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Post by shamus on May 6, 2018 16:44:14 GMT -5
Seeking to park perhaps at pine grove, near museum, early on a Friday afternoon.
Need to get back to car by late the next day.
Stay in tents overnight, preferably in an off the trail setting.
(Early July hike)
Suggestions for:
Loop hikes?
Shuttle service/Uber to get back?
Best routes for scenery and such?
I have a mild interest in being able to see the old POW camp, but by no means a must-do for this time out.
My Sincere thanks for your input!
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Post by AegisIII on May 12, 2018 23:10:08 GMT -5
Some thoughts. In July, we can be talking hazy, hot, humid. On another forum, I suggested a triple vista circuit. It's still nice, but it may not be the best in the summer. Instead, I would think staying close to water, and preferably under hemlocks and/or rhododendrons, and try to avoid big climbs. Both are in the 11-13 mile range. My caveat about using unmarked trails remains; they show up on OpenStreetMap and the Strava heatmap.
First option would be a Camp Michaux-based loop. Starts at PGF Furnace Stack/AT parking lot. Follows a pleasant creek starting out, then some woods roads to reach the AT, heading to the Toms Run Shelter. Second day would return along Sunset Rocks, making a side trip to Camp Michaux. Then the maze of trails on the lower slopes of Big Hill, a short trek along Mountain Creek, and then back to PGFSP via the Community Service and Creek Trs.
The second would be a loop from Caledonia SP. Take the AT north (and violating the avoidance of big climbs) past Quarry Gap to the upper junction of Hosack Run. Head down to Greenwood Tr, take that to some of the shared use trails to the reservoir. Head around the Beaver Tr, and a second trail on the north shore. On Abigail Tr a short distance, then wind down to Long Pine Run on the "Wrong Trail." Cross rt 233, take a trail paralleling the Conocacheague and then the drained reservoir. A choice of trails await getting back to Caledonia.
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ki0eh
Forum Elder
Posts: 196 
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Post by ki0eh on May 13, 2018 18:41:40 GMT -5
Early July should be a great time for rhododendron bloom in the Quarry Gap area - usually close to the 4th (when the Harrisburg hiking club SATC for many years scheduled a rhododendron hike there), though perhaps later this year along with everything else bloom-wise so far. The former Camp Michaux reveals much more of its secrets in late winter before leaf-out - you will see far less there in early July due to all the brush. A nit, but of some importance to avoid confusion: Pine Grove FURNACE, PA (a location with a postal address of Gardners, PA) is a different place along PA's Appalachian Trail than Pine Grove, PA (a town of sufficient significance to have two I-81 interchanges). (Once you've mastered this, then go out to Pine Grove Mills along the Mid State Trail...  ) |
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Post by hoosier on May 14, 2018 8:47:20 GMT -5
Picture taken at daybreak this past Saturday (05/12/2018) from the Beaver Trail (Long Pine reservoir)mentioned in Aegis III option 2 hike. This is looking out over the lake at Rocky Knob Peak  |
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