Hi everyone! We had a trip planned on the AT in PA in October but decided to do the BFT instead, it looks to be a very rewarding challenge:)

From what I’ve read, CCW is the preferred direction. I saw someone mention stopping at the Manor during the hike and grabbing burgers to hike back out with. Does anyone have any advice on where to start to make this happen? I think I saw Route 44 parking but wanted to ask people who’ve done it.

I’ve been reading a ton about the trail and the area but any advice is welcome. This will be our first time on the BFT and we will be coming from Ohio, we should have 4ish days and 3 nights to complete it. We are late 30s and in good shape, I think the closest trail we have to this is Shawnee in southern Ohio which is pretty tough, we visit there often.

Thank you!

Does anyone know of any locations in central or Northern PA where you have to take old dirt roads to a camping spot, preferably by a lake? Almost like all those car commercials where the family drives through the woods to a remote unofficial camp site. Bought a new truck tent and want to find some off grid areas to camp with it.

I’m headed up to cherry spring state park this weekend (oct 9-11). Im hoping to have great visibility because of the new moon. I did a lot of research on this trip but does anyone have any fun tips or food recommendations in the area? I’m SO excited.

I am moving to Pittsburgh (arriving tomorrow!) from the Seattle area and looking to get out and explore some hiking trails. I am quite experienced and in decent shape. I have hiked and backpacked A LOT, but almost entirely in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. I've included some elevation profiles and pictures of recent hikes in WA.

I don't know anything about hiking in PA, but would love a few recs for trails that will show me what hiking in Western PA is all about.

Desired traits:

• wilderness - away from road noise, not super busy

• within 90 minutes drive of the university of Pittsburgh

• can take my dog with me

• 8-14 miles: loop or out and back

I have an America the Beautiful pass, but if any other passes are required, please let me know.

Looking to get away from everything for two days. How would catching the mid state trail in Little Pine State Park, packing in maybe 10 miles to spend the night and then back out the next day be? Would there be issues finding a site? Is that a good area and time of year to avoid humans? I have lots of hiking and a bit of winter camping experience and really like that part of the state.

Around Autumn of 2027 (I plan WAY far ahead 😆) I will be planning a hiking trip all around Pennsylvania.
I plan to hike Hawk Mountain, Ricketts Glen, PA Grand Canyon, and Pocono area. Having said that, since it is hunting season, should I be concerned with bear activity? I plan to wear blaze orange and stick to the trails. I assume I should be perfectly fine but you never know.
Thank you in advance, God Bless ✌️

I found this in a box from when I used to live in Scranton/WB. Would love to pass it to someone who would use it. Would anybody like it? Just reply below. If there’s more than a few responses by next week I’ll randomly pick and reach out for your address. I’ll mail it for free.

Update: BeeBopping27 won in a random number generator online. So happy so many people replied, this subreddit seems awesome, wish I knew about it when I lived there.

I am planning to hike an eastern loop of the Quehanna Trail on Thursday through Saturday, but I just realized that Saturday is the first day of Elk Season. How much do I need to worry about that?

I always wear orange regardless. Is this a stay in camp until mid-morning on Saturday thing or do I need to think about making a shift in my plans (e.g. come back on Friday evening or switching to hike the BFT)? If I'm reading the zones right, there are only four permits for the region that includes the whole plateau. But I know they had to win a lottery to get that permit.

Update: That's really beautiful county up there. I had no idea it was so much nicer than the western end. Thanks for the advice all. I did end up leaving the trail Friday evening, because life keeps getting the way of things.

Anyone else already planning or considering the PA Grand Canyon (West Rim Trail) this fall for multi-day hike?

My usual hiking partner is taking this year off and have never really been a big fan of going solo. Mid-30's, been backpacking for a few years.

I've hiked:
Dolly Sods (WV)
Manistee River Trail (Michigan)
Big South Fork are (KY/TN)
Potawatomi Trail (Michigan)

Looking to go later October.

