Members with information/experience/interest in Pennsylvania State Forests for off pavement travel/dispersed camping

[DevilDodge]

We went for a drive through some of Moshannon State forest to scout some roads.

From 1000 feet to 1300 feet the snow is mostly melted.

Once you start getting near the 1500 feet mark...the snow on the south side of ridges is a hard pack. We set out to scout some 4x4 high clearance roads. We found them. They are open...but they have alot of snow and ice. We did not trek on them though as I know the north side was gonna be ugly...and I wasnt prepared for a recovery.

When we got to Black Moshannon State Park we dropped down in the valley of the two mountains and sure enough...ice...nice thick slippery ice.

We did check off one of the firetowers we saw on the map.

Had a great day...even though very little off pavement travel and no camping.

 

[DevilDodge]

A great example of what not to do while making video of your trail ride

 

[AppalachianGoat]

Organized Crime

 

[DevilDodge]

Spent the afternoon in Rothrock showing my wife campsites 5 and 4 and Greenwood Furnace State Park.

There is still a good bit of snow on some roads. If you are out during the daylight, you will be fine with 4wd...but id you are going to be out while the sun isnt shining...it is gonna be ice and the places it is will be very dangerous if you start sliding.

Otherwise it was a beautiful day. Can not wait to get camping and exploring more.

 

[Shokgoblr]

A great example of what not to do while making video of your trail ride

Buncha losers. Every last one of them. They got off wat too easy. They should have lost their vehicles.

 

[AppalachianGoat]

Can learn a lot from everyone you meet.

 

[DevilDodge]

Just used the new reservation system for the motorized campsites.

Made a reservation in Rothrock for middle May. This was even easier than reserve America.

Very glad they implemented this.

Now to plan for more weekends.

 

[DevilDodge]

Spent some time in Moshannon and Rothrock the last couple weekends. Looks like all the snow and ice is gone. With the rain today there is some mud though

Anxious to get camping every weekend.

 

[RBSFabXterra]

Bob Webber - Conservation Heritage

Bob Webber, a former district forester for Pennsylvania, was a special kind of outdoorsman. He even has a trail named after him! Read his story today!

paconservationheritage.org

DCNR Homepage

Learn about conservation practices on Pennsylvania public lands and outdoor recreation, education, and business opportunities in Pennsylvania state parks and forests.

www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us

Here is an interesting story. Wish I could have met him and learned from him.

Sounds like a great life

He was a great man. Met him on the Black Forest Trail in 1975. I looked him up every year after that. His cabin was 2 mountains north of my favorite camp site. I often stopped by his cabin on the way back to the trailhead. I envy him for his minimalistic approach to life.

 

[DevilDodge]

Spent the weekend in BESF. Got on some drivable trails and even did 3 miles of hiking with my 7 year old son.

Already got a permit for next weekend. Gonna do some more hiking in the area of our site and try to check off a few more drivable trails.

Waiting on maps from Buchanan SF and plan to do some scouting there.

Good times

 

[Tommo]

I have been keeping track of people who have helped with or shown interest in my ramblings and in the Pennsylvania State Forests in genral.

The 4 most popular Forests seem to be
Bald Eagle
Michaux
Moshannan
Rothrock

The Allegheny National Forest is also popular...being in the Susquehannok State Forest

My personal interest will also be in Clear Creek
Elk
Sproul
Tiadaghton
As they complete the radius around me (hoping to complete a trip through them being off pavement as much as possible)

And just for info...the rest of the State Forests
Buchanan
Cornplanter
Delaware
Forbes
Gallitzin
Loyalsock
Pinchot
Tioga
Tuscarora
Weiser
William Penn.

The list of members who have contributed to my new obsession and/or posted information I have used are as listed
@Wawa Skittletits @riss800 @LivForNov @Clifford Zwiercan @LGlx @DBAR @Pick Teej @MOAK @7mmremmag @Dustinfromohio @RoadRunner @RCooney @utherjorge @OverlandZJ @Blue Moser
So, trying to get a network of members to assist in all of our adventures I decided to make this thread. These members were the ones who seem to be most active and from the area...but there are more who are less active/out of the area who i would also like to join us.

If anyone is interested (or prefer to be removed) please post up so we can have an active list of fellow Pennsylvania explorers

I am definitely interested!!!!

 

[Tommo]

As you notice this thread, please introduce yourself and answer a few questions.

Area of interest (ie. State forest, off road park)
Type of involvement (ie. Offroading, camping, learning)
Type of vehicle
Your ability to get out (ie. Spur of the moment, only on vacation, only on planned trips)
Any areas of interest (ie. Hiking, biking, fishing)
Areas of outdoor interest (ie. Waterfalls, vistas, caves, natural phenomena)
Interest in meetups or group rides

Let us know

Thomas 2020 4Runner. Interested in it all. Keep me in the loop and I’m ready to roll

 

[DevilDodge]

4x4 High Clearance Roads/Trails Bald Eagle State Forest

North of I-80
Kammerdiner Rd...DE
Meridian Rd...DE
Red Tongue Tr
Old Tea Spring Rd

I-80 to 192
Duncan Dr
Nittany Mountain Rd...DE
Riansares Rd
Pepper Run Rd...DE

192 to 45
Negro Hollow Tr...has been renamed Sharpback Hollow

South of 45
Paddy Mtn Rd
Henstep Valley Tr
Poe Paddy Tr
Strong's Mtn Rd
Flat Hollow Rd
Longwell Draft Rd
Little Poe Tr...DE
Greens Valley Tr...DE
Kratzer Dr...DE
Red Cobbler Tr...DE
Ridge Tr...DE
Knob Ridge Rd
Old Lancaster Valley Rd...DE
Pine Ridge Tr...DE
Bull Hollow Rd...DE
High Top Dr
Middle Ridge Tr...DE
Jack's Mtn Fire Tr...DE

...DE means dead end

 

[DevilDodge]

We have been finding a lot more interesting things by getting out to the campsites and then exploring on foot.

We were bouldering in Rothrock this weekend.

Great time being immersed in nature

 

[DevilDodge]

Map and Compass for kids

Orienteering is the skill of finding your way on a course using a map and compass. Come and learn the basics of how to use a compass and how to read a topographical map, and afterwards put those skills to the test by following a short orienteering course. This program is for ages 12 and under...

events.dcnr.pa.gov

 

[DevilDodge]

Purple Lizard Maps just opened pre order for the Cook's Forest Map.

www.purplelizard.com

 

[DevilDodge]

It is getting close to my favorite time of year. Was looking at the reservation sites for both campground and forest sites.

As with everything this year they are booking up fast.

Guess I need to figure out my plans for the next 3 months

 

[Dusther210]

4x4 High Clearance Roads/Trails Bald Eagle State Forest

North of I-80
Kammerdiner Rd...DE
Meridian Rd...DE
Red Tongue Tr
Old Tea Spring Rd

I-80 to 192
Duncan Dr
Nittany Mountain Rd...DE
Riansares Rd
Pepper Run Rd...DE

192 to 45
Negro Hollow Tr...has been renamed Sharpback Hollow

South of 45
Paddy Mtn Rd
Henstep Valley Tr
Poe Paddy Tr
Strong's Mtn Rd
Flat Hollow Rd
Longwell Draft Rd
Little Poe Tr...DE
Greens Valley Tr...DE
Kratzer Dr...DE
Red Cobbler Tr...DE
Ridge Tr...DE
Knob Ridge Rd
Old Lancaster Valley Rd...DE
Pine Ridge Tr...DE
Bull Hollow Rd...DE
High Top Dr
Middle Ridge Tr...DE
Jack's Mtn Fire Tr...DE

...DE means dead end

Thank you sir!

 

[DevilDodge]

Thank you sir!

No problem

 

[DevilDodge]

Got the Cook's forest map from purple lizard today.

Lot's of country to explore up there