It was a great trail! Total Distance: 59.2 miles Also, I would rate it as difficult and not moderate. While landowners have not objected to hikers crossing their properties, camping and fires are not permitted. Day one is a difficult for sure. Some nice views from the Loyalsock Trail, PA. Descend gradually along Little Painter Run and then climb up to another LT highlight, Smiths Knob. I grew up in California and moved to Pennsylvania in my 20s. So many beautiful things today. It reminded me of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Steep inclines (a few more switchbacks would have been nice), Challenging descents. The Loyalsock Trail jtraverses state forests, a state park, and some private lands in north-central Pennsylvania. There are multiple vistas along Loyalsock trail, like Angel Falls (mile 23) a towering 80-foot waterfall that's accessible from the road if you're unwilling to hike the 60-mile trail, and Haystacks (mile 57) where an impressive class IV rapid cuts through the rock with icy mountain run-off. The Loyalsock Lizard Map includes all of Worlds End State Park, as well as an inset map of the dense trail system. Reach another view of Worlds End and turn left onto Pioneer Road, a historic road and the first built through the Loyalsock Canyon. If an employee is unavailable, read posted instructions, check the site availability listing, deposit the appropriate fee in a supplied honor system envelope, and then proceed to an available site and set up. Soften up, trust yourself some more. There are extended portions where you're scrambling over rock tills up or down steep inclines. Mountain laurel is common along the trail and blooms in mid to late June. Climb again and cross the loop road to High Knob Overlook, a worthy side hike. Planning to head to grad school for industrial design so I can start designing my own gear, but in the meantime I like MacGyvering things to suit my needs. As I settled back into my reality, I kept saying to myself, Thats it? Its over already? 60 Miles in three and a half days, I just finished my first multi-day backpacking trip thru-hiking theLoyalsockTrail. The LT levels and then drops down to PA 87 and the western terminus. The Runs traverse through many of that area's hiking trails, logging roads, horse trails, etc. 154 near Laporte. Day 2 was a lovely hike through Kettle Creek, up to High Knob, along Ketchum Run, up to the Alpine Views and on to the border of WESP. Once on the old grade we hiked it east for another 0.8 miles before the trail turned right and climbed up the hill. An ideal place to cache food is along Dry Run Road. Dont miss the chance to climb across and swim in The Haystacks around mile 57! Day 1 started with a steep climb and one rattlesnake (very docile) made it 13.8 miles to a campsite when the skies opened up and poured throughout the night. Completing 16 miles, we set up camp away from the ridge due to winds, ate dinner without much conversation and we were both in bed again, before 8:00 p.m., neither one of us touching our books. The Loyalsock Trail is a 59.2-mile point-to-point hike in north-central Pennsylvania that spans forested ridges, scenic streams, and historic logging roads. The western part of the trail, from PA 87 to Brunnerdale Road is generally drier. Cross a forest road and reach beautiful Sones Pond with excellent camping. The dates for our open work hikes on the Loyalsock Trail will be the following Sundays: Anyone interested in attending the work hikes, please e-mail David Dahl. Instead, the Link Trail will follow the Loyalsock Trail (LT), from the WESP Visitor's Center at LT Mile 45.96 and head (after crossing Rte.154) up to LT Mile 44.63. I think Ill need to figure some transit to and from town. Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, Backpacker Radio #195 | Jack "Quadzilla" Jones 2.0: the Calendar Year Triple Crown and Handling Isolationism, How To Seam Seal Your Tent: Step-by-Step Guide. All in all, the Loyalsock was a nice mini thru hike for a pandemic. I think the trail is a little easier that way and saves some of the best views for the end of the hike. The trail guide says 60 miles, and I recorded 65 miles when I hiked it a few weeks ago. My feet were throbbing. From mile 22 on, keep your eyes open for blue-blazed side trails so you dont miss the waterfall views, and get ready to cross more streams as well. Cross Worlds End Road and continue a climb near a spruce forest. Youre in Pennsylvania, so expect lots of forest and rocky terrain. I want to go back and see how fracking has changed the area. After a tenth of a mile the climb leveled out a bit and became more gradual. The trail is steep, levels and passes Helens Window, another great view. After walking another quarter of a mile, going way too far from where he shouldve been, we turned around. Learn how to purchase full Loyalsock Trail Guides with directions, maps, and additional info. But then I took in theview when you reach the top:a sea of never-ending green and cloudy skies. Camping is downstream. So nice to see a familiar face. Descend to Big Run and take the short side trail to Alpine Falls in a grotto of cliffs. It is recommended that you use the most current (20th) edition. Today would include an eight mile walk through Kettle Creek Natural Area, a windy lunch at High Knob Vista, Rode Falls, and the sketchy backwards climb down the ladder into Ketchum Run. It is an amazing trail. We pushed bedtime tonight to 8:30 p.m., not flipping a single page in our books. Western trailhead: PA-87, Williamsport, PA Eastern trailhead: Mead Rd., Dushore, PA Began on 7/24 and finished on 7/27. This was the first of the many moments to come when I questioned if I was cut out for this thru-hike. Primitive camping is permitted on State Forest land. Depending on your connection speed, this document may take several minutes to open. Then it was about a 40-minute drive to the western terminus, which is a smaller gravel pull-off that still provides space for multiple cars to park. From then on youll only get a couple of short climbs so pat yourself on the back. The trail features over a dozen waterfalls and can be hiked in 4-6 days. Approaching the finish, I couldnt hold back the tears anymore. Saturday 8am - 6pm 23.5 miles Most of the Loyalsock Trail is located within the Loyalsock State Forest, with the remainder on private land. It is important