Yet Another Reason to Hang

[Camping Dave]

Sometimes, there just isn't any place to pitch a tent ... (Like on kilometer after kilometer of Pennsylvania's Mid State Trail, where mountail laurel and blueberry bushes grow in any square inch of ground not covered by rock!)

[Hammock Hanger]

This trail is on my short list as it is paart of the GET. Doesn't really look like much fun. OUCH!

[ki0eh]

Sometimes, there just isn't any place to pitch a tent ... (Like on kilometer after kilometer of Pennsylvania's Mid State Trail, where mountail laurel and blueberry bushes grow in any square inch of ground not covered by rock!)

'Tis true - that got me hanging too!

When and where did you go?

[Gumbi]

Looks like an awesome place to hike around! A hammock is soo much better than a tent in the woods and thick underbrush.

[wacbzz]

A picture of your hammock over that area would be worth a thousand words to those that still insist upon laying on the ground.

[Cherokee Bill]

you folks are on the "razor-blade edge" of me buying my first HAMMOCK (Jacks Are Better Bridge) Thanks for showing me the light

[Moon Monster]

Agreed. Pennsylvania's state forest trails were the principal factor in my decision to start hanging. It's so easy to now hike until after sunset without care of wondering where the next ground spot will be, since they are so rare on many trails there.

[Camping Dave]

When and where did you go?

Sunday to Wednesday earlier this week, from Woodward's Gap south to Rt 322 and back. A bit over 80 km altogether (The MST is the nation's first metric trail ... distances measured in kilometers.)

The MST is remote and beautiful, but very secluded. Two hikers signed a trail register the same day as me. The previous entry was two weeks earlier. The consequences of a sprained ankle or similar injury occurred to me more than once. I recommend hiking it with a buddy.

[The Solemates]

thanks for the photos!

this trail is a toss up between a few others for our annual PA thanksgiving hike.

so talk me into it...why should i do this one over the:

LoyalSock Trail
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry...loyalsock.aspx

west rim trail
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry...g/westrim.aspx

allegheny front trail
http://www.alleghenyfronttrail.info/

chuck keiper trail
http://www.pahikes.com/ChuckKeiperTrail/default.asp

[Camping Dave]

This trail is on my short list as it is paart of the GET. Doesn't really look like much fun. OUCH!

Actually, the MSTA does a good job clearing rocks from the trail where they can. Here's a picture I took near Penn's Creek. Look at all those rocks to the left of the trail. That's the "natural" condition of the mountain.

[Pedaling Fool]

I'm a tenter, but I'm really considering trying out hammocks, because of stretches already mentioned on the AT.

[Camping Dave]

thanks for the photos!

this trail is a toss up between a few others for our annual PA thanksgiving hike.

so talk me into it...why should i do this one over the:

LoyalSock Trail
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry...loyalsock.aspx

west rim trail
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/Forestry...g/westrim.aspx

allegheny front trail
http://www.alleghenyfronttrail.info/

chuck keiper trail
http://www.pahikes.com/ChuckKeiperTrail/default.asp

I'd like to do the West Rim trail myself, but don't know anything about the other three.

The MST is secluded and private if that's what you're looking for; I saw more bear and porcupine than people. The water is clear, reliable, and frequent. The maps are accurate. I just got PM'd by an MST maintainer asking about conditions, so you know people care about and for the trails. It's well maintained and clearly blazed.

What can I say? I really enjoyed my 4 days on the MST and would do it again.