It's very detailed, featuring maps, historical information, mileages, and campsite suggestions. Map 4- Brunnerdale Road to Western Terminus (PA 87) (22 miles). 87 end decent was brutal in the dark. 87 Montoursville exit from I-180, and ends at a parking lot on Mead Road, 2.4 miles north of the intersection of U.S. Route 220 & PA Rt. Plenty of water sources along the trail but might need to carry more in a few spots that lead up to ridge lines. Land Designation and Camping: This trail is mostly on state forest land where primitive camping is permitted; however, there are a couple brief stretches that cross private land where camping is not allowed. I couldnt believe how much that first day I pushed my body. Some steep ascents and descents to keep it challenging. Most of the Loyalsock Trail is located within the Loyalsock State Forest, with the remainder on private land. Loyalsock Trail Information Coordinates: 41.4175778N, -76.6107843W Approx. If you have a chain saw (and know how to use it), bring it; otherwise, loppers are good. With an easier day of 14 miles, we planned a very long lunch break at the park. ), but we easily could have spent a bit more time at many of the vistas or just wandering along the trail. As I settled back into my reality, I kept saying to myself, Thats it? Its over already? 60 Miles in three and a half days, I just finished my first multi-day backpacking trip thru-hiking theLoyalsockTrail. Black dots are large rocks. I haven't done a long backpacking trip in a while, so I was feeling it in my knees and ankles--this is one rocky trail! Testing myself, mentally and physically and to get a fresh perspective. Hiked the full 60 miles over 5 days. It is important that all hikers help to prevent contamination (human waste, garbage, and wash water) of all water along the LT. Water should be boiled, filtered or chemically treated before use. The climb directly after passing the visitors center is pretty rough as it goes up over 800 in two miles. Loyalsock State Forest and Link Trail Map and Guide (PDF) District Trails Blessing Mountain Trails Map and Guide (PDF) Fern Rock Nature Trail Map and Guide (PDF) Haystack Rapids Trail Map and Guide (PDF) Jacoby Falls Trail Map and Guide (PDF) Old Loggers Path Trail Map (PDF) Rock Run Valley Trails Map and Guide (PDF) Thruhiking the LT will be an experience you wont forget and is a perfect prep hike for longer trails, like the Long Trail or Appalachian Trail. Old paint blazes are being replaced with small disks. For more detail, note the following link, with the course map: On Saturday September 23 between 10:00am and 3:00pm, the LT welcomes the Worlds End Fall Classic. Climb to Kettle Creek Gorge Vista, a beautiful view. The Loyalsock Trail is a footpath which begins on route PA87 and end along route US220. To order the new Guide from its various sales sources, please visit or Order Guides webpage: Order 20th Edition. Reading the Blazes. The 215-mile New England Trail winds along rocky ridges and through upland forests from Long Island Sound in Connecticut to the northern Massachusetts border. Some nice views from the Loyalsock Trail, PA. It is recommended that you use the most current (20th) edition. Hiking North East and following guide book. I did the All-Trail GPS on my hike and it came back at 17 miles. I thru-hiked the trail in March; it was still cold (down to 20 degrees), but there was no longer snow on the ground. Cross a forest road and reach beautiful Sones Pond with excellent camping. Descend to Cape Run with cascades and falls. Backpacker, photographer, gear junkie, ultimate frisbee player, future Triple Crowner (just putting it out there so I actually do it), NPS volunteer. Well, he wasnt there, so we kept walking. Tons of beautiful scenery, especially in the last 15 miles (or first if you're going west to east). It reminded me of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 27 h 39 min to complete. DO NOT camp on private land. Generally speaking, there are established sites at the best places to camp, and most of the sites have water sources nearby. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. More Information: Beautiful fields with an abandoned hotel/casino. I hiked this trail some 23 years ago. Hike into a stunning mini-gorge with cascades. It is recommended that you use the most current (20th) edition. The Alpine Club of Williamsports Loyalsock Trail Guide is a must-have, and comes in a rustic-looking cover. My eyes were filled with tears of pain, happiness, and exhaustion, I knew was what waiting for me in that parking lot. As everyone says, this is indeed a very well marked trail--it's hard to get off track if you're paying attention. Did a west to east thru 10/29 - 11/2. The trail saves the best for the end, winding along Loyalsock Creek. 