Mid State Trail, Everett to Loysburg
May 18, 2015 21:31:37 GMT -5
Post by AegisIII on May 18, 2015 21:31:37 GMT -5
Photos
Back in the beginning of January, I met up with ki0eh for a Mid State Trail hike, from Everett to Yellow Creek/Loysburg. We met at the New Frontiers Restaurant, and immediately dropped off my vehicle at the Yellow Creek bridge trailhead. We then shuttled down to the small SGL lot near Blue Triangle timber on the north side of Everett. About 1-2 inches of snow were present. The road to the trailhead (assuming one does not go through the one lumber yard) would be good for all vehicles when snow is not present.
We started by climbing Tussey Mountain. The trail is well blazed, and the grade was fairly gentle most of the way. Some short rocky stretches. It had seen no use in the snow before us. At the top we reach the junction with an older branch of the Mid State Trail (both official); no trail sign here and the route we took may be missed.
We then started the trail along the top of Tussey Mountain. It is very well blazed, and in reasonable shape except for many branchy blowdowns, probably seasonal. The trail undulates fairly often. Some stretches are dirt, while there are other stretches being rocky; sometimes ankle biters, sometimes above or below ledges, sometimes tilted layers. Going was often slow. Two stretches, one trying to make it over (or under) a natural "rock wall," and another traversing a short tilted rock field, were especially trying in the snow; I suspect both would be easy otherwise. We took a stop near the Dunkard Path, before starting a bouldery climb as the mountain rose ahead of us.
The trail along this higher level of the mountain was easier, and generally not rocky. We were able to go slightly faster. Eventually we found ourselves making the steep descent off the west side of the mountain. The trail overshoots the descent and thus a brief needless uphill section follows (and it looks like using a woods road would have fully avoided this), and then we made it to the game lands road under tall pines, and a short break.
The road walking was much easier; good since it was later than we wanted it to be. It had seen use by other people walking, and vehicle tracks meant the snow was no longer an issue. Even after we passed a closed gate tracks by a PGC vehicle kept up for most of the rest of the hike, as we caught up time, hoping to finish before dark. Eventually, the vehicle tracks ended and then the MST narrowed to a woods road as we made our way onto a little ridge between two hollows, before switchbacking down into the eastern one. We found the trail to the flag and overlook. Very obvious. Were it not for the fact that it was very close to sunset, we would have headed up there. Instead we followed the Mid State Trail down into Loysburg Gap and Yellow Creek. We crossed on the sturdy new bridge, and then took the access trail back to the parking area.
It's a nice area; there are some good views and rock formations, and Yellow Creek and the gap is scenic. It'd be better without snow, obviously. I do think that in the area, the MST in SGL 97 (south of Everett) is much nicer view wise than this section north of Everett.
Back in the beginning of January, I met up with ki0eh for a Mid State Trail hike, from Everett to Yellow Creek/Loysburg. We met at the New Frontiers Restaurant, and immediately dropped off my vehicle at the Yellow Creek bridge trailhead. We then shuttled down to the small SGL lot near Blue Triangle timber on the north side of Everett. About 1-2 inches of snow were present. The road to the trailhead (assuming one does not go through the one lumber yard) would be good for all vehicles when snow is not present.
We started by climbing Tussey Mountain. The trail is well blazed, and the grade was fairly gentle most of the way. Some short rocky stretches. It had seen no use in the snow before us. At the top we reach the junction with an older branch of the Mid State Trail (both official); no trail sign here and the route we took may be missed.
We then started the trail along the top of Tussey Mountain. It is very well blazed, and in reasonable shape except for many branchy blowdowns, probably seasonal. The trail undulates fairly often. Some stretches are dirt, while there are other stretches being rocky; sometimes ankle biters, sometimes above or below ledges, sometimes tilted layers. Going was often slow. Two stretches, one trying to make it over (or under) a natural "rock wall," and another traversing a short tilted rock field, were especially trying in the snow; I suspect both would be easy otherwise. We took a stop near the Dunkard Path, before starting a bouldery climb as the mountain rose ahead of us.
The trail along this higher level of the mountain was easier, and generally not rocky. We were able to go slightly faster. Eventually we found ourselves making the steep descent off the west side of the mountain. The trail overshoots the descent and thus a brief needless uphill section follows (and it looks like using a woods road would have fully avoided this), and then we made it to the game lands road under tall pines, and a short break.
The road walking was much easier; good since it was later than we wanted it to be. It had seen use by other people walking, and vehicle tracks meant the snow was no longer an issue. Even after we passed a closed gate tracks by a PGC vehicle kept up for most of the rest of the hike, as we caught up time, hoping to finish before dark. Eventually, the vehicle tracks ended and then the MST narrowed to a woods road as we made our way onto a little ridge between two hollows, before switchbacking down into the eastern one. We found the trail to the flag and overlook. Very obvious. Were it not for the fact that it was very close to sunset, we would have headed up there. Instead we followed the Mid State Trail down into Loysburg Gap and Yellow Creek. We crossed on the sturdy new bridge, and then took the access trail back to the parking area.
It's a nice area; there are some good views and rock formations, and Yellow Creek and the gap is scenic. It'd be better without snow, obviously. I do think that in the area, the MST in SGL 97 (south of Everett) is much nicer view wise than this section north of Everett.
