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Post by jmitch on Nov 30, 2016 21:13:56 GMT -5
Has anyone hiked in these gamelands on the ridge of Tuscarora Mtn? Online game land maps show a ridgetop trail and the ridge looks like it would have a lot of vistas from talus slopes, ledges, and meadow areas, plus there is almost a 1,600 vertical foot rise over the surrounding valleys. There are game land parking areas at the north and south ends of this possible ridge trail, allowing a traverse of the ridge. Could be a great hike.
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Post by AegisIII on Nov 30, 2016 23:53:31 GMT -5
I've hiked it. It's the Tuscarora Trail. Yes, good views, lots of assorted rocky sections. A fair amount of wildlife; I've seen deer, turtles, porcupine, turkey, grouse, and coyote up there. Never saw anyone out there when I was, though other cars and trail log entries told me I was not the only one out there on those days.
The southern half is better. A loop can be made using the Hells Hill Trail and the Yellow Trail with some logging roads, but there are not any great views along that part. I'd like to try a loop from the southern end to the Yellow Trail, but it doesn't look like there's a good way back on the east base of the mountain and I doubt it'd be a nice bushwhack.
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Post by jmitch on Dec 1, 2016 12:22:52 GMT -5
Thanks, I got my mountains mixed up when I was looking at the online PGC maps. If you'd like to hike it sometime, let me know.
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ki0eh
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Post by ki0eh on Dec 1, 2016 14:09:04 GMT -5
When the ATC held its biennial meeting in Shippensburg in 2001, I was one of the group setting up the hikes (I was assigned the northwest quadrant, and a series on the Tuscarora). One hike went from US 30 (back when it seemed ok to park across from the biker bar) south to down the Hells Hill trail. We called the hike "To Hell and Down."
It should be noted that the TT here is broadly similar to the nearby SST and MST - it's tough to keep ahead of all the briers on the ridge top, in addition to what could optimistically be called a lack of defined treadway, and often more colorfully characterized.
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ki0eh
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Posts: 196
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Post by ki0eh on Dec 1, 2016 14:19:07 GMT -5
IMHO:
this bit of the TT is not quite as scenic as either the nearby SST, or sections 2 or 3 of MST.
It's neither as scenic nor as rough as the TT either side of Waggoners Gap (PA 74 north of Carlisle) which is acclaimed by those who have done this and all the AT, MST, and SST as the roughest day or two of hiking in PA.
It's less scenic and close to as rough as the TT going over the Turnpike.
It's rougher and less scenic than the TT from PA 16 north to Cowans Gap.
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