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thr0ttles
05-23-2005, 10:38 AM
This past weekend I hiked the World's End Tr and Loyalsock Tr from World's End State Park in PA and thought I'd share the experience...

The World's End Tr began a quick, short, and steep ascent up to World's End Vista, which overlooks the Loyalsock creek, park office, and swimming area.

The next few miles provided level hiking and blue skies on old forest roads and cross country ski trails.

We soon joined the Loyalsock and peered over the edges and picturesque view of Upper and Lower Alpine view.

From there, it was down, into the gorge below, and Ketchum run, with it's first treat, Rode's Falls. Notice the ladder on the trail off to the left.

Further up the trail were more cascades and then Lee's Falls.

Soon, we reached camp and setup a small fire at a nice campsite for the night. That's my new Black Diamond Firstlight in the background. It ended up raining again, all nite, and temps were very chilly, down into the lower-mid 40s.

The next morning, after some nice oatmeal and hot chocolate, we journeyed back and I found a perfect Jungle Hunt view to swing on.

Back on the Loyalsock, the hiking was generally level, with a few ascents and descents, and an old mine that was partially sealed shut but now home to several animals as evidenced by lots of droppings at the entrance.

Towards the end of the hike, we reached Minerals Springs, a sulfur spring, with orange deposits in the water and a noticably stinky smell in the air. Not too far away, there was Mineral Falls.

In the end, we hiked about 18 miles in two days, survived the rain and chilly temps, and got a peak at many wildflowers, woodpeckers, chipmunks, a snake, the occasional deer track, a possible bear track, and an old mine cave. World's End State Park and the surrounding Wyoming State Forest are both excellent places to visit. I'm sure i'll be back again.

NoKnees
05-23-2005, 01:33 PM
Nice TR. Good looking area. Can't wait to get our for my first hike of the season... Glad to see others gettin' out in it at least..

Still thinking about grabbing that tent, just can't quite budget it yet... Going to be slim pickings for a year or two as we just bought our first house... Oh well, guess that shelter is more import than a new tent.. For now at least.. ;)

KeithEA
05-23-2005, 06:01 PM
Wow. Great pictures. Thanks for posting the pics and trip report. I love that waterfall! Keith

thr0ttles
05-23-2005, 06:07 PM
Still thinking about grabbing that tent...

my impressions of the firstlight are that it's nice and light, easy to setup, and roomy enough for one-person. with two-people, it's tight but workable. i'm seriously considering the vestibule though because condensation does build up when it rains and if you're up against the edges because you're squeezing two people in the tent, whatever rubs up against the tent does get a little wet. from what i hear, the vestibule makes a big difference to help with ventilation when it's raining, plus it gives you more room when putting two in the tent.

thr0ttles
05-23-2005, 06:11 PM
Wow. Great pictures. Thanks for posting the pics and trip report. I love that waterfall! Keith

Thanks! Hopefully more people will post and share their experiences and photos. a friend of mine at outdoorreview.com's sister site, roadbikereview.com, does lots of these "reports" so i figured i'd try it out here also.

djmutiny
05-26-2005, 08:29 PM
Hey nice report. That is a beautiful walk. Ever make it to West Rim Trail, or Black Forest? Those two and the Loyalsock are 3 of my favorites in our oh-so-paved-over state of PA (eastern pa anyway).

Dan

thr0ttles
05-26-2005, 08:59 PM
Hey nice report. That is a beautiful walk. Ever make it to West Rim Trail, or Black Forest? Those two and the Loyalsock are 3 of my favorites in our oh-so-paved-over state of PA (eastern pa anyway).

Dan


Thanks Dan!

I have not yet been to the West Rim or Black Forest tr, but I plan on it. I'm using Jeff Mitchell's Backpacking PA book and those two, among many others, are on my list to tackle soon. I'm especially looking forward to the challenge of the Black Forest tr.

Eastern PA may be "developed" but coming from the suburbs of Philly to that area of the state, I feel like i'm in upstate NY or VT and NH almost. It's definitely much better than trying to hike at say, Fairmont/Wissahickon Park in Philly.