The hike is constantly climbing steeply and then descending into valleys just as quickly, so do not expect winding switchbacks like youd find out West. I thru-hiked the trail in March; it was still cold (down to 20 degrees), but there was no longer snow on the ground. This uneven, rocky trail originates at the east side of the Cabin Bridge and makes a circuitous loop through a northern hardwood forest. Definitely more strenuous at the beginning up to a ridge line with a good view around mile 2. 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. If you hike at a decent pace 1.5-2mph and dont stop constantly for long breaks you can easily bang out 15-20 miles from 9am-6pm leaving plenty of time for enjoying the views and the fun campsite aspects of backpacking. It is recommended that you use the most current (20th) edition. Also, its always good to support your trail associations and Im sure that the Alpine Club of Williamsport would love to get paid for the hard work that they put into keeping the guidebook current. I brought the Loyalsock guide/maps which offered some additional info on the areas I hiked thru. First backpacking trip of the season and reminded me I need to up my cardio game. The ascent is a taste of whats to come on this challenging but rewarding hike, which is well-blazed with yellow disks and mile markers. An old cemetery is just off trail. I did it. I will always belong out here. Began on 7/24 and finished on 7/27. I reminded myself that she has always taken care of me. It utilizes the Loyalsock Trail (LT) and the Link Trail (also known as Red-X 6 Trail.) (Still trying to figure out why the app stopped and restarted - all I can say is it was during a wicked thunderstorm,). 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. We smelled smoke from a fire, so we knew he was close. Climb steeply, the trail levels, crosses a road, and then climbs again to return to the Loyalsock State Forest. 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. 15 miles camping right around mile 28. We ended up finishing in 3.5 days (we were done by 4:00 p.m. on the last day). The Loyalsock Trail jtraverses state forests, a state park, and some private lands in north-central Pennsylvania. Did entire trail in 4 days. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Enjoy three views, the best looks east up the Loyalsock Creek with dry camping. Sunday 8am - 12:30pm 12 miles Western trailhead: PA-87, Williamsport, PA Eastern trailhead: Mead Rd., Dushore, PA We had initially planned on taking 4 nights to hike the trail. It is rocky and muddy and while the elevation is not that challenging the footing will certainly test any level hiker. Hike through beautiful hemlock forests. Still visible are old 2" X 6" rectangular yellow paint blazes with a 1" horizontal red stripe. Keep in mind, I hiked in long pants in early August--which was a good choice because there are extended sections on the trail where you'll be hiking through some kind of nettle (not urtica dioica) that even got me through my pants a few times. Steep inclines (a few more switchbacks would have been nice), Challenging descents. Loyalsock Trail is displayed on the "Eagles Mere" USGS topo map quad. If you have two cars and want to set up a shuttle of your own, its certainly possible. Remember, trucks and equipment always have the right of way! PGE gas is currently in the process of creating space for a gas pipeline and road on the Bryan Hay Trail (Road) which shares space with the Loyalsock Trail on mile 3.38 - 3.60. The creek is beautiful. It is recommended that you use the most current (20th) edition. I didnt know it back then, but the guide who lead the hike actually wrote the book on low impact camping and was a world renown rock climber named Jay Whitecloud. Sightings of black bear, deer, porcupines, coyotes, eagles, and otters are not unusual. 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. Rode Falls is maybe the best of the trip, with a swimmable basin at the bottom. The Loyalsock Trail is a footpath which begins on route PA87 and end along route US220. You should be physically fit to hike the rough terrain. Before the last climb, I took one more glance at the water and smelled the pine that surrounded me. The drive from the Philly area was a good 3.5 hours and parking options were abundant. The Haystacks is a great end of the overall Loyalsock Trail. We had about five miles to get there. If flowing well, it is impressive. -Rocks aren't as large as some sections of the AT, they're rather small so they'll test your ankles rather than your knees. A trail map is available from: Loyalsock State Forest 6735 Route 220 Dushore, PA 18614 (570) 946-4049 DCNR Loyalsock State Forest Information DCNR Old Loggers Path Information Pretty stream although right now the rocks following the trail are very muddy and slippery. If youre not fit or you load your pack like an eager teenager then, yeah, your gonna have a tough time. Well, he wasnt there, so we kept walking. The trail follows mountain ridges and streams as it travels though the woods on footpaths, old logging roads, and abandoned railroad grades. Eastern trailhead: There is a large parking area on Mead Road. Smith Knob gives you the first panoramic view of the Loyalsock Valley shortly after mile 6, a welcome break following another brief but heel-busting climb. Most of the Loyalsock Trail is located within the Loyalsock State Forest, with the remainder on private land. 41.361361, -76.877028, Other trailheads: Worlds End State Park office: 41.471771, -76.581766, Little Bear Creek Road: 41.355636, -76.859320, Shuttle information: this is shuttle information from the Alpine Club of Williamsport. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. On Saturday June 3, between 5:00am and Midnight, the LT will welcome the Worlds End Ultra Trail Runs. Learn how to purchase full Loyalsock Trail Guides with directions, maps, and additional info. 