Backpack the West Branch/East Fork Trail Loop-Susquehannock State Forest

Posted on May 6, 2024 by endlessmountains

Length: Estimated from maps, I did not track it. The yellow dot route I took is about 22 miles. Using the purple shortcut (recommended) about 19-20 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate. Similar to Old Loggers Path. Biggest climbs/descents are about 600 vertical feet.

Parking: There are two recommended parking areas. I parked at a large pull off on West Branch Road. This is ideal for camping at or near Ford Hollow Shelter and the west end of the loop. It is located at 41.677246, -77.804280 . You will see a sign for the Hopper House Hollow Trail.

The other trailhead is Patterson State Park, located on the west end of the loop. Do not park in the camping area. Park on the east or north side of PA 44. 41.696082, -77.892880

Blazes: Trails are generally blazed well and most junctures have signs. Navigation was easy. West Branch and East Fork Trails are yellow and or red, but mostly red. Susquehannock Trail System (STS) is orange.

Amenities: Pit toilets at Patterson State Park, Ford Hollow Shelter.

Direction of description: Counterclockwise from West Branch Road (Hopper House Hollow Trail).

Highlights: Extensive meadows, beaver dams and ponds, a few views, scenic forests, streams, isolation, gorges, many meadow views, wildlife, birdlife, wildflowers, dark skies for stars.

Trail conditions: Overall, pretty good. You can expect overgrowth in summer. West Branch Trail (WBT) has areas with narrow, eroded sidehill and pickers that thankfully weren’t too thorny. STS is well blazed and maintained. East Fork Trail (EFT) has a better hiking tread than WBT but has more climbing. In some places the trails may be faint, but can be followed.

Navigation issues: I noticed two, both on EFT. If hiking counterclockwise, it is easy to miss the turn onto Switchback Trail and continue straight onto Shinglebolt. There is a trail sign. West of Junction Road, the EFT follows a pipeline swath a short distance from the top of the hill down to the road.

Maintained by: the Susquehannock Trail Club, support these volunteers.

Map of loop and surrounding trails

Description: This is the best weekend backpack loop hike you never knew existed. I was absolutely impressed by it and will surely hike it again. The WBT and EFT serve as cross connectors to the STS. By combining all the trails, you can make a truly beautiful loop.

This loop is different than other trails in PA. It feels isolated and has views, just not what you might expect. You will have many meadow views over marshes, beaver ponds and dams. And there’s a lot of beaver ponds and dams. The signature view of the loop is Boone Run Vista, it is just off the EFT and should not be missed. The moderate and cruisey terrain make this a joy to hike.

From the pull off parking area, walk a short ways on West Branch Road and turn left onto WBT. This trail offers so much scenery with meadows, beaver ponds, dams. One pond is pretty large. There are several serene views. I love this trail. Before reaching the STS, cross a small creek with potential camping. Turn left onto the STS.

The STS makes a steady climb up a bucolic forested valley with a small creek. One great thing about this loop is that you are often near creeks, though they can be a trickle or even dry up in summer. Cross PA 44 and hike through Patterson State Park. The STS is level but then descends into a gorge with a seasonal creek. Hike up into Ford Hollow which is usually flowing. Ford Hollow Shelter is a sublime spot, peaceful, isolated, and serene. Elk can be seen or heard here. It is an ideal place to camp.

A steep climb follows up Hockney Hollow. Leave the STS and follow the yellow EFT/Game Refuge Trail. Pass a small meadow with good dry camping. Cross Rock Ridge Road and descend along a logged area with fine views. The EFT down to East Fork Road becomes pure hiking bliss. It follows an old grade, it is cruisey, with superb scenery. The woods are beautiful. My favorite section was the pine forests and the beaver dams and meadows. A gorgeous stretch of trail. You might see potential campsites along the lower portions of the creek, before East Fork Road.

Turn right onto East Fork Road and follow for a half mile, turn left onto the EFT at a sign. Go up another scenic stream valley with more meadows and views. This creek becomes more wooded but the grade offers great hiking. Turn right where the EFT follows Switchback Trail, this turn can be easy to miss. Below along the creek is potential camping. Climb up an open wooded gorge with ferns and wildflowers, this is probably the steepest climb of the loop.

Reach the top and a pipeline swath, follow it to the left down to Junction Road. Time for a side hike, hike the road to the right for 1,000 feet to superb Boone Run Vista, one of the finest in the state forest. It’s a must see. Go back to the EFT.

Now you have a choice. I suggest you take the purple shortcut on the map below. I hiked the EFT on the railroad grade to the STS. It’s nice, don’t get me wrong, the grade was cool and the hiking was mostly level to the STS, but there isn’t much scenery to justify the effort, especially since you must descend and then climb up from the grade on the STS. The purple route does miss Cherry Springs Vista, but Boone Run Vista is a better view anyways.

The final stretch is Hopper Trail/Hopper House Hollow Trail. It’s a nice gem I enjoyed. Begin by crossing small meadows and enter a serene wooded gorge with a seasonal creek. If it’s running, there is some great streamside hiking. There is a small campsite at Cross Trail. The creek becomes larger and West Branch Road comes into view through the trees. This trail remains enjoyable to the end where it delivers you back to the car.

As you hike this loop, you will see many other trails connecting to it. There is a vast network of trails here and many loop options. These trails need more hikers so please explore them.

I loved this loop and I think you will as well.

Legend:

Yellow dots: route I took

Purple dots: suggested shortcut route

C: camping or potential campsites

Hike to Yost Run and Kyler Fork Falls- Sproul State Forest

Posted on April 17, 2024 by endlessmountains

Length: About 1.3 miles one way, about 2 miles to Panther Hollow Falls, one way.

Difficulty: Moderate. It is a gradual 450 foot descent to the falls.

Trail conditions: Good. Chuck Keiper Trail is blazed orange.

Parking: 41.175539, -77.879049

Highlights: Beautiful waterfalls in a gorge with hemlocks and rhododendrons.

Description: This is a gorgeous hike into the gorge of Yost Run to see the two falls of Yost Run and Kyler Fork. From the parking area, follow the Chuck Keiper Trail (CKT) west along a forest road (do not cross PA 144). Pass a cabin and descend along a small creek. Pass another cabin and enter the beautiful gorge. Yost Run Falls soon comes into view, Kyler Fork Falls is just downstream. Each is about 12 feet tall. The setting is very scenic with ledges, falls, cascades, streams, hemlocks and rhododendrons. The CKT is a rugged 50 mile loop and this is one of its most beautiful sections.

You can follow unblazed Kyler Fork Trail above Kyler Fork Falls to see more cascades. A proposed 300+ mile backpacking loop in the PA Wilds is routed to come through here.

You can hike further down the CKT and climb sidehill above the creek. Pass a campsite and reach Panther Hollow Falls, which are only about 6 feet but still scenic. Return the way you came.

Hike to Pine Island Ledge Vista and Waterfalls-Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon)

Posted on April 12, 2024 by endlessmountains

Length: Approx. 8 miles

Difficulty: Very difficult and challenging.

Trail conditions: Route follows unmarked and unblazed trails, old forest roads or grades, and off trail hiking. It is a steep climb or descent to/from Pine Island Ledge. The bottom section of Pine Island Run requires scrambling along waterfalls and traversing a landslide. It is the most challenging part and potentially dangerous. Do not attempt in high water.

Highlights: Incredible views, cliffs, rock outcrops, glens, many waterfalls and cascades.

Parking: 41.631387, -77.395402. Drive in from the north. There is no bridge where Claymine Road crosses Stony Fork.

Peregrine falcons: They nest at Pine Island Ledge. I was not aware they were nesting when I visited. Consider hiking elsewhere until their nesting season is over.

Rattlesnakes: Can be found at the vistas, and along the hike.

Cliffs: This hike goes near massive cliffs. Be careful. Any fall would be fatal.

Other navigation aids: Look at MyHikes for Pine Island Run and Ledge. You might want to hike them separate to avoid the lower section of Pine Island Run. Also, a prior post to the ledge.

Description: Pine Island Ledge is widely considered the most beautiful view in the Pine Creek Gorge, if not Pennsylvania. I think it is one of the most beautiful canyon or gorge views in the eastern U.S. Here, the canyon is so narrow and Pine Creek flows hundreds of feet below. The ledge has become an increasingly popular destination in the Tioga State Forest.

This is a very challenging hike, only experienced hikers should attempt. It is one of the most beautiful, and difficult, hikes in the Pine Creek Gorge. Most hikers to Pine Island use the rail trail, but this way is long and taxing. The hike from Claymine Road is much more scenic and challenging.

Hiking the loop clockwise or counterclockwise has its benefits. Clockwise requires a difficult scramble down Pine Island Run and a steep climb up to Pine Island Ledge. Counterclockwise is the opposite. It may be best to scramble up the lower gorge of Pine Island Run, which I consider the most challenging part. You can always skip this part and just go to the view.

From the parking area, follow an obvious trail through laurel down to Pine Island Run. Reach an intersection (see picture below). Go left to hike clockwise, right is counterclockwise. We hiked clockwise.

The hike along Pine Island Run is very beautiful with many cascades and slides. You will have to hike off trail much of the way and cross where you need to. The bottom of this gorge is very beautiful but challenging. It is best to stay on the west side of the creek. Be careful crossing a landslide. Rocks and cliffs tower above. Never attempt this hike in high water as the lower part of the gorge becomes too dangerous.

An unmarked trail makes the steep climb to the view. The view is simply incredible, framed by pine trees. An obvious trail continues north from the view, it becomes an old atv trail. There is one more view. There are beautiful pine and hemlock forests. The trail reaches private property, here go off trail to the east, roughly following the state forest boundary markers. Descend to an old grade This grade will take you to a campsite. Cross the creek and complete the loop.

You should have navigational aids or apps to hike this trail, especially the off trail part at the north end of the loop. The rest is fairly easy to navigate.

Parking on Claymine Road. Trail begins behind white sign.

This is where the trail from the parking area meets the loop. Left is down Pine Island Run, clockwise. Right is counterclockwise.

Red is off trail. Yellow are unmarked trails or old logging grades, some can be faint. Blue dots are waterfalls or cascades. This is not a gps track, accuracy not guaranteed, it is for general directional purposes only. Hike at your own risk. This is a very difficult hike with potentially dangerous sections.

Hike to Rosecrans and McElhattan Falls

Posted on April 8, 2024 by endlessmountains

Length: less than a mile one way

Trail conditions: trail to the falls is unmarked but easy to follow. It is a little steep down to the falls. Unmarked trails go down the gorge. Off trail to side stream falls and cove.

Parking: pull off parking at 41.074207,-77.328522. Don’t block the gates.

Highlights: beautiful double waterfall and an impressive gorge.

Description: This short hike leads to a beautiful double falls and a gorge enveloped in cliffs. This place is significant, with the largest falls in PA’s ridge and valley region, and one of the largest falls in the PA Wilds outside of Pine Creek.

To find the trail, walk north on Nittany Ridge Road and cross a small creek. Look for an unmarked trail to the right, follow it along the creek. It’s beautiful with hemlock forests. Reach the crest of Rosecrans Falls. Across the creek is private property and a home, do not trespass.

To get to the bottom of the falls, I actually recommend following the trail slightly uphill above ledges. The trail will then curve down below the ledges to the falls. This is more gradual with less erosion. You can scramble down a shortcut, but it is eroded.

The setting is truly beautiful. Enjoy the two falls and towering cliffs. McElhattan Falls may be on private land so don’t venture over there.

To see more, follow unmarked trails down along the creek. Cliffs tower on the other side, complete with a trickling falls 40 feet tall. It must be impressive when frozen. Cross the creek and go off trail into a side cove with a 10 foot falls surrounded by cliffs, another beautiful spot. I was as impressed by the cliffs and gorge as the falls.

Retrace your steps.

Brown are unmarked trails. Red dots are eroded and steep scramble that should be avoided. Solid red is off trail. Black dots are cliffs. Trails are not blazed. Excuse the typo, it is Rosecrans, not Rosencrans. This is not a GPS track, it is for general directional purposes, accuracy not guaranteed, hike at your own risk.

Hike to the Tioga Lake Ledges-State Game Lands 37

Posted on April 1, 2024 by endlessmountains

Length: Varies depending on route taken, but you can expect to hike around 4 miles.

Parking: 41.880412, -77.114154.

Difficulty: This is a challenging hike, off trail, with steep slopes.

Trail conditions: This is an off trail hike that follows the creeks and climbs into the woods. Forests are open.

Terrain: Hiking up to the ledges involve steep slopes, but there is no scrambling or rock climbing. Slopes can have loose dirt and rocks.

Highlights: Great views, seasonal falls and cascades.

Alternative access: Access may be possible from Park Hill Road which can avoid the climbing, but I did not go that way.

Description: This hike is notable for having a lake view with mountains, a rarity in PA. This is a rugged, off trail hike. This hike is located on SGL 37 and Army Corps of Engineer lands, which is leased to the Mill Cove Environmental Area. The area is open to the public, but there was a gate at the access. The gate was open when I visited.

From the parking spot, which is nothing more than a turn around at the end of the road, hike back down the road and turn left up the road to the shooting range. If the range is being used, do not access the hike this way (obviously). Walk to the back corner of the range and see an unblazed trail, follow it. The trail follows an old grade in hemlocks above Phoenix Run. There are slides and cascades below. Leave the grade and hike off trail up a tributary. Phoenix Falls comes into view. It is a seasonal falls, but a beautiful sight when flowing well. It is about 15 feet tall.

Here I simply turned and hiked up the slope. It was a steady climb with ledges. At the top, I followed the plateau west to the Tioga Lake Ledges, located at 41.889626, -77.118697. The ledges offer great views of the lake below, including the bridge. It is beautiful. From here, I went down the slope to the south and angled east back to Phoenix Run, retracing my steps to the shooting range and my car.

This map is not a gps track, it is for general directional purposes only, accuracy not guaranteed. Your route may vary. Red is off trail. Orange is on roads, or old forest grade/road.

Wykoff/Gore Draft Loop-Quehanna Wild Area

Posted on February 27, 2024 by endlessmountains

Length: 11-12 miles approx.

Difficulty: Moderate

Parking: Hoover Farms parking area, 41.229042, -78.191704

Trail conditions: Trails are in decent shape with signs at most junctures. Gore Draft Trail was the most brushy, but can still be followed.

Highlights: Scenic streams, meadows, view, cascades, gorges, old bunker, isolation, lots of hemlock, laurel, and rhododendron.

Description: This is a great loop hike in the Quehanna Wild Area. I was excited to hike this loop since I had not been on some of these trails before. The Quehanna Wild Area is a hiking and backpacking wonderland, and these trails can always use more traffic.

From the Hoover Farm parking area, I crossed the Quehanna Highway and followed a red trail to the yellow Wykoff Trail. I stayed on it as it turned left. The next section to Wykoff Run Road was very scenic with meadows, streams, hemlocks, and camping. I crossed the road and followed the Bailey Log Trail. Here, the trail crossed a vast jungle of mountain laurel (the trail is clear) making this a highlight when the laurel blooms in June.

There is a tricky turn. At the powerline, follow it to the right and veer left onto Gore Loop/Gore Cut off Rd. Turn right onto the Gore Draft Trail. This is the most overgrown trail with hemlocks and rhododendron, but I liked it. The trail is followable. The brush recedes as you enter the gorge with cascades. It is a scenic place. Cross the creek and turn left onto Sevinsky Trail with more cascades, boulders, and hemlocks near the top. This is another beautiful trail.

