View Full Version : Any suggestions for a short PA hike?
PineGrove
12-19-2007, 14:05
I would like to start planning a hike for April or May of 08. I haven't done any overnight hiking since I was in Boy Scouts several years ago and don't want to take on too much to start. I am thinking about 2 or 3 day overnight hike starting around the Pine Grove/PA 233 area in PA and heading south for one or two nights. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good place to end? I was thinking 20 to 30 miles. Also, would starting in May be any better than starting in April in terms of weather? Thanks for any help.
john gault
12-19-2007, 14:07
Anywhere south of Duncannon, Pa. North of there sucks.
Lone Wolf
12-19-2007, 14:11
I would like to start planning a hike for April or May of 08. I haven't done any overnight hiking since I was in Boy Scouts several years ago and don't want to take on too much to start. I am thinking about 2 or 3 day overnight hike starting around the Pine Grove/PA 233 area in PA and heading south for one or two nights. Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good place to end? I was thinking 20 to 30 miles. Also, would starting in May be any better than starting in April in terms of weather? Thanks for any help.
perfect section. do it in may. end at Penmar Park. 37 miles
PineGrove
12-19-2007, 14:43
Thank you. Do you think if I estimate an average of 12 miles or so a day that would be reasonable - Friday through Sunday? Or is that pushing it to start?
Lone Wolf
12-19-2007, 15:03
nope. fairly easy going section. have fun
_terrapin_
12-19-2007, 15:03
Thank you. Do you think if I estimate an average of 12 miles or so a day that would be reasonable - Friday through Sunday? Or is that pushing it to start?
12 miles/day seems reasonable for a 24 year old, if you're in halfway decent shape and not carrying too much weight. But bear in mind that the long-term average rate for most thru-hikers isn't much higher than that.
Lone Wolf
12-19-2007, 15:06
by the time a thru-hiker hits this section he/she is doing easy 20+ mile days, back to back no problem
_terrapin_
12-19-2007, 15:16
by the time a thru-hiker hits this section he/she is doing easy 20+ mile days, back to back no problem
Long-term average is substantially below that, else typical thru-hikes would take 4 months, not 5+. What are the typical rates (miles/day) between Springer and Neels? Those would be more relevant to the OP's concern.
Glad you added the PA 233 otherwise I would not have realized you meant Pine Grove Furnace, the borough of Pine Grove, PA is also near the A.T. (Not to pick nits but just in case it helps avoid confusion later on...)
May is spring gobbler season (all the way through Memorial Day Monday in PA in 2008) so wear an orange hat, and don't be surprised if camo-clad figures sneak through your bivouac at 4:30 a.m.
Of course someone from Newville might know about that already, I always thought that's a pretty town and nearly wound up there rather than Boiling Springs when I moved to PA.
12 miles a day might not be too bad to start assuming a reasonable fitness level and low drive time to start/finish. Would love to hear how you make out (heck, wouldn't even mind doing it myself, but for family timing issues around then).
Pine Grove Furnace to Duncannon is a section I personally like even better, with more variation in scenery, and winding up at the Doyle you might have noticed people on here talking about.
If all that's too easy for you, switch mountains and take the Tuscarora Trail west/south from Colonel Denning on the next trip.
Here's a link to some of your neighbors in case of interest: http://geocities.com/cvatclub
PineGrove
12-19-2007, 16:55
Glad you added the PA 233 otherwise I would not have realized you meant Pine Grove Furnace, the borough of Pine Grove, PA is also near the A.T. (Not to pick nits but just in case it helps avoid confusion later on...)
May is spring gobbler season (all the way through Memorial Day Monday in PA in 2008) so wear an orange hat, and don't be surprised if camo-clad figures sneak through your bivouac at 4:30 a.m.
Of course someone from Newville might know about that already, I always thought that's a pretty town and nearly wound up there rather than Boiling Springs when I moved to PA.
12 miles a day might not be too bad to start assuming a reasonable fitness level and low drive time to start/finish. Would love to hear how you make out (heck, wouldn't even mind doing it myself, but for family timing issues around then).
Pine Grove Furnace to Duncannon is a section I personally like even better, with more variation in scenery, and winding up at the Doyle you might have noticed people on here talking about.
If all that's too easy for you, switch mountains and take the Tuscarora Trail west/south from Colonel Denning on the next trip.
Here's a link to some of your neighbors in case of interest: http://geocities.com/cvatclub
Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to research the Pine Grove Furnace to Duncannon suggestion.