North-central Pennsylvania

[poconoron]

Don't know how many people here are familiar with some beautiful, fairly remote backcountry in north-central Pennsylvania. There are a total of about 2.3 million acres combined of state forest, national forest and state game lands in that area which contain beautiful oak/mixed forest land with many valleys, ridgetops, coursing streams and just generally nice backcountry. Some areas, like the Quehanna country, remind me of low-elevation ADK terrain. The entire area has some of the darkest skies in the East because of low population density, along with the ADKs and Maine. Wildlife is very abundant, with bear, deer, an elk herd numbering 700 or so, coyotes, bobcats, a re-established fisher population, otters, beavers, etc.

I find it to be a nice alternative to the ADKs from time to time and you will also generally find far fewer hikers than many others areas in the East. It's worth checking out. If anyone is interested, I can point you in the right direction.

[Iceman]

[QUOTE=poconoron]Some areas, like the Quehanna country, remind me of low-elevation ADK terrain.QUOTE]

You got any 4,000 footers over there?

[poconoron]

[QUOTE=Iceman]

Some areas, like the Quehanna country, remind me of low-elevation ADK terrain.QUOTE]

You got any 4,000 footers over there?

No, the highest elevation in the state is just 3,213 ft and there are only 6 above 3,000 ft. There are some occasional vistas from high points and ridges, but this is not "high peaks" terrain by any stretch of imagination. It's more like southern and western ADKs but without lots of ponds and lakes. And unlike the ADKs where the mountain peaks are more isolated from each other, Pa. has lots of ridges connecting high points like the Appalachians in Virginia or West Virginia. These long ridges and the accompanying valleys can see elevation differences of 1-2000 ft. resulting in some strenuous hikes without necessarily getting the benefit of "killer views" like the ADKs or Whites. Still, it's nice, quiet backcountry since "peak baggers" are not attracted to the area much.

See attached:

http://www.mountainpeaks.net/hiking_pennsylvania.html

[twochordcool]

What's the furthest you can get from the nearest road, and where is that?

[steve40]

I've only been to some state parks down there,Worlds End,Little Pine,Ricketts Glen.Found excellent hiking at all of them.The terrain is plenty rugged for me.Good warm-up hiking in the spring.Going to Ricketts Glen Sunday to check out some falls after todays rain.

[dog]

Allegheny NF

I was there in 90th , when exploring all big green spots on a map around me .
Staying in a KOA cabin , I mostly just drove around for " introduction " with short hikes . Now have only a general impression : I like that woods and should be back some day .
Also remember that cozy visitors centers - they , looks like , are built from zero .
And what was important and interesting for me beside woods-waters , the small villages and people - I love PA ! .

[Dick]

[QUOTE=poconoron]

No, the highest elevation in the state is just 3,213 ft and there are only 6 above 3,000 ft. There are some occasional vistas from high points and ridges, but this is not "high peaks" terrain by any stretch of imagination. It's more like southern and western ADKs but without lots of ponds and lakes. And unlike the ADKs where the mountain peaks are more isolated from each other, Pa. has lots of ridges connecting high points like the Appalachians in Virginia or West Virginia. These long ridges and the accompanying valleys can see elevation differences of 1-2000 ft. resulting in some strenuous hikes without necessarily getting the benefit of "killer views" like the ADKs or Whites. Still, it's nice, quiet backcountry since "peak baggers" are not attracted to the area much.

See attached:

http://www.mountainpeaks.net/hiking_pennsylvania.html

Heck, if there are no 4000 footers, what's the point in going there, anyway! Seriously, we lived in PA for a few years (south central) and we know it is a beautiful state. We hope to get back there sometime soon.

Dick

[twochordcool]

What's the furthest you can get from the nearest road, and where is that?

[steve40]

Went to Ricketts Glen today,What a beautiful day in bug free Pa.

[dog]

So , can somebody advice about nice trails , spots , regulations tricks ? I'm not about peaks .
Are there a conifer woods ? Maybe resurrected , as was made at Tug Hill with selective cutting for dozen years . Or virgin ?

I just reread the poconoron's post . Point me , please , poconoron , what I asked about before . Long ride for me , I' m going for few days this summer .
Tnx .

[steve40]

Dog,don't know much about the regulations but the Mid-State trail or Loyalsock trail may be good choices.You can probably google both of them to find out more info.

[wbwells]

Try the West Rim Trail in the "PA Grand Canyon"...Pine Creek
Very Nice and Remote....Skip the real Beginning and start right at the end of the Bridge at Pine Creek at Blackwell Pa, Parking is right at the Bridge...up river from there is all state land 20-25 miles the trail is nice and you will see a lot. Nesting Bald Eagles about 2.5 up from the Bridge...Otter. Bears, Deer ect....

I know the area well and I think it is what you are looking for...

WBW

[poconoron]

Good suggestions above by steve40 and wbwells. Another excellent one is the Quehanna Trail. This is a nice 75 mile loop wilderness trail, but without "high peaks- lots of deer, bear, coyotes, fishers and you might even spot an elk! Pennsylvania now numbers at least 700 elk in a relatively small area of the state.- see attached link. Read this link and it will give info on getting there, maps and where to start, etc.

http://www.westbranch.org/community%20pages/quehanna%20trail/quehanna%20trail.htm

Much of this trail is in Moshannon State Forest and Elk State Forest, a combined area of nearly 400,000 acres - see link for general info and basic maps:

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/moshactivities.aspx

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/elk.aspx

Good luck and let us know if you make it there.

[dog]

Thank you , guys ! Now I need to work a little bit with this info , you gave me .