Fall Hiking Season

 Here it is,The kids are back in school,I am back into classes myself, and fall season is right on our backdoors.

 I was just sitting here thinking of my trip earlier this year(Quehanna Trail Pa) and was thinking how beautiful the same hills and valleys would look with the fall leaves and the bright blue skies,no clouds, and the sun is shining full force,with the air cool and crisp.

 I just love hiking in the woods and hearing the crunching of leaves under my feet and the sounds of wildlife doing their thing,getting ready for the long and cold hard winter that is sneaking upon them also. The Buck whitetails grunting for a challange from the other males and seeking a mate is awesome.

 I had many wildlife just come right up to me like the squirrels(they are so funny watching them chase each other),Turkey’s waking up from their night roosting and all with the golden morning sun coming up with a hot coffee in hand,Life doesn’t get better then this.

 One of my favorite things as a kid, My family would get up very early on Saturday Morning and we drive for hours and by the time the sun was coming up we already be in our favorite section of West Virginia just gathering up the beautiful scenery and visit many small farmer markets and the usual tourist trap and we might stop somewhere and get hot apple cider and on of my favorite places to go was Spruce knob Mountain Wv and when we get to the top it looked like you could see forever and up there you can see several states from up there.

Quehanna Trail,Pa

 I left for vacation on the 28 of june,2008 and arrived at the Parker Dam State Park. As I drove around the park and noticed the trailhead was full of cars so I went ahead and set up camp,before a major T storm hit at the public campground,so he could find me.

 Day 1,Jeff and I started on a bright and beautiful sunday 29 of june 2008 at the trail head about 7:30 am and went counterclockwise. We cross several roads and seen some vistas (which were growing over) and lots of newts.We chased a flock of turkeys out of our way also. The Terrain itself wasn’t too bad. But about 2 miles from camp it just poured and poured and we were soaked. Finally got to camp and we gathered some firewood and tried to dry our boots by the fire. with no such luck. The day put us at 15 miles. near the old log splash dam.

 Day 2 june 30 2008. Mon morning we get up eat a big breaksfast and put on moleskins on our tenderspots before hiking the trail. The trail wasn’t to bad at first ,but it got so annoying that i had to stop and wring out my socks and keep replacing moleskins. I guess Jeff was having the same problem cause I finally caught up to him near wild cat rocks ( a spot were three wildcats were shot in1916). We met for lunch at the fisher rock area at an established camphouse. I was glad the owners weren’t there. We was alittle confused cause of the two bridges that were close by but we went on and that hill coming out of that hollow was a pain in the arse. Butt cramping,legs wobbling,and sweating like a pig. Of course Jeff went on ahead to replace my map that I lost on the trail and of course were none. After going through several miles of open and dense woods, It was nice being able to see a valley even if it was a power line. We get about 2 miles from camp and guess what? It rained. This area is were I saw a black bear running up the power line. Of course going throu thick laurel and blueberry patchs, I was singing to him to let him know where I was’. We finally made it to piper reserviour camp. a nice place along the dam,just to watch the fish swimming around. We almost had our boots dried.

 Day 3 The Hill from hell first thing in the morning. Butt cramping,legs wobbling,and just gasping for breath mad up that hill in about 45 miles,finally made it to a clearing and that reminded me of the canadian tundra area. Elk Tracks were everywhere. and a remains of an old stone log home. Climbing up three springs hollow my feet were getting so freaking sore and I was totally getting bummed out,knowing I will not be able to finish the trail and going up the last big hill before the sinneahoning trail. I kept falling and slipping and knowing this is not safe. So the decision was made to call the trip off. I finally make it to the 40.2 mile mark   and lucky the forestry people were happening by and ask us were we were heading and they said thats along ways to go ,hop in and we’ll take you back.

  After a long night sleep and some food in the belly besides dehydrated food I finally feel better morally. Even thou I am disappointed in not completeing the trail,but I did get 40 miles with horrible blisters on my feet and some of the hollows were steepier then I thought they be. Overall the trip was geourgous and only saw three people at a trailhead on the whole trail. I am difintily going back to finish the last 32 mile.

Raccoon Creek State Park Loop Hike

  I went with a group of hikers from an backpacking forum who wanted to hike this park 19 miles. We was going to spend the night at a shelter the night before,but a few of us couldn’t make the schedule time. So we all decided to meet at the Parks Office around 8a.m.

 I think I was the one,who traveled the farthest to get to the meeting place,while another had a little shorter drive. We all finally met up and discussed our hiking plans and route. while the rain just stopped from the night before.

 The time we left the skies were cloudy and the air was a little chilly. As we started up the trail from route 18 and pasted the mineral springs house. The sun finally broke through the clouds. The trail was pretty sloppy and the streams were almost overflowing their banks. I finally had to put away my fleece since I was getting hot by then

 We walked until about noonish which put us at 10 miles and we ate lunch at the soiux camping area and refilled our water bottles. About a few more miles we did run into snake,which smiled pretty for us and left as quietly as he came.

 We finally made it to the lake and had another little break and we saw a few hikers coming up the hill and alot of people fishing.

 After we cross the park road and walked a few more miles along the pine forest section we ran into a few more hikers, They were in training for another big trip they had planned.

 This section is my favorite section cause of the pine trees and the large anthills that are everywhere,along the xcountry ski area. some of the anthills were at least 4-5 feet high.

 we finally made back to our cars ,happily tired and the boxer that was with us the whole trip,looked as tired as the rest of us.

 The Park itself is a wonderful park with lots to do and they have a public beach area,picnic tables all over the place and the campsites were generally spread out. I would recommend the BP shelters if you want to do an overnight and they are kinda out of the way of the general public. I highly recommend this park either as a day hike or an overnighter.