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. Dushore PA 18614, Main Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm. My partner and I through hiked it while we lived in PA. One of my favorite trails in PA. I chose to push on to Mineral Springs where there is a really nice little spot right on the east branch of Double Run at the foot of the descent, there are a few more once you cross Mineral Spring Road right before you get to the register. Many of the flat sections are either muddy or overgrown with vegetation, but that will largely be determined by the time of year you go. The LT has a nice mix of forest, vistas, streams, and history. Get to know this 56.4-mile point-to-point trail near Dushore, Pennsylvania. Took me 3 days and 2 nights at a pretty good clip. Very fun though! Descend to Cape Run with cascades and falls. The trail is steep, levels and passes Helens Window, another great view. The Loyalsock Trail (LT) is one of the finest backpacking trails in the Mid Atlantic, if not the northeast. It shows all the state, local and forestry roads, and State Forest hiking Trails, including a bird's eye view ofthe entire Loyalsock Trail. The LT is blazed with yellow disks having red LT letters in the center. These trail races are very popular. I saw no bears or rattlesnakes, though I saw one rattlesnake skin. Was able to achieve approx. Youre in Pennsylvania, so expect lots of forest and rocky terrain. The trail, which retraces some portions used by This 59-mile trail passes through the rugged forested mountains and valleys of the Loyalsock State Forest. The LT passes the Highlands Manor restaurant. 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. The Loyalsock Lizard Map includes all of Worlds End State Park, as well as an inset map of the dense trail system. Turns were marked with a yellow directional arrow. We have loppers available for those that don't bring tools. A couple of impressive vistas come after mile 35: Alpine View follows a rare switchback climb, and Loyalsock Canyon Vista is the first reward within Worlds End State Park. Reach another view of Worlds End and turn left onto Pioneer Road, a historic road and the first built through the Loyalsock Canyon. The trail features over a dozen waterfalls and can be hiked in 4-6 days. 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. As for the Loyalsock it is truly a gem of a trail and depending on your fitness level should be approached in 3-5 days. Of all the trails that Ive hiked in Pennsylvania, the Loyalsock Trail is the king of all of them. Climb to the rim of the gorge and then descend to Lees Falls. Hike along the ridge and then descend. Another adventure. Very rocky, super hard on your feet if you arent used to it. Also, I wouldve brought a bit more tape for my blisters. Now climb up Petes Hollow with cascades and rocky terrain. Leah Wynalek is a writer, hiker, and runner from Philadelphia. You can purchase it by mail, online, or at certain retailers in the area, including the World's End park office. Loyalsock State Forest is named for Loyalsock Creek, a scenic freestone stream that winds through the heart of its 114,552 acres. Dushore PA 18614 Campsite, water source. I haven't done a long backpacking trip in a while, so I was feeling it in my knees and ankles--this is one rocky trail! Narrow paths wind through a dense understory of mountain laurels, rhododendrons, huckleberries, azaleas, mulberries, young sassafrass trees, and ferns, ferns, ferns. Sample Itinerary: This is how we did it, purposely leaving just a few miles for the last days drive home. Day 2: High Knob Overlook to Ketchum Run. Loyalsock Trail Find On Map Difficulty: Unknown Length: 64.01 Miles County: Lycoming, Sullivan Trail Description The LT is blazed with yellow disks having red LT letters in the center. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Loyalsock Trail and Link Trail Loop Hard 4.6 (252) Worlds End State Park Photos (1,869) Directions Print/PDF map Length 16.5 miElevation gain 2,693 ftRoute type Loop Check out this 16.5-mile loop trail near Forksville, Pennsylvania. But then I took in theview when you reach the top:a sea of never-ending green and cloudy skies. Climb to the Allegheny Front, with one superb view. On old railroad grade sections, watch for large roots on trail. For more detail, note the following link, with the course map: On Saturday September 23 between 10:00am and 3:00pm, the LT welcomes the Worlds End Fall Classic. ), but we easily could have spent a bit more time at many of the vistas or just wandering along the trail. Ill check on the Facebook group too. It reminded me of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Generally considered a challenging route. Its a beautiful trail and contrary to the common consensus, not incredibly difficult. If you have a chain saw (and know how to use it), bring it; otherwise, loppers are good. The day after got home I was ready to start planning to get out in the woods again for another multi-day adventure. Open fires are never permitted on private land or at any point from mile 55.33 through the parking lot at the eastern trailhead. Direction of hiking: Most hikers go from west to east. -Bring as many pairs of socks as days you're planning to be on the trail. I dont have a choice. It is a little over 59 miles in distance and passes through state forests for most of its length. I think the trail is a little easier that way and saves some of the best views for the end of the hike. Be sure to properly hang or store your food overnight. A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch). These consists of 50K and 100K Trail Runs, which begin and end at Worlds End State Park. The Loyalsock Trail joins the Loyalsock Canyon Vista Trail and both trails continue north for 1.33 miles to Loyalsock Canyon Vista. A friend of ours was hiking in to meet us for the night as well. We also had a couple encounters with foraging black bears interested in our campsite late at night. Definitely use some form of bug protection and check regularly for ticks! Canyon Vista was pretty epic and the trails through WESP are great, they are among the more challenging with regard to elevation change and trail grade so be prepared. The Trip The Loyalsock Trail is a remote and challenging 59-mile trail offering scenic views of river valleys, mountains, and waterfalls, especially spectacular in fall with Pennsylvania's mixed hard-wood/pine forests showing off their colors. This trail has everything. The Haystacks, near the end of the trail. Before hiking, be sure that you are aware of what precautions you can take to minimize your chances of being bitten by a tick; the, Wear hunter orange during hunting seasons, and do not hike the LT during bear and deer seasons, which generally start the Monday prior to Thanksgiving and continue for three weeks. 87 end decent was brutal in the dark. Friday morning at 8am-Sunday at 5pm. The trail is 59.2 miles and not 56 as indicated on alltrails. 2023 Purple Lizard Maps. 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