Bald Eagle State Forest in a RAM or 2

[Clifford Zwiercan]

Awesome. Thanks @Clifford Zwiercan

I take my truck on tight trails often. Sometimes I get real tight between trees, that isn't fun...but branches or bushes are fine.

If I head out there this weekend I’ll let you know. Maybe take some pictures.

 

[Clifford Zwiercan]

Loyalsock is another state forest that is beautiful. Allegheny is another one that is nice. Alot to see in PA.

 

[DevilDodge]

We are heading to the children's museums in Bloomsburg and Lewisburg sometime soon.

Will hopefully get a chance to check these campsites out.

 

[MOAK]

Nice trip and you have chosen some worthwhile tracks to explore. The Paddy Mountain Rd is well worth checking out. We were up there a few weeks ago, I didn't have my chain saw with me but be sure to carry a good axe. This time of year, quite a few trees may be felled over the trail. I usually have my chainsaw with us. Be prepared for lots of pinstriping. Have fun !!

 

[DevilDodge]

Let us know the conditions of 4x4 roads.

Went up to the local trails today.

Apparently the mountain got snow that we didn't.

So, trail report. Snow on top of ice.

 

[RoadRunner]

You’ll seem to know these parks well enough. Anyone planning a long weekend trip in the next few months? I’m new to wheeling, and need to learn a bit, but looks like good times.

 

[LGlx]

You’ll seem to know these parks well enough. Anyone planning a long weekend trip in the next few months? I’m new to wheeling, and need to learn a bit, but looks like good times.

I'm planning the last weekend in Feb. I'm new as well and venturing to the unknown. Armed with map and feedback from generous folks here.

 

[DevilDodge]

Just to be sure it is understood...my trail report will be from gamelands that are southwest of Bald Eagle.

So I figured I should share a map of this area.

 

[DevilDodge]

The gamelands open up from September to February. They make for some good shakedown trips and just some quality time out doors. We try to put tires in the mud every weekend.

I am hoping to possibly scout some campsites at BESF this weekend...if the family and time cooperate.

I hope to hit Rothrock next weekend...see my thread for it for updates.

We enjoy planning trips...so will gladly help in any way I can.

 

[DevilDodge]

I GOT TIRES IN MUD/SNOW AT BESF.

More to come, when I get a chance. But here is a trail shot of the Forest roads and the opening to Duncan trail.

@LGlx Duncan trail looks like a lot of fun.

 

[riss800]

I have traveled Negro Hollow Rd and it was a fun trail. It was a little tight for my 4Runner but definitely manageable. Ithaca Raines a lot the week before I traveled it so there were lots of puddles and a mud hole to get through. Didn’t have any trouble but was glad to have a friend along just in case. Might have turned around if I was solo. Dunken trail is on my list to do as well in Bald Eagle SF but haven’t gotten to it yet. When I did my last trip up there I started at RT 80 and worked my way south.

 

[DevilDodge]

@riss800 is that Negro hollow rd in the pics?

It seems that coming into the Mill Run rd exit of 80 and then heading south is probably the easiest and quickest way into the forest for someone who is coming to the area via interstate 80.

There is gas to be had on 80 or in the little towns on route 192.

Forest Hill has gas on route 192 which is a straight shot too on the trails I took today...if one would find they need gas but missed the opportunity on 80.

 

[riss800]

@riss800 is that Negro hollow rd in the pics?

It seems that coming into the Mill Run rd exit of 80 and then heading south is probably the easiest and quickest way into the forest for someone who is coming to the area via interstate 80.

There is gas to be had on 80 or in the little towns on route 192.

Forest Hill has gas on route 192 which is a straight shot too on the trails I took today...if one would find they need gas but missed the opportunity on 80.

The first picture is Negro Hollow Rd the second is a different road at an overlook we stopped at. I need to look over my gpx track from that day to see where the second picture was. I will share the rout I took once I get them out of Gaia. Here is another from Negro Hollow of my friends Jeep.

 

[DevilDodge]

Trip report. Objective was to show the family what a motorized campsite was. We were in Lewisburg, PA at the childrens museum. I set the GPS to go to the town of Forest Hill. Then slowly made my way on Rt 192 until I saw Cooper Mill Rd.

Note: there are a few private lanes from Forest Hill to the forest road that look like the road we wanted.

This is the route we took. Note: I remembered to pick a color that didn't match anything on the map. I tried not to go right over the roads so they could still be seen.


Even though the local area has no snow on any paved roads and all the yards on the way were bare...the forest roads do have about 2 inches of snow/slush/ice. And they were muddy aswell.

We checked out the first vista

 

[DevilDodge]

The intersection to turn to site 8


The trail right before site 8 (Stoney Gap)

 

[DevilDodge]

Site 8. Your vehicle will be right off the road. The table and fire ring set above the parking spot. Nice site for ground tent.

 

[DevilDodge]

We then drove back out to the intersection and turned right to see a bridge.

 

[DevilDodge]

Another bridge


Top mountain trail


And a management area brings us almost to site 9.

 

[DevilDodge]

Site 9 is back away from the road with room to set your vehicle up for camping in it. Also great for ground tents. Possibly a small camper trailer

 

[DevilDodge]

Then onto the next intersection and onto Duncan Trail. This is the only drivable trail we saw. It looks like fun...but it was 1738 when we got there and darkness was setting in. The family wanted to get back to the pool at the hotel, so for another day.


Looks awesome though.