02/28/10

Trip Review

The Old Loggers Path is another one of my favorite hikes. This was our first backpacking adventure and it was a great one! This hike offers a vide variety such as: changing of forest, challenging terrain, Burnett's Ridge, Sullivan Mt., the vistas, the runs, and especially Rock Run. Rock Run is a must see day hike for another time. (This is not the same Rock Run that is on the Bucktail Path.)

I will try my best to offer a vivid review of this trail. This was my first hike and I did not own a GPS, nor did I plan on creating this site at the time. (All mile markers and track points are estimated). What I can offer you is, this is a very pretty hike through the NE section of Lycoming County. The suggested camping areas in the book that I used (50 Hike in Central PA) are good spots to camp.

The trail starts and ends in the ghost town of Masten, one of many ghost towns that remain from the logging days (late 1800's - early 1900's). Cross Pleasant Stream Rd. and ascend a very steep section, you will travel along a series of old grades, heading NW and past a dry campsite at .5m and then turn right onto Kimm Rd. (m1.68), next turn left on Ellenton Rd. at m2.05. Sharply turn left at m2.49. There is a campsite along Rock Run at mile 6.46. The first estimated campsite of this hike is a mile 10.2 which is Doe Run. We camped here and it is a very nice campsite. The next day you will continue your journey SW to Sullivan Mt., which is a steep climb to the top, but you are rewarded with a great vista of the west. Once you travel around Sullivan Mt. and reach another vista you will descent to Long Run traveling along and reaching Pleasant Stream Rd. at m16.28. Prepare to cross Pleasant Stream itself down a bit. Next, you will begin to ascend by Butternut Run. After you cross Merrell Rd. you will follow a trail along Burnett's Ridge (briars galore here!), but you will be rewarded with Sharp Top Vista at m19.45. Continuing your journey you will soon turn left onto a logging road at m20.44, shortly after this point is camp #2 along Wallis Run, another good camping spot. From here you only have 7.2 miles to go. Continue east, cross Cascade Rd., at m21.93. Sprout Point Vista will soon follow by heading off on a blue-blazed trail. It is worth the extra hike to the vista. Back track to the trail and continue heading NE a while and then NW. At m25.6 there should be water. Swing up Pleasant Run and back down following the road back to your vehicle.

Directions

From Rt.220, take Rt.87 N, Montoursville exit) for about 24 miles to the town of Hillsgrove. From this point turn onto Mill Creek Rd and drive 9.4 miles to Masten. Once you are in Masten, park at the old CCC camp off Pleasant Steam Rd. (There are other ways to get there).

Photos

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Old Logger's Path - Masten to Masten
(Masten, PA)

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