slope. Below is several hundred yards of bedrock slides, falls, pools, and cascades. It’s beautiful. Enjoy the wildflowers through here.

Reach the MST and Trout Run at a grassy forest road. We took the road to the left, or west, down to Wheatfield Hollow to a falls, as well as another falls. Trout Run is very scenic with ledges, cliffs, and pools. It is well worth exploring. We then returned to Brown Fork and saw Hoyt Hollow Falls, an impressive 20 foot falls when flowing well. There were hundreds of red trillium blooming. The MST left the road, but we continued on it. The surrounding open forests and gorges made for a beautiful hike. We followed an unblazed grade above Sherman Fork, which flowed in a deep gorge. We dropped down to the creek to see a series of awesome falls and slides over bedrock. Crescent Falls was a crescent shaped falls into a pool. The tallest was Merganser Falls, named for the two mergansers we saw swimming there. Above was a scenic twin cascades. Sherman Fork is a beautiful creek.

From there, we just hiked up Sherman Fork. The woods were open and the hiking pretty easy with lots of creek crossings. As Sherman Fork curved east, or left, we took a dry side drainage to the right to avoid the laurel. It was a vigorous climb and brought us to the gated road, near the last parking area. From there we hiked out.

This was an awesome hike to a hidden place few hikers have ventured. Pine Creek Gorge is beloved by hikers, and this is one of its secret gems. The MST offers access to this wonderland. Trout Run is a special place due to its isolation and scenery. It is quiet, serene, and set apart. If you’re up for an off trail adventure, see it for yourself.

Blue dots are falls and cascades. Brown lines are unblazed grades or forest road. Green line is unblazed grassy forest road. Purple highlight is my route; not marked that way on the ground. Only blazed trail is Mid State Trail. Locations are approximate. Have your own navigation aids.

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Hoagland Chasm

Parking: pull off parking for about two cars at Dry Run and Bear Wallow Roads.

Length: Variable due to off trail hiking, but up to 4 miles.

Trail conditions: part of this hike follows an obvious forest grade, but no trails are blazed or have signs. To see the waterfalls, gorges, and chasm, you must hike off trail along and in the creeks.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. The grade is easy, but the terrain around the creeks is very steep in places. Hiking along the creeks is challenging.

Issues: Do not do this hike in high water, it will be very dangerous.

Highlights: Waterfalls, cascades, gorges, hemlocks, superb spring wildflowers, Hoagland Chasm.

Prior visit: I first came here nine years ago and always wanted to return.

Description: This is a stunning place in the beloved Loyalsock State Forest. At Dry Run Road, notice an old forest road or grade going north; it has a gate. Follow it. There is a footpath at first but it fades out as you hike. If you hike here in late April or May, expect to see lots of wildflowers.

The grade is very gentle as it descends. Reach a private property line off to your left, and Slaskey Run. The grade curves to the right. Reach a Y in the grade; I like to veer left and work my way down to Weed Creek. From here, I hike along the creeks. On this hike, I followed Weed Creek up to the state forest boundary passing some cliffs and a slide. I reached Fern Glen, a serene and beautiful spot with a large slide and cascade in a glen of moss, ferns, hemlocks, and even the rare yew. Private land is above the falls, but you can see upstream where there are more falls. I then returned to the juncture of Weed Creek and Slaskey Run.

I followed Weed Creek down into an impressive gorge with ledges, cliffs, boulders, slides, and pools. I then reached the top of Weed Creek Falls, a beautiful falls twenty or so feet tall. I worked my way around the falls, the terrain was steep, and the impressive gorge continued with large moss covered boulders.

Cascades brought me to Hoagland Branch at a pool and deep gorge. I turned left and went upstream. The Hoagland Chasm was just ahead. To see it, you must walk in and along the creek. The creek is sizeable; do not hike this in high water. The chasm is about 800 feet long and a hundred or so feet deep. It was amazing. Red rock cliffs rose above me, caked with lichens. The creek tumbled over rapids into deep bedrock pools and slid over smooth bedrock. Moss carpeted the steep slopes. I was as impressed as the first time I saw it. It is a cathedral of rock and water.

The chasm narrowed and I clung to the ledges above deep pools. I hiked below a towering cliff; the creek cascaded against it. This place was wild and primeval. Moss stretched below the hemlocks.

Private property is at the north end of the chasm, so I turned around. I made my way back and decided to follow Slaskey Run. While no falls are more than six feet tall, this is a very scenic creek, with six or seven falls in mossy bedrock grottos and deep pools. I then returned to the old grade and hiked out.

You will notice the geology is different here. The bedrock is tilted up, from south to north. The creeks cut against this angle, creating all these gorges and waterfalls.

While in the area, see scenic Bear Wallow Pond and the Loyalsock’s hidden waterfalls.

This another place that reveals the remarkable beauty of Pennsylvania.

Blue dots are falls or cascades. Brown line is an unblazed forest road or grade. Terrain is steep and potentially dangerous along the creeks. Locations are approximate.

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