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Old Logger's Path 06/21/07 |
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Description:
The Old Logger's Path is quickly becoming one of the most
popular backpacking venues in the Keystone State. This 28.8 mile
long (Some references, including the State Forest map, has the
distance at 27.3 miles.) Is composed mostly of old logging
railroad grades and haul roads interconnected by strategically
placed foot trails. It's official start and end is at the old
ghost town of Masten. If you use that as a location you can use
any of the on-line mapware programs to get you there. The
highlights of the loop are the many vistas, Pleasant Stream,
Yellow Dog Run and, most of all, Rock Run and the gorge it has
carved through the rocks through the millenniums. There are
campsites at most stream crossings but the best are along
Pleasant Run and at the confluence of Yellow Dog Run and Rock
Run. If you don't have the time to do the entire thing or just
want something shorter use the old railroad grade that connects
the east and west sections as a cross-connector. The northern
loop is about 21 miles long. The southern loop is about 13 miles
in length.
Note: This
connector can become overgrown in the summer and difficult to
follow.
Note: The trailhead is at the large brown and white sign at the site of the old logging town. |
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(Sized for 11X17 stock) Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files GPS Text File for Non-TOPO! Users
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Trail Notes: The entire trail is blazed orange with arrows noting change of directions. Watch out for these as the route constantly jumps from one grade to another and it's easy to walk by a footpath with obvious blazes if you are , shall we say, engaged in conversation or perhaps letting your mind wonder. It's easy to do here. Believe me. From the trailhead proceed east on Pleasant Stream Road. Cross the stream on a bridge. In 0.64 miles from the beginning turn right off of the road onto a footpath. Climb steeply for a short distance to the first of many railroad grades. Turn left onto the grade, traveling east still. In about 0.5 miles you'll turn right and climb to yet another grade. Turn right again, traveling west. The grade will slowly climb and curve around the mountain in a more south-easterly direction. Descend and cross an old woods road at 3.13 miles from first joining the grades at Pleasant Stream Road. In another 0.14 miles cross a gravel road, jogging to the left a bit and proceeding down a driveway. Almost immediately the trail leaves the driveway to the right. Watch for the blazes. In 0.58 miles descend to the spur trail on the left for the Sproul Point vista. After checking out the views continue your descent crossing gravel Cascade Road in 0.92 miles after the vista. In another 1.28 miles the trail will cross a stream and bear left onto another railroad grade. There is a nice campsite here. Shortly after turning onto this grade turn right onto a footpath and begin a steady, long climb. In 0.8 miles reach another grade. Turn left onto it and follow it out to John Merrell Road and Sharp Point Vista. After taking in the views here proceed west on the road leaving it to the left in about 0.33 miles. Descend on a narrow piece of sidehill trail. The footing is tricky here and the slope to your left is very steep. In 0.27 miles cross the road and pick up another railroad grade. In 1.61 miles arrive at Pleasant Stream. There is a nice campsite before the ford and more on the other side. This is a good place to call it night. After successfully crossing the stream find a campsite to the right. There is also a spur trail which I think leads to more sites. In a short distance climb up to another railroad grade. Going right will take you back to your car. Turn left here if completing the entire circuit. In 0.94 miles turn right off of the grade and arrive at Pleasant Stream Road. Turn left on the road, cross Long Run on a bridge and immediately turn right onto the continuation of the trail. |
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Here the trail picks up another grade and follows it up Long Run. The trail will leave the grade, as you descend to the run and climb up to the other side to another grade. The trail is blazed in both directions for some reason. Turn left here continuing upstream. In 1.18 miles from Pleasant Stream Road the grade meets the run. There is a small campsite here on and island. Cross the stream and turn downstream for just a few steps towards the camp to pick up the continuation of the trail on the other side. The trail continues upstream from here and soon comes to a large fern clearing. Turn left onto a footpath and climb steeply for 0.73 miles to the first of many vistas on Sullivan Mountain. This one isn't obvious. You have to slide between some mountain laurel to get to it. In another 0.61 miles there is an even grander vista and yet another in another 0.77 miles. In between there are other "partial" views. In 1.2 miles from the last vista turn right onto gravel Ellenton Road. Follow it for 0.33 miles and turn left onto another trail. Follow a railroad grade for 1.61 miles to a nice campsite on Doe Run. Shortly after passing the camp the trail crosses the run and follows its northern bank westward for a while before turning northeast again. In 1.07 miles from Doe Run come to a blue blazed spur trail on the left. Follow it for a tremendous view of the Rock Run Drainage. Continue on the Old Logger Path. In 0.36 miles cross a gas line swath.. After this crossing the trail descends for 0.58 miles to yellow Dog Road. Bear right onto the road and follow it for 0.22 miles. Turn left onto a footpath that runs into another grade. Follow it for 1.48 miles to the confluence of Yellow Dog Run and Rock Run. There is a large campsite here but even more places for tents on the other side of Yellow Run. This has got to be one of the best places to camp in all of PA. Enjoy the falls, chutes, swimming holes and water-sculpted rocks. The initial part of the grade appears to be constantly wet from a seep coming down from the hill. This only lasts for about 30 yards. Rock Run is very scenic but the trail leaves the streamside grade way too early. You might want to bushwhack further up the stream to visit some of what few have take the time to see. Climb steeply up a footpath to join another grade that is higher up the mountain. Eventually the trail will assume a very slight upward pitch but the climb up to it can be a bit challenging. In 4.25 miles from camp the trail will come out to what appears to be a frequently used logging road. Turn right onto it. In 0.15 miles turn left onto a footpath. Follow this a short distance to once again join Ellenton Road. Turn left here but when the road splits turn right onto another road. This is part of blue blazed Cherry Ridge Trail and is signed as such. Follow the road for 0.45 miles and turn left onto a footpath that quickly joins another railroad grade. In 1.21 miles arrive at a nice but dry campsite. Shortly after this the trail crosses a seasonal stream and in 0.43 miles arrives at Pleasant Stream Road once again. Turn left here and in a few yards arrive back at your car. Printable/Downloadable Trail Notes ________________________________________
Name: Steve
(hikingff77)
Hike: Old Loggers Path ________________________________________
Name: paknees
Hike: Old Loggers Path ________________________________________
Name: MDRaven
Hike: Old Logger's Path ________________________________________
Name: Bob
Hike: Old Logger's Path ________________________________________
Name: Kyle Henson
Hike: Old Loggers Path - North Section ________________________________________
Name: T Mainzer
Hike:
Old Loggers Path ________________________________________ |
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