View Full Version : Hiking the PA wilds
When you're ready to get away from it all, consider an adventure in the Pennsylvania wilds (http://www.pawilds.com/hiking/index.aspx). It's got something for everyone!
Toolshed
09-12-2007, 02:04
Aaaah..... Just seeing the WRT Southern Term sign set my pulse a quickening. I haven't been there in about 8 years, but it along with the STS and BFT are my hands down favorite spots to backpack!!!
Thanks for the link
When you're ready to get away from it all, consider an adventure in the Pennsylvania wilds (http://www.pawilds.com/hiking/index.aspx). It's got something for everyone!
The web page looks nice but the info links are broken or nonexistent, so here are a couple:
Mid State Trail, official site http://www.hike-mst.org
DCNR Bureau of Forestry, official site http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/index.aspx
Pennsylvania Rose
09-12-2007, 13:08
Ahhh...my beautiful home state, which I moved away from before I had much time to explore. When I go back all my time is spent visiting my non-hiking family.
The web page looks nice but the info links are broken or nonexistent
I think it's quite new. Maybe someone needed to meet a deadline?
Seems like a good idea. I expect those responsible for it will resolve the issues you mentioned and it will improve as time goes on.
I think it's quite new. Maybe someone needed to meet a deadline?
Seems like a good idea. I expect those responsible for it will resolve the issues you mentioned and it will improve as time goes on.
Hope so, here's a better example of a new PA tourism web site (even credits the volunteers if you dig deep enough):
http://www.thealleghenies.com/hiking.aspx
Toolshed
09-13-2007, 09:18
Hope so, here's a better example of a new PA tourism web site (even credits the volunteers if you dig deep enough):
http://www.thealleghenies.com/hiking.aspx
I like this site. what was interesting, though is that when I think Alleghenies, I think of Northern PA and Alleghany National forest. I don't think of the Allegheny's as extending from State College South, so I have to re-adjust my thinking now (or learn my geography) :)
I think THEY need to learn their geography. Those guys want to cross the Allegheny Front in their socio-economically Altoona-centered vision.
For a while I've been trying to popularize the term "Tiltrock Country" in place of the clunky "Ridge-and-Valley". But they didn't ask me for proper terminology. :)
Here's another DCNR link (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/info/pawilds/index.aspx) related to PA Wilds. Click the word on the PA wilds link on DCNR's page for news.
When you're ready to get away from it all, consider an adventure in the Pennsylvania wilds (http://www.pawilds.com/hiking/index.aspx). It's got something for everyone!
I disagree. If you've hiked the Pa. AT, you've seen what Pa. hiking is like. Just keep moving. Jersey and Maryland are beautiful states. ;)
Lone Wolf
10-02-2007, 07:37
PA has "wilds"? :D
FFTorched
10-02-2007, 07:46
I'm with L.Wolfe, I've spent almost all my life in PA and these wilds people speak of. Up in northern PA in the Tioga/Bradford/Potter counties you can find some large tracts of forest but you will run into somebody's hunting cabin every five miles or so. Though hiking the West Rim Trail of the PA Grand Canyon (Yeah we got one too) was really nice during the first week of March. The roads hadn't melted yet and there wasn't a soul up there except me and my buddy on the trail.
Now central, PA is a different story, I have never been able to find a place to go hiking. I have seen every square inch of Mt. Gretna and finally had started driving the 45 + minutes from Hershey to Duncannon. One day I did drive around randomly (not cheap in my F-150) for hours and found the wilderness preserve and that was down towards Carlisle and the number of trails packed into the small area made it feel more like grid squares.
I'm so happy to be relocated down in North Carolina.
Now central, PA is a different story, I have never been able to find a place to go hiking.
I suppose all is a matter of definition, perhaps this might help some folks in the Harrisburg area: http://www.satc-hike.org/hikemap.html and this around State College: http://www.pahikes.com/ and this for the folks who think West Rim Trail is too crowded: http://www.hike-mst.org/
FFTorched
10-02-2007, 09:03
I suppose all is a matter of definition, perhaps this might help some folks in the Harrisburg area: http://www.satc-hike.org/hikemap.html and this around State College: http://www.pahikes.com/ and this for the folks who think West Rim Trail is too crowded: http://www.hike-mst.org/
Thanks for the links.
Spirit Walker
10-02-2007, 14:34
North Central PA has some beautiful forest and trails. We've seen more solitude there than we have on many a wilderness trail. It's not often that you can hike for three days on a holiday weekend and see only one other person. We've also seen a lot of wildlife there - deer, elk, bears, etc. My favorites are the 95 mile Donut Hole Trail, the 35 mile Bucktail Path, the 45 mile Chuck Keiper and the 60 mile Quehanna Trails. D e f initely beats the AT in PA.
hmm..
if i want wilds and solitude.. I would go north and east to Maine or parts of coos county New Hampshire. Or I might go west to parts of the Adirondacks. In much of Maine mountains you will see hardly anyone even on a holiday weekend. Ya just gotta avoid the AT.
I am sure PA has fine places for folks who live down there.. but i find it amusing. Going south to get a way from it all! hmm.
David
hmm..
if i want wilds and solitude.. I would go north and east to Maine or parts of coos county New Hampshire.
Guess we'll keep it that way, I suppose it's better not to know about PA's Mid State Trail that's nearly twice as long as the Cohos Trail and probably not as well used. :p
saimyoji
10-02-2007, 16:21
For all the griping and PA bashing that goes on, I've found the trails here to be quite enjoyable. Though honestly, I often find myself on the NJ side of Delaware Water Gap. :)
Toolshed
10-02-2007, 16:32
North Central PA has some beautiful forest and trails. We've seen more solitude there than we have on many a wilderness trail. It's not often that you can hike for three days on a holiday weekend and see only one other person. We've also seen a lot of wildlife there - deer, elk, bears, etc. My favorites are the 95 mile Donut Hole Trail, the 35 mile Bucktail Path, the 45 mile Chuck Keiper and the 60 mile Quehanna Trails. D e f initely beats the AT in PA.
I agree - I spent a decade backpacking the trails in North Central PA. You might see some hunters in the fall, but not a lot of others during the rest of the year. I have taken weeks long trips only to run into 1-2 other backpackers and no one else. Even through most of the years, the odd hunters cabin you come across is usually vacant. I once came across a group of 8 college students and another time, A group of older hikers from the Susquehannock Trail Club, but otherwise, there are few on the trails.
Not at all like Most of New Hampshire and the Adirondacks.
For all the griping and PA bashing that goes on, I've found the trails here to be quite enjoyable. Though honestly, I often find myself on the NJ side of Delaware Water Gap. :)
Yeah, just look at the cover of the PA A.T. guide. :D