27 trails on an interactive map of the trail network. It ended up being the hottest summer in years that year and we seen 3 or 5 days of 100F weather. I am capable of so much. All of the intermittent streams were dry but we had no trouble getting enough water from the perrenial streams. The toughest climbs are clustered in the western half, and the trail grows easier and more beautiful as you head northeast. Highly recommend. Pushed 19 miles and camped at 47 miles. -I recommend going from east to west as you want to go up the steep rocky section past World's End State Park and not down. Please keep these dates in mind (and on your calendar). definitely glad I had my poles too, great to the falls, hiked in ANOTHER snowstorm (got 12 inches) couldn't see where we were stepping at all so took the cheater way up to the road. When he reached the bottom he had skin hanging from his fingers and palms. The trail levels with hemlocks and small streams. Mountain laurel is common along the trail and blooms in mid to late June. Resupply: There are no readily available places to resupply on the trail. The trail is rolling to Mineral Spring Falls. Follow an old forest road and then a dirt road with many fields and meadows. and the Trail Runs intersect with some segments of the Loyalsock Trail between Mile 22.08 (Brunnerdale Road) and Mile 53.32 (the Iron Bridge), additionally including the entire Red-X Link Trail. Western Terminus: Loyalsock Trailhead off PA Route 87Closest City: Williamsport, Pennsylvania (15 miles), Eastern Terminus: Loyalsock Trailhead Dutchman FallsClosest Cities: Williamsport, Pennsylvania (42 miles) or Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (49 miles). Trickiest part is grades and rocks. All Rights Reserved. The Loyalsock is a forest I love and know well and the through hike is a challenge I have wanted to take on for a long time. 154 meets World's End Road. There are no shelters on trail but established primitive campsites are frequent and well-outlined in a detailed guidebook published annually by The Alpine Club of Williamsport (highly recommend getting one!). I have to finish. Day 4 finished around 1:30 pm after 12 miles. Maintained and managed by: Alpine Club of Williamsport, Trail guide and maps: available for sale from the Alpine Club of Williamsport. I suggest a minimum of four days/three nights for the trail, though it would be easy to stretch it to four or five nights without it getting boring. Elevation: 1,932 feet (589 meters) USGS Map Area: Eagles Mere Feature Type: Trail Nearby Trails Loyalsock Trail is listed in the Trails Category for Sullivan County in the state of Pennsylvania. Loyalsock State Forest includes portions of: Sullivan County Lycoming County Bradford County The forest spans the northern tier's "Endless Mountains" region and primarily consists of northern hardwoods forest type. If I do this trail again I'll probably wear higher ankle boots (the ones I wore were low) to provide more stability on the rocky portions. I slept so well the previous night though, that I had some extra energy. Join the Purple Lizard e-news community and stay in the loop on the latest Purple Lizard product offerings, discounts, map updates, adventure ideas and more. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Now that I know I can do the LT, I know I can do more. Cross the creek, the largest stream crossing on the trail. Parked by rt 220 and got shuttled to mile marker 1. Fires are not permitted here. Loyalsock State Forest mountain bike trail map. The creek is beautiful. I am a very experienced hiker and was able to fall only 5 times over the two days. Very fun though! Cross Tamarack Run. This loop is 5-6 miles long. From the Mead Road trailhead, the LT makes a rocky descent to an old railroad grade and turns left on the grade. To purchase full Guide with directions, maps and additional info, go to: Loyalsock Trail Guides . I find it hilarious when people on these apps take away stars because the trail was muddy or rocky or anything else that just naturally exists in the forest and is inherently an aspect of the activity that they signed up for! There will be signs posted at the affected waypoints, so please be alert to that signage when hiking the Link Trail in that area. Trail guide and maps: available for sale from the Alpine Club of Williamsport. Althoughhh there are tons of blueberry bushes along the way so snag some handfuls of these while youre walking for a quick treat! Very rocky, super hard on your feet if you arent used to it. The Runs traverse through many of that area's hiking trails, logging roads, horse trails, etc. This is a Half Marathon Race which explores various Trails within the Worlds End State Park and it intersects segments of the LT between Mile 42.77 and Mile 47.24, including parts of the Red-X Link Trail. Camping is downstream. A blue side trail to the right descends to the bottom of Dutchman Falls. However, the Western trailhead only has parking for a few cars, so get there early if you want a spot. I hiked the Loyalsock in 3 days last weekend, July 24th-26th. There are a number of great trails within the park that offer stunning views and waterfalls. The hike is constantly climbing steeply and then descending into valleys just as quickly, so do not expect winding switchbacks like youd find out West. Just finished this trail with 2 others - I loved it! To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Hikers should use the Guide and maps, along with the trail markers and their hiking 'know-how'. They took us to the LT and I remember talking about it with the staff that was taking us on this expedition. Our back packs weighed around 60 pounds and we carried at least 3 surplus canteens full of H20, as we were attacking the trail at the tail end of July into August 1995. These areas are all spelled out in the Alpine Clubs trail guide. Dont miss the chance to climb across and swim in The Haystacks around mile 57! Keep in mind, I hiked in long pants in early August--which was a good choice because there are extended sections on the trail where you'll be hiking through some kind of nettle (not urtica dioica) that even got me through my pants a few times. Just got back from doing this trail last night. Directions, Parking, & Shuttle Service for the Loyalsock Trail. Make sure you are in great shape because I would rate this closer to difficult versus moderate. As for difficulty, thats all relative too. Learn how to purchase full Loyalsock Trail Guides with directions, maps, and additional info. I held my breath with each up and down, stopping every so often to let out some tears. -Make sure you wear trail running shoes. Near water source. Descend to a highlight of the trail, gorgeous Ketchum Run. Highland Lake Manor is along the trail and is a restaurant for a private club, I do not know if it is open to the public. In Worlds End State Park, camping is permitted only at designated campsites. Descend gradually along Little Painter Run and then climb up to another LT highlight, Smiths Knob. Angel Falls, reached via a short side trail at mile 23, is a must-visit. Enter Worlds End State Park (backpack camping is not allowed in the state park) and reach High Rock Vista. We recommend using this most recent Edition, if you are doing any longer-term hikes, especially thru hikes. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 27 h 39 min to complete. We did it. Beautiful trail overall especially the 2nd half. Preferably showing huts. You could totally do it without a map or guidebook but I suggest the guide book for tracking/planning your day, water refills, break, benchmarks etc. We took 5 days and enjoyed every minute. We breezed through seven miles in the morning, stopped for lunch then at mile 14 loaded up on water. The Alpine Club of Williamsport, PA, organized in 1953, maintains the 59.21 mile Loyalsock Trail (LT) and has trail care hikes and other outings. The LT follows mountain ridges and streams through the Loyalsock Creek watershed as it travels through the woods on footpaths, old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades. Highlights: Dutchman Falls, Haystacks Rapids, Sones Pond, Alpine Falls, Worlds End State Park, Canyon Vista, Mineral Springs Falls, Alpine Vista, Lower Alpine Vista, Ketchum Run, Rode Falls, Lees Falls, Split Rock, Dutters Run, Kettle Creek Gorge, Angel Falls, historic structures near Highland Lake, Smiths Knob, Allegheny Front. I was able to swat away two nasty ones before they attached themselves to my skin. Descend steeply and hike rolling terrain which can often be wet. We hiked at the end of June and found the initial 12-15 miles to be quite overgrown with grass, ferns, stinging nettle, and rhododendron. This is the only point on the trail where I lost my footing and hit the deck. The state park section takes you down a rocky canyon, eventually passing a visitors center (theres a snack shop nearby) and ending with a steep scramble up to High Rock Vista. For anyone thinking of taking this hike, especially women I say do what you need to do to prepare, and then go for it - you are stronger than you think. Great trail! An emotional moment I wont forget. A long gradual climb follows. -If you're planning to do just a section I highly recommend mile 23 to mile 44. The LT is blazed with yellow disks having red LT letters in the center. Season Dates Max reservation window: Wed Mar 13 2024 Later Dates Alerts and Important Information This is a very hard trail but worth it! I had gotten a message mid-afternoon that he had checked out the site and it was full of mosquitos and to go across the stream and hed be to the right. By later that day, it had to have been pushing 90 and humid, I was feeling nauseous and exhausted around 15 miles on the Genesee Trail. Most of the falls were very low on water so not as exciting to view as they probably are after a heavy rainfall or earlier in the season. Hike to the park office. This makes it much easier to more permanently move through pages of the Guide, as you navigate across the Trail. The campground opens the second Friday in April and closes at the end of regular deer season in early December. Descend to Big Run and take the short side trail to Alpine Falls in a grotto of cliffs. Have to be very nimble with footing. She loves the green tunnel of Pennsylvania trails and will never stop being enchanted by the lush ferns. All in all, this trail gives a nice mix of northeastern low-mountain landscapes, some exquisite views, and strenuous sections balanced out with milder portions. Pass Sock Rock and a final view. Loyalsock State Forest, PA Add to Favorites Loyalsock State Forest is named for Loyalsock Creek, a scenic freestone stream that winds through the heart of its 114,522 acres. There was a long stretch of road walking and no water sources ahead of us. Can hear falls n creek below, Limited camping options & unreliable water sources, Very cool trail section, narrow trail runs parallel to creek, Campsite near water source, respect the water, Campsite near water. Green tunnel of Pennsylvania trails and will never stop being enchanted by the ferns. Deer season in early December early if you have a chain saw ( and know how to purchase full with. Miles ) are established sites at the park doing this trail is must-visit... 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