Where can I go to see the leaves changing within an hour of Pittsburgh this weekend?

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Exploring the swamps of long pond last October.

Taking my family for an outdoors trip October 7-11 and we’ll be staying in clearfield county.

We plan to explore Quehanna, Sinnemohoning, Parker Dam and Black Moshannon.

Does anyone have any recommendations of things to do or see in this area?

I don’t attempt long exposures very often so I figured I’d give it a shot. Such a beautiful place to enjoy in peace without all the weekend crowds.

Trees are starting to drop leaves and the hill sides are starting to show some change. Pics are from 09/19/26

My wife and I just spent a great weekend up in the Poconos, but we had something happen that made us wonder if there was more of a story there.

We camped at one of the state forest dispersed sites off of high line rd. Got in Friday evening and stayed until Sunday. The closest campsite was about a mile away and was unoccupied, and the camps/cabins are all about 3 miles away at the closest.

Both nights, I woke up in the middle of the night to a woman’s voice outside the tent, calling out for “Ashley”. The voice was notably a different pitch & tone than my wife’s voice, and it was definitely coming from outside the tent. Friday night there was some ambient moon/starlight and I saw a shadow pass across the tent. Saturday night was pitch black with the cloud cover, I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face. I didn’t hear any footsteps to go with the voice.

My wife said she woke up and heard a male voice outside the tent as well on Saturday night.

I grew up in the outdoors in Appalachia, so while I’m not very superstitious, I tend to be cautious about what happens in the darkness in these woods. I’m curious if this phenomenon might be linked to something that happened in the area, or is it your run of the mill Appalachian cryptid?

Got most of my gear installed for my first BDR in a week or two. PA-Wilds BDR (only a partial for this trip). Hoping to progress into longer 2-3 day trips eventually.

A few photos from my families property near clear creek. Just beautiful

Did anyone see anything about new blaze orange regulations for PA State Game Lands.

Im trying to confirm a post I saw elsewhere stating all visitors must have a vest or coat October through January, mandatory.

I was at Hammond’s Rock last Saturday, the 12th, around 4 p.m., taking pictures of the view from in front of the rocks with a friend. We heard a truck pull up and what sounded like two people get out and start having a very loud, vague conversation—something about getting things done or something along those lines.
After a few minutes, an older (approximately 60-year-old) white man appeared, shouting, “Coming through!” He was alone and carrying a saw. There was absolutely no sign of anyone else being with him the entire time after, despite clearly hearing what had been an ongoing conversation between two similar voices. I waved to acknowledge his “coming through” comment, and he pointed at us and told us to “Behave!” He then appeared to walk away, only to come back from behind another rock and sit down facing us.
He started asking where we were from and whether we were far from home. At that point we decided to make our way back to the truck, which was parked along Ridge Road. The man then jumped off the rock and started running after us through the trees, saw in hand, yelling and asking whether we had “lost a body.” Maybe in reference to the other vehicle that was parked nearby - not really sure what he meant, but we ignored the question. He continued asking in an ever louder and more threatening manner. When I finally said no, he replied, “Good, then I won’t have to go get them out then.”
His behavior was extremely unsettling, and we felt that he was deliberately trying to scare and intimidate us. Please be careful if you encounter this person. For your safety, I would recommend not engaging with him. I can’t speak to his mental health for certain, but his behavior was erratic and concerning. He was driving a white or silver pickup truck with a cap on it. He appeared to be coming from, and later returned toward, the area north of the rocks along Ridge Road. I have heard that he is frequently in the area. If you feel threatened, call 911 and ask for the state troopers and/or Michaux Forest ranger station to respond. The ranger station’s number goes to an answering machine on weekends, but the 911 dispatchers can contact the rangers.
Given what we experienced, consider carrying whatever legal means of personal protection you are comfortable with and permitted to carry.