that all hikers help to prevent contamination (human waste, garbage, and wash water) of all water along the LT. Water should be boiled, filtered or chemically treated before use. Map 4- Brunnerdale Road to Western Terminus (PA 87) (22 miles). Change). off the trail. The day started off well. It's very detailed, featuring maps, historical information, mileages, and campsite suggestions. I saw no bears or rattlesnakes, though I saw one rattlesnake skin. Was thinking of hiking Memorial day week but I dont want to risk Jax from injury. The most comprehensive detailed outdoor recreation map of available of Loyalsock State Forest in Pennsylvania. They took us to the LT and I remember talking about it with the staff that was taking us on this expedition. Ecommerce Software by Shopify, Katie Anspach, hiker, single mom, adventurer. The WESP website link should contain more detailed information about how to access the Park from varied directions and also info on how Camping and other activities within the Park will be affected during this closure. Loyalsock State Forest Photos (365) Directions Print/PDF map Length 56.4 miElevation gain 10,449 ftRoute type Point to point Get to know this 56.4-mile point-to-point trail near Dushore, Pennsylvania. mile 2-3) were a little buggy but by the end of the 3-day hike I had only two mosquito bites and no ticks. Want to report conditions for this trail? If youre not down with doing over 20 miles on the first day, camp at the site at mile 14 before you get to the clearing because theres not another until roughly mile 22. It follows mountain ridges and alongside streams, and also passes a few lakes and ponds. Still visible are old 2" X 6" rectangular yellow paint blazes with a 1" horizontal red stripe. Loyal Sock, Double Run Nature, Link Trail and Canyon Vista Loop, Loyalsock Link Trail and Haystacks and Dutchman Falls, Double Run, East Branch, Loyalsock and Canyon Vista Trails Loop. We did a lot of trail maintenance as we hiked along during layovers for a couple days here and there. Directions, Parking, & Shuttle Service for the Loyalsock Trail. The gorge is very scenic. Other websites: Loyalsock State Forest, Worlds End State Park. Trail running: The LT and connecting trails host a couple of trail run races every year. Thruhiking the LT will be an experience you wont forget and is a perfect prep hike for longer trails, like the Long Trail or Appalachian Trail. definitely glad I had my poles too, great to the falls, hiked in ANOTHER snowstorm (got 12 inches) couldn't see where we were stepping at all so took the cheater way up to the road. If youre using a shuttle service, it also leaves your car in a bigger, nicer lot. By later that day, it had to have been pushing 90 and humid, I was feeling nauseous and exhausted around 15 miles on the Genesee Trail. The Alpine Club invites you to hike the Loyalsock Trail in hopes that you will enjoy, explore, and protect the wild lands and places of natural beauty! For anyone thinking of taking this hike, especially women I say do what you need to do to prepare, and then go for it - you are stronger than you think. Trail runners are required to be aware of and to respect the presence of all hikers, and hikers are recommended to allow right-of-way to trail runners. Find her on Instagram for cats and outdoor adventures. Campfires: Are not permitted at the Haystack Rapids and can be restricted along the entire trail at other times of the year. Saw a HUGE rattlesnake right off the trail along the first ridge so definitely be careful hiking thru the overgrown areas. Map 1- Eastern Terminus (Mead Road) to Worlds End State Park Office (13 miles). (Still trying to figure out why the app stopped and restarted - all I can say is it was during a wicked thunderstorm,). For those that have limited time to help, we usually need drivers to shuttle volunteers. Eastbound. Most of the falls were very low on water so not as exciting to view as they probably are after a heavy rainfall or earlier in the season. Some steep ascents and descents to keep it challenging. Just some chipmunks, frogs, newts, millipedes, and one garter snake. The bridle trail consists of two 25-mile loops, referred to as the East Loop and the West Loop, each beginning and ending at the trailhead along World's End Road (SR 3009). The two best seasons are probably Springwhen the trails numerous streams and waterfalls would really come aliveand Fall, whichwould be a great timeto visit for the foliage. Pass a campsite and cross Dry Run Road. Map 3- Ketchum Run to Brunnerdale Road (12 miles). And he was bringing wine! We hiked at the end of June and found the initial 12-15 miles to be quite overgrown with grass, ferns, stinging nettle, and rhododendron. From mile 14 to mile 20 you are hiking on a private road and aside two vistas, the fist 14 miles do not provide much else. Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout, June 18, 2021 27 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. The state park section takes you down a rocky canyon, eventually passing a visitors center (theres a snack shop nearby) and ending with a steep scramble up to High Rock Vista. Lost about 5-6 miles of tracked Alltrails mapping due to weather primarily. Trail is very well marked with lots of signage and easy to see blazes. old rail beds, rock scramble, and dirt roads. The largest stream crossing is Kettle Creek, about 20-30 feet across. Location:North-Central PA, between the towns of Williamsport and Dushore. I think the best time to hike this trail is from late September to mid-October. Sones Pond is incredible and if youre looking for a sweet spot to camp has multiple sites right there on the shore. I wanted to stop but I was short on water, so we continued to mile 22 where we set up camp at the bottom of Angel Falls. ), but we easily could have spent a bit more time at many of the vistas or just wandering along the trail. Hiking, backpacking, chasing waterfalls or just exploring, this is the map you need. Difficulty: The LT is known as a difficult trail with many climbs, steep terrain, and streams without bridges. You may also try crowdsourcing a shuttle from the Loyalsock Trail Facebook group. Large backpacking groups may need a permit, contact the Loyalsock State Forest. Now climb up Petes Hollow with cascades and rocky terrain. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.