Eastern PAns unite! I know of only a few Eastern PA people here on BPL (Tom, Brian Fitz), and I’d like to get to know more!

What for? Maybe some hikes, overnights, longer sections, and even meet-n-greets, gear swaps/shakedowns, etc.

I live in Upper Bucks, and would like to find other like-minded people to strike out into wilderness with. I’d like to get some more PA AT sections done and maybe some other cool trips (Old Loggers Path).

Who else is out there?

Great idea, Joe. I live in Nazareth, PA about 15 minutes from where the AT crosses Wind Gap. Sometimes it seems like all of the UL action is in the Sierras or Montana, so it would be nice to get some folks together in the NE.

Who else is in our neck of the woods?

York, PA here! Close to the AT through Cumberland Co. and SGL #211, also the Mason-Dixon Trail.

Tom, Thanks for chiming in. See, I never knew that Stewart was out there.

I need to complete the southern 2/3 of the PA AT.

Anyone up for an "Inferno" dayhike?

Edited by joegeib on 02/23/2008 20:53:40 MST.

Sounds like fun since I would like to do more of the AT here in PA. I haven't gotten south of Cabelas yet. Although you'll have to explain what an inferno dayhike is, and I have to negotiate some time.

http://www.satc-hike.org/hikemap.html

Here are some areas in Central PA area, if you want to check them out.

http://home.comcast.net/~StAnthonyWilderness/picpage.htm

St. Anthony's is on the top of my list for this spring, it seems to have everything, easy access, AT portions, side trails, a whole lot of scenery and some cool sites, lottsa water....

The Inferno is the 15-mile section of the AT along the Cumberland Valley in PA. It's from Boiling Springs to just shy of Duncannon. They call it The Inferno is because it goes thru all farmfields, and no woods; it gets awfully hot in the summer, when AT Thru-hikers get there.

The 'Inferno' wasn't quite as exposed as I was expecting and hoping on my thru last year. The section just before Boiling Springs through fields was absolutely jaw-droppingly beautiful though. I wish the section after Boiling Springs was as intense. It had it's moments, but not 15 mi worth!

I'd like to do that hike. Ironically, I grew up on a farm in western PA, but left because it was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and too much hard work all year round.

Heads up...since I used to live in TN, I've gone to Trail Days for the last several years. I am planning to road trip down there again this year in case anyone up here wants to check it out. There is a good collection of lightweight manufacturers there, music, and fellow hikers to chat with. There is a big group of folks from the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon that "hold court" with something/somplace they call Billville in the camping area at Trail Days.

Here is a link to photos from Trail Days 2007.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/6283/index.html?skip_to_post=56978#56978

Tom,

Thanks for the mention of Trail Days. It seems very interesting to get out there and touch all the UL goods that you can only see online.

I can't go this year (wedding). However, next year seems very available (done with school).

Hi all--I'm a new member here. I live just outside Allentown, PA. I used to be a dedicated ultralighter, but got away from backpacking for a few years (family stuff, etc). Anyway, I am looking to get back "out there". I'm game for dayhikes, weekends, whatever. I'm self-employed so I can get away just about anytime. I have hiked a lot of the AT in sections, mostly north of VA. Also interested in doing some other PA trails, such as the OLP, Mid-State, etc.

how about this, saturday april 19, at the eagles nest shelter. it has good water and plenty of places to put up tarps.and it seams to be about the middle of the road for everybody here. but it is passover weekend so if needed we can postpon it till later .that gives us a month and a half to work things out with the are wives and work.

I have engagements until about 2, but I may be able to get out for the overnight. How far in from the road is the hike? I just answered my own Q - either 5mi or 8.5mi.

I need to do that section too.

Tom,

I think that in order to fit in here, we need a picture of us with our dog.

I'm in Columbus, OH but was considering a weekend fast pack on the Laurel Highlands Trail in Ohio Pyle SP. They have great shelters along the trail, no tents, ample water, and decent scenery could make for a great weekend. Maybe this April, or June?

I don't think dogs are allowed but for posterity, I think I could fit in with most of the PA UL hikers.

Edited by GoingGrindel on 03/06/2008 09:27:52 MST.

Hey, not to get off track, but Ruffwear is by far the greatest dog gear out there! Highly recommend it. My hiking buddy is a black lab/pitt mix, we have knotaleash with the beaner on it and a few of their slip collars. Great stuff!

I would always fill my Weimaraner's pack with some water bottles even if there were plenty of creek crossings just to slow him down some. Sorry for going off topic, but...

Edited by TomClark on 03/07/2008 10:53:30 MST.

Morning,

Great thread Joe. I am not in PA, but I live right outside Philly in NJ and have been looking to do some sections of the AT and other Eastern trails in PA. I was looking for a hike to ease into the season and stumbled on Pinchot Trail. Does anyone have any experience on this trail?