Turn left onto Foley Trail, another fine trail with hemlocks, meadows, and open hardwoods. The out and back to Gore Vista is worth it, offering a nice “window” view into the Quehanna Wild Area. I then followed Gore Vista Trail to the Gore Cut off Trail where we saw an old blue trail to the left, I hope to explore it someday. I turned right onto Bailey Long, left on Hoover Road, and right onto Old Hoover Trail. This trail was easy and scenic with more hemlocks and laurel. At a meadow, there is an old bunker just off the trail. I reached Quehanna Highway and crossed it to the parking area.

Description above is counterclockwise from Hoover Farm on the highlighted route. Blue are cascades. Orange is an old bunker.

Backpacking the Susquehannock Trail System (STS)

Posted on October 17, 2023 by endlessmountains

Length: 84 mile loop. The longest loop trail in the east.

Blazes: The STS is blazed orange, side trails are often yellow or red.

Duration: 4-8 days to do the entire trail as a thruhike.

History: The trail was built in 1968, making it one of the older backpacking trails in the country.

Difficulty: Varied. Easy to difficult. The STS is easier than the Black Forest Trail, but harder than the West Rim Trail, Old Loggers Path, or Allegheny Front Trail.

Terrain: The STS has plenty of ups and downs, but they tend to be gradual. Climbs and descents can reach a thousand vertical feet. The trail also has plenty of rolling and level sections. Cardiac Climb is the most famous steep part, but Morgan Hollow, near Left Branch Young Womens Creek, is much more challenging and is the steepest part of the STS.

Trail conditions: The trail is generally well marked and maintained. There are brushy sections, particularly in the Hammersley Wild Area north of the pool. There are some wet areas. The trail has no significant rocky areas or scrambling. It is often a fairly smooth trail. There are many stream crossings and several have bridges. Many trail junctures have signs.

Amenities: The STS has seven shelters and one small hut. Ole Bull State Park has water, bathrooms, camping and showers (fee applies), even a beach and swimming area. Cross Fork has Deb’s, a bar/restaurant, a small general store, and a post office to mail resupply boxes. There are also small hotels in Cross Fork. Lyman Run State Park is a short hike from the trail. It has a beach and swimming area, showers and camping (fee applies), and a seasonal snack shop.

Trailheads: The STS crosses many roads with small parking areas. The three main trailheads are the Northern Gateway/ Susquehannock Forest office 41.768418, -77.869546 , Ole Bull State Park 41.538682, -77.714718 , Cross Fork/Susquehannock Forest building 41.482110, -77.818396 . Make sure you leave your contact and vehicle information.

Fees/permits: None. Large backpacking groups (over 10, I believe) may need approval from the Susquehannock State Forest.

Which way to hike? I think the best route is clockwise from the Northern Gateway. This puts Cross Fork roughly half way where you can get a meal, resupply, or even a room.

Water: Generally common. However, the STS crosses many small streams that are dry in summer. Water quality is usually good.

Shelters: The STS has some of the nicest shelters I’ve seen on any trail. They often have furniture, like chairs and picnic tables. Some shelters are in dry locations and the Susquehannock Trail Club tries to cache water at those shelters, but it is not guaranteed. The shelters are as follows:

Dynamite House (small hut). Usually dry. Historical interest. Very dark inside.

Bolich Run Shelter. A favorite shelter of mine. Located in a meadow with a hemlock shaded creek nearby. There is even an open air privy.

Spook Hollow Shelter. Dry. A great place to stay over Halloween.

Scoval Branch Shelter. There is water, but it is swampy. Better water is downstream a half mile. Beautiful location.

Gravel Lick Shelter. Dry. Located very close to McConnell Road. Secret hint: walk McConnell Road east a few hundred feet to beautiful Hammersley Vista, great for sunrises.

Wild Boy Shelter. Another favorite. Isolated. Creeks nearby, even a spring that cascades over a rock outcrop.

Ford Hollow Shelter. The newest shelter is located near a creek. (I may have been the first to stay here overnight). I heard elk bugle here. Isolated feel. Another favorite. Located near a private property line and you can see meadows through the trees.

Sunken Branch Shelter. Dry. Nice location on an old, grassy forest road.

