The Phoenix Backpacking Club

The Long Trail is a hiking trail located in Vermont, running the length of the state. It is the oldest long distance trail in the United State. It was constructed between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club. The Long Trail runs 273 miles through the state of Vermont. It starts at the Massachusetts state line (at Clarksburg, Massachusetts), and runs north to the Canada - US border (in Jay, Vermont).

This "footpath in the wilderness" climbs rugged peaks and passes pristine ponds, alpine sedge, hardwood forests, and swift streams. This trip is for experienced backpackers and is an advanced level hiking.

The Plan:

Day 1, July 12 meet at Lincoln Gap and shuttle car(s) to VT 103, hike 7.1 miles to Governor Clement Shelter
Day 2, July 13, hike 12 miles to Tucker-Johnson Tenting area
Day 3, hike 11.3 miles to David Logan Shelter
Day 4, hike 12.6 miles to Sucker Brook Shelter
Day 5, hike 7.6 miles to Boyce Shelter
Day 6, hike 9.5 miles to Cooley Glen Shelter
Day 7, hike 4.7 miles to Lincoln Gap

*schedule & daily milage could change slightly

I want to thank Two Tents for coming up with this trip idea some years ago.

We are headed to The Allegheny Front trail, NE quadrant, in search of wild blueberries. Tasty and delicious. This wont be a high miles hike. At most 5 to 7 miles on Saturday and less on Sunday. 15 miles total for the weekend if that. It's all about the berries. I have done this trip before and remember where we found berries in the past. Friday we will need to shuttle one or more vehicles to the parking lot at the junction of the east loop of the trail and route 504. Please arrive at our gathering location on time. Once we have the shuttle done, we will hike N a small distance (about 2 miles as the crow flies) on the Shingle Mill trail to our intended campsite (40.9397, -78.0606). Then relax, look for a swimming hole, take a swim, take a nap.

On Saