Old Loggers Path

“I was thinking of doing the Old Loggers Path in PA. in a few weeks. Has anyone done it or have any info on it. I am looking to do a 3 day/2 night hike withing 1-2 hours of state college if anyone has any suggestions.”

“Hmm.. I haven't done it but I think AmyG has.. she has some pictures from their on her photopoint page.”

“thanks I'll check it out”

“I too haven't done it but have researched it. It is an ideal 3day/2 nighter. Goes around a mountain, so you end up back at your car. Ghost towns, abandoned RR grades and tunnels etc. Check out the Keystone Trail Assoc website, they have detail I think. Also the Tiadaghton State forest has free topo maps or is the Wyoming Forest.”

“Check this out+
http://www.gorp.com/gorp/publishers/countryman/hik_paol.htm”

“I did it last October and really liked the trail. There were 5 awesome overlooks, however, this time of the year, with no leaves on the trees, there's probably even more. So don't forget your camera.

I plan to go back there again and hike the trail clockwise this time. I plan to go around the time of a full moon and camp near one of the overlooks.

Get the book "50 Hikes in Central PA" (check the PSU Library). It has a good writeup and map of the trail. It's a 2-nighter and well worth the hike.”

“Sounds like a great fall hike..

I want to see some awesom foliage this year.”

“I hiked the Old Loggers Path last October and think it's an excellent 3 day 2 night trip. If you go when there is still a snowpack you may want to call the District Forester in advance to check on trail conditions because if the snow is deep it may take you longer to complete it. There's no bridge over Pleasant Stream so if the water is high it could be a challenge crossing.”

“Hmmmmmm...I hiked OLP last October too...with someone also named Rich B. Small world!”

“Buddur, It was a nice trip. I like that idea about hiking the other way and camping out near an overlook.”

“Hi Chunga!

I hiked the OLP in Summer of 1999...great trail! I stretched it out into three days and three nights, but it could easily be a weekender. Tom Thwaites's guide was the route I followed, although some of his wordings are a bit skewed at times, ie: "soon you'll come to a nice campsite" turned out to be a long stretch of 3 miles before a campsite was found.
but I digress...
There are numerous scenic creeks and streams all along the route and several nice waterfalls to be found, if you wander off trail near bear run, especially. Speaking of bears...there are lots of bears in that area, so be sure to hang your food. When I returned to my car at the end of my 3 day loop, there were muddy bear footprints on the hood of my car and nose smoodgies on the windshield, where apparently "someone" was scouting my car for goodies. Thankfully, no damage was done(my car was completely empty).

Happy trails! :o)”

“RichB- thanks we are going the first week in march so hopefuuly some of the snow will be melted

AmyG- i've seen the book the map should be key.

does anyone have any other suggestions for another hike within 1-2 hours of state college near the same distance of hike”

“West Rim trail is awesome! If you've never done it, it's a must! Shuttle services are easy from pine creek outfitters too.

Black Forest Trail, Loyalsock - both good.

I recently did a three day in Elk state forest - Quehanna wild area. I LOOOOVE that place! Saw a bobcat and lotso elk. Numerous trails there to connect into any length loop you want.”

“where is the west rim trail located?
have you ever done any hikes near state college, the indian steps are a great dayhike, about 9.9 miles”

“The West Rim Trail is at the Grand Canyon of PA. Look at the Colton Point side. Its 10-15 miles west of Wellsboro.”

“Also look at the Mid State Trail. I think it connects to the West Rim Trail near Blackwell. I know it runs through Bald Eagle State Forest. The Poe Paddy area and Penns Creek are nice. One section here runs on an old railroad bed and goes through a 250' tunnel. Preety neat area. Good trout fishing. I never backpacked through this area (day hikes)so I don't know about campsites. Look around.”

“Here's a few links to get you started. Bald Eagle S.F. area has a section of the Mid State Trail.
The Allegheny National Forest should be within your reach also and they have numerous oppurtunities. A section of the North Country National Scenic Trail runs through the forest. Have a good time.”

“If you do the Quehanna trail...lemme know. That's on my list for this year, and I just may join you!”

“Definitely check with the forest office before you go about snow conditions. We hiked the Black Forest Trail at the end of March one year and ended up postholing hip deep. Loggers Path is a nice easy trail, and being a loop makes it nice. The Chuck Keiper Trail can be divided into two overnight loop trips too (either 20 and 30 miles long or 25/25 miles if you use Penrod Road as a cut-off). So can the Black Forest Trail. Allegheny Front Trail (Moshannan State Park) has two @ 25 mile loops.) Part of the Quehanna Trail can be done as a short loop, using a ski trail as a cut-off. Most of the rest of the trails in central PA are linear, so you would have to spot cars. Still, they are worth doing. Defintely look for Tom Thwaite's books and also the KTA "Hiking Trails in PA" which has a little info on all the trails in the state.”

“I've done most of the Old Loggers Path on dayhiking trips during fair weather. Great place! You'll enjoy it. But this time of year, the snow would probably be deep up there on the plateau and ridgetops.

Man! You're located in a hiker's paradise! You have the southeastern stretch of the Mid State Trail practically running through your back yard. Just an hour or two north, northwest or northeast of Happy Valley are the Chuck Keiper, Quehanna, and Donut Hole trails, and the Bucktail Path. Just a little farther and you can be at the Black Forest, Susquehannock, West Rim and Loyalsock trails, or the Old Loggers Path; not to mention the Alleghenny National Forest.

Get Tom Twaites' "50 Hikes in Central PA" and KTA's "Pennsylvania Hiking Trails." Also, you'll find some great guides for these trails at your local outdoors store (eg., Appalachin Ski and Outdoors on College Ave. in State College). For local hiking and backpacking treks... if you don't already have it, get a copy of the Purple Lizzard map of Rothrock State Forest.

Happy Trails.

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"Respect and enjoy Nature. Have fun. Be considerate of others."”

“Thanks:)
I have the purple lizard, i've done the entire portion of the mid-state on the map. also greenwood furnace, bear meadows, etc.. i recently got all of the topo maps for a decent radius around state college.
i am looking forward to the quehanna this summer. i also like to do some of the others you mentioned.

i'll be outta here in about a year so i wanna do as much as i can this season.”

“Hey chunga,

I've backpacked and/or hiked most of the trails I mentioned above, including the entire Quehanna Trail with its two cross-connectors. The QT is one of my favorites! I have a trip report for the east loop, and can provide info for the west loop too, if you're interested. Email me: silverm@mwisp.net”