pa trails and rain

[Wags]

well i can't remember a winter where we've had more rain than this year. anyone been out on the trails in central pa? i'm hoping to get out for the 1st time this weekend (HELLO 4 DAY WEEKEND) and wonder if it's going to be a nice hike, or trudging and slopping through mud... anyone? bueller?

[Cosmo Rules]

Whats to see and do between Pen Mar and Boiling Springs?

[zoidfu]

It's fine. I've been out at least every other weekend.

[ki0eh]

I've been out a few times - Cumberland Valley was pretty muddy but the rocks everywhere else resist mud.

Between Pen Mar and Boiling Springs, hmm... I like the view from Chimney Rocks, the site of Antietam Shelter, the rhododendrons of Quarry Gap, Sunset Rocks short side trail near Toms Run, the current half-way point just trail-south of Pine Grove Furnace, the Ironmaster's hostel at Pine Grove Furnace, the half-way marker post unless it got moved recently, Pole Steeple (but the blue blaze is more interesting than the A.T.), near Whiskey Springs seems to me more interesting rocks than usual for Pa., Center Point Knob (the pre-WWII half-way point) with its marker plaque that was apparently gone before Earl's hike in 1948, iron ore pits in the woods on the way down to Boiling Springs, and of course that pretty little town where I used to live - just don't go in the Tavern or try to do laundry.

[zoidfu]

From Rausch Gap to Cove Mt is pretty good. A few mud pits right after the Rausch shelter but that's about it... Of course most of it isn't in the valley and what is in the valley is paved...

Why don't you want to go to the tavern in Boiling springs?

[ki0eh]

Why don't you want to go to the tavern in Boiling springs?

Too uppity and expensive and the food isn't even that good. Go to CJ's Cafe across the lake or Anile's pizzeria around the corner - food's better and cheaper. (Caveat: I'm not much of a drinker.)

[Wags]

thanks gang! i guess i'll head out as long as the rain holds off

[ki0eh]

Goin' anywhere you want to tell us about? (Seeing as how southeastern Dauphin County seems to be well represented in this thread...)

[NativePennsylvanian]

You should go out even if it is raining.

[Cookerhiker]

...in PA, I'm hiking the Laurel Highlands Trail starting next week - Wednesday the 26th. I'm allowing 6 days/5 nights. Anyone been out there lately?

[Cosmo Rules]

K-N & I will be in PA. 1st week of April. Thanks for the info.

[Wags]

kio unsure yet. gotta see what the old lady is up for

they're calling for freaking rain all morning saturday and snow showers later in the day! BOOOOOOOOOO

[ki0eh]

You should go out even if it is raining.

Glad to see someone from S.C. thinks that way - weekend before last someone from Centre County bailed one night on me because it was raining - and he even wrote about it: http://www.pahikes.com/trails/midstate17.asp

[Cosmo Rules]

Is the PA trail guide available on-line? From Pen Mar to Boiling Springs to be exact.

[NativePennsylvanian]

http://www.aldha.org/companyn/wv-pa07.pdf

[Cosmo Rules]

Thanks for the link.
What's to do at the Alec Kennedy shelter?

[1azarus]

Just hiked Pine Grove Furnace to Harpers Ferry -- the 26th thru the 29th. Water only where it is supposed to be: just about impossible to find mud on the trail. I think it must have been national boy scout week, though... I think they're back in school now.

[ki0eh]

What's to do at the Alec Kennedy shelter?

Not a whole lot. It's not one of the most palatial, in a quiet wooded hollow, very small stream just below. If you follow that hollow straight down vs. following the current blazed A.T. route, you come to a camp for troubled kids. Not quite 4 miles to Boiling Springs from Alec Kennedy but the sidewalks roll up early in that town. The only excitement in B.S. is when the train rolls through the Sunday Farm campsite and honks at approximately 2:30 a.m., but at Alec Kennedy you'll be spared.

[c.coyle]

[Boiling Springs Hotel is] [t]oo uppity and expensive and the food isn't even that good. Go to CJ's Cafe across the lake or Anile's pizzeria around the corner - food's better and cheaper. (Caveat: I'm not much of a drinker.)

Just eat at the bar and avoid the dining room, which is kind of dowdy. We've never felt unwelcome, dirty and stinky as we were. Haven't been there in about a year, but the smoked trout sandwich used to be heavenly.

[tina.anderson]

I will be in central PA around mid July to see some family there. I've had some pretty good hikes there, but I prefer where I live.