Who maintains the STS? That would be the Susquehannock Trail Club (STC). I’ve never seen a club take such loving care of their trail. You’ll see once you visit their shelters, and very cool log footbridges. There are also memorial benches and trail signs with the history of the sign and what kind of wood it was made from. STC on Facebook.

Guides and maps: The STC sells a guidebook and maps. The STS is on the FarOut app. The Susquehannock State Forest has free trail maps.

Highlights: Deep woods, isolation, scenic streams, great camping and shelters, Cross Fork, Ole Bull State Park, Spook Hollow, Greenlick Run, meadows, beaver dams and ponds, possibility to see elk, Hammersley Wild Area, Hammersley Pool, wildflowers, wildlife, variety of footbridges.

Things to be aware of: This trail has few views (a few are just off trail and are worth seeing) and no large waterfalls. If you’re looking for lots of views, waterfalls, and other classic scenery, the STS may not be for you. This is very much an isolated forests and creeks kind of trail.

While many creeks have bridges, all do not. Expect wet feet if creeks are flowing well. There is no bridge across Hammersley Fork which can be a sizeable crossing. Do not attempt in high water.

The STC tries very hard to maintain the trail, but you can expect brushy areas.

ATV trails cross the northern part of the STS, those trails are open late Spring to early October.

Other trails: Many other trails connect to the STS; this area has a vast trail system. The STS has two cross connector trails: West Branch and East Fork Trails. The STS also connects to the Donut Hole Trail. The STS connects to the famous Black Forest Trail via the North and South Link Trails, allowing an even larger loop.

Resupply: Cross Fork is the best resupply where you can mail a package to the post office. There is a small general store, but it has mostly candy and some snacks. It does not offer enough for a full resupply.

Best time to hike? All year, potentially. Spring brings lots of wildflowers. June has the mountain laurel blooms. Late September and early October have great fall colors. The STS would be gorgeous after a light snowfall, with convenient camping thanks to the shelters.

My favorite sections: I enjoyed most of the trail, but these were some of my favorite places: Jacob Hollow, Lyman Run, Cross Fork (creek), Ole Bull Run and State Park, Spook Hollow, Greenlick Run, Osborne Branch, Hammersley Wild Area from PA 144 to the Pool, East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek and Miller Farm.

See the vistas: The STS doesn’t have many views, but there are few close to the trail you should check out. Peek-a-boo Vista on the atv trail south of Lyman Run, Cherry Springs Vista on PA 44, Castle Vista in Ole Bull State Park, Hammersley Vista on McConnell Road.

Crowded? No. I don’t think the STS has ever been crowded. I experienced no competition for campsites or shelters (I was alone each night). Most people never see another hiker on their thruhikes. I saw four other backpackers and maybe ten dayhikers. Want isolation and serenity? This is the trail for you.

Would I thruhike it again? Yes. I really enjoyed the isolation and serenity, the deep woods, creeks, and occasional meadow. The shelters were a great convenience. I recommend this trail. The STS is the perfect trail if you’ve grown tired of popular and crowded trails.

For the maps above, C are established campsites I saw. S are new shelters not shown on the map. Note that not all the camping symbols on the map are established sites.

Explore the Chasms of Rock Run-Loyalsock State Forest

Posted on July 14, 2023 by endlessmountains

Length: About 4.5 – 5 miles

Parking: 41.534971, -76.891889

Highlights: Waterfalls, pools, cascades, gorges, grottos, chasms, campsites.

Trail conditions: Variable. The Old Loggers Path (OLP) is well established and blazed. This hike also involves off trail hiking, creek walking, and following a forest road.

Issues: do not do this hike in high water, Rock Run becomes a deadly whitewater river.

Description: Rock Run has long been a popular destination in the Loyalsock State Forest. It is famous for its beauty with cascades, falls, and bedrock pools. Almost the entire creek has this type of scenery. Rock Run is one of the most beautiful creeks I have ever seen.

This hike is also described in Hiking the Endless Mountains.

This hike explores the upper part of Rock Run, which is much less popular. It is still very beautiful. This hike requires some navigational experience. There are many route options, and part of this hike follows the creek itself. From the parking area, cross the bridge over Rock Run and turn right on Pioneer Road, a gated forest or jeep road. Follow it to a hunting cabin. This is Hawk Run. If you want to see the gorges and cascades on Hawk Run, go up the creek. There may be a faint path. Come to some slides with a huge cliff and giant boulders. Return the way you came.

From Hawk Run, we simply creek walked up Rock Run, but you can choose to also take Pioneer Road. The creek walk is much more scenic with several cascades, pools, and grottos. Either way, you will come to the first chasm, just downstream where the North Branch of Rock Run joins Rock Run. This chasm is stunning with towering cliff walls, slides, deep pools, and cascades. Just upstream is the second chasm, with a large pool, cascade, and huge ledges. This spot is truly spectacular.

Again, you can hike out via Pioneer Road, but we did a short bushwhack up the hill to the OLP and hiked it down to Yellow Dog Run. This is another incredible spot with more deep, bedrock pools, and the famous falls of Yellow Dog Run. From here, we left the OLP and simply followed Rock Run downstream. There was an unblazed path in many places. We occasionally walked along the creek. Rock Run continued to impress with its scenery. We hiked under cliffs, through grottos and along cascades. The unblazed path became more defined and we soon reached our cars at Yellow Dog Road.

PA is so beautiful. Explore it.

This map is for general directional purposes only and is not a GPS route. Red is off trail. Brown is an old logging or jeep road. Yellow is an intermittent unblazed path. You cannot drive up Pioneer Road.

More photos and videos:

Post Draft Vista-Donut Hole Trail

Posted on June 26, 2023 by endlessmountains

Length: about 1 mile, one way

Blazes: orange

Difficulty: Easy

Trail conditions: trail was well blazed and established

Parking: pull off parking at about 41.339445, -77.611247.

Highlights: great views, mountain laurel, ferns, fall foliage

Description: This short and easy trail leads to a great view of the Sproul State Forest. Located near famous Hyner View, expect to have this view all to yourself. This is an out and back trail along the Donut Hole Trail (DHT). The terrain is easy, with a mild climb. The trail meanders through mountain laurel and across some fern meadows. The forest is mostly hardwoods.

Turn left along a pipeline swath that resembles a mountaintop meadow. Enjoy nonstop views as you hike along the swath. There are also wildflowers. The DHT turns left into the woods, but continue off trail along the swath for about 200 feet to Post Draft Vista. The view is beautiful as it looks into a deep, wooded gorge. There is a campsite. Sunsets must be incredible. Return the way you came.

When we hiked in mid-June, the mountain laurel was in bloom, making for a beautiful hike.

This map is for general directional purposes only, it is not a GPS route. Brown is the short off trail section along the pipeline swath to the view.

More photos:

Hike to Gamble Run Vista-Mid State Trail

Posted on June 24, 2023 by endlessmountains

Length: About 1 mile, one way.

Difficulty: Easy hike

Blazes: Orange. Short side trail to vista is unblazed.

Terrain: level and rolling to the vista

Parking: small lot is at about 41.236678, -77.374679. Old Coudersport Pike was in good shape.

Highlights: Vista, ferns, mountain laurel

Issues: We couldn’t find the second vista lower on the ridge.

Description: This is a short and easy hike on the Mid State Trail to a fine vista overlooking the deep gorge of Gamble Run. From the parking area, the trail travels through fern meadows and into mountain laurel thickets. The trail was well blazed and in good shape. The terrain was level and rolling with a gradual incline.

After about a mile, look for a cairn and a short unblazed trail on the left that goes down to the vista. The view is very nice as it overlooks and the plateau and gorge. Maps show a second view lower on the ridge. We hiked down to see it, but did not locate it. Maybe we didn’t hike far enough, or it is overgrown. We retraced our steps back to the car. The descent looking for the second vista was steep in places.

If you’re looking for a short, easy hike to a fine view, this is the hike for you. If you want a harder hike that’s nearby, hike Gamble Run to the view over Schultz Fork.