Smith’s Knob and Painter Run Loop-Loyalsock State Forest

View from Smith’s Knob

After hiking the Rough Hill Trail, Ed and Ken joined me to hike the Smith’s Knob and Painter Run Loop. Instead of looking at Smith’s Knob from a distance, we would be climbing it.

This six mile loop is one of the finest in the region with beautiful views and streamside hiking. I’d always hiked this loop clockwise, but we did this hike counterclockwise, which is the best route.

At the large parking area, we walked up Little Bear Creek Road for a half mile to a collection of cabins where the Painter Run Trail began on the left. We hiked behind a modern cabin and followed the trail up a scenic valley along the small, pristine stream. The creek tumbled over mossy rocks and trout swam in the pools. There were a few stream crossings. Bee balm adorned the trail with red flowers. This was a very enjoyable hike.

As we hiked, the valley narrowed into the gorge and we soon reached the Loyalsock Trail at some campsites. We turned left onto the Loyalsock Trail as it explored forests of laurel and hardwoods, and crossed a forest road. Some of the trees were very large. We enjoyed a vista of the Loyalsock Creek far below and began a steeper climb up Smith’s Knob along ledges.

We reached the top with a dry campsite and enjoyed the stunning view from a ledge. The panorama of the creek, valley, and mountains were impressive. The creek was 1200 feet below. This is a perfect sunrise vista.

We ate and began our steep descent as a thunderstorm approached. A passed a view to the south as the rain fell and the wind picked up. I got thoroughly wet as we stopped at another view of the creek and mountains. The storm soon passed.