Nate

The Pinchot is a nice trail--well marked, usually in good shape. Some really nice camping spots on the southern loop, particularly around Choke Creek. Southern end can be very slippery in winter/early spring, due to lots of exposed tree roots on the trail. PLenty of water, especially this time of year.

Actually I have been thinking about doing a warmup hike there too.

I did the northern loop as a day-hike with my friend last summer. It was interesting and nice. I'm somewhat interested in trying the southern section.

I think that the Northern and Southern portion is a 22 mile loop so it would probably be ideal for an overnighter. I have to agree that its probably going to be a bit wet this time of year, but its always a good excuse to make sure my rain gear is up to snuff. If anyone is interested I would probably be going on one of the first two weekends in April. Hopefully by that time I will have shaken off the winter rust...

Thanks to all of you who have contributed so far. I'm pleasantly surprised at the turnout we have here. There have been a few trips suggested on the board, and I thought I should collate them here.

AT: Eagles Nest (April 19)
St. Anthony Wilderness
Pinchot Trail
AT: Inferno (Boiling Springs/Cumberland Valley)
Laurel Highlands (April or June) *Laurels bloom in April/May
Old Loggers Path
Mid-State Trail

As for trip announcements, can I suggest that we spawn a separate thread for trip announcements, as not to clog up this thread?

Joe,
Yeah, start a clean thread, and see what comes of it. I'm interested in it.
Tom

Sounds good to me.

I PM'ed Joe about a hike, but he has his priorities messed up, and is focusing on school for now. ;)

Is anyone else in the eastern PA area interested in an overnight hike the weekend of April 19 as Brian suggested? Eagles Nest sounds OK to me, but let's talk about the approach, duration, etc.

Tom

Sounds like a good trip, but I am actually going to attempt Pinchot this weekend. Hopefully the weather holds just a bit...

Tom,

Don't throw me under the bus just yet! Work plans have changed - and may still change. That may afford me some extra time to get school work done ahead of time.

No promises yet, but I may surprise you all. What are the plans (meeting place, time?)

Edited by joegeib on 04/10/2008 14:22:20 MDT.

I'm waiting to see if anyone can commit, but I think we can be flexible to accomodate driving distance and hiking speed. An end-to-end isn't too hard along the AT here in NE PA since we can shoot between gaps on Rt. 80 pretty easily.

Sat. night is best for me.

Change of plans for me... How does April 26 sound?

Tom, I'm not sure. I may be able to go. Both dates are up in the air for me - nothing definite either way yet.

Joe, That sounds good...let's see how it works. If there's a better time for you, let us know. Nothing final yet.

i had to cancel my plans for april 19. but i do have premission from the wife and work to head out the beginnihg of may.myself and a friend are starting at the outerbridge and heading south for 2 days. sorry about bringung up a trip and not being able to go.

I'm afraid I can't make it on the 26th--I'll try to catch up with you guys on the next trip.

Tom

I'm not quite PA, but within a 20 minute drive, north of Baltimore.

Maryland doesn't have much in the way of backpacking outside of the 42 mile AT section and Green Ridge State Forest (surprisingly decent) so I'm up in PA frequently.

I'm interested in doing the Black Forest Trail in northern PA at some point this year. My wife and I drove up there a few summers ago to do a section of the trail but she suffered from an asthma attack right at the start and we had to bail. It's been on my mind ever since. Any interest amongst PA'ers here?

Russell, I would be interested. Keep me posted on when you would want to go--right now I am busy with soccer coaching and Cub Scouts, but soon will have some free time.

I've been wanting to tackle that trail for some time now.

Tom

I may be interested in the trip. Let me know when, and I'll see if I can make it.

Tom, Brian, Tom,

Anything happening soon? I can probably get away for a dayhike this weekend, by not for an overnight. Any takers?

How does a day hikke this Sunday April 27 sound?
Tom

I'm in! Any other takers?

How does an early morning (sunrise type) hike sound? You pick where. I'm in Nazareth, 10 to the AT and Rt. 22. I think availability and timing is more important than what view we'd get, but open to anything.

Tom and I are meeting at 7am at the Eckville Shelter/Hawk Mtn Road. We'll be hiking from PA 309 back down to Hawk Mtn Road.

Any other takers?

We're meeting at 7 am in the parking lot, and will shuttle back to the Rt. 309 crossing. Hope some of you other PA lightweight hikers can make it.

Sorry guys--have youth soccer games starting at noon tomorrow. One of these days I will have some free time!

Have a great hike.

Tom

Lets try to get together again:

LOOK HERE

Edited by joegeib on 05/21/2008 08:50:19 MDT.

i heading out friday into saturday i'm thinking of starting 325 and head as far south as i can get till saturday afternoon

Brian,

Right now, I can't do Friday night - I have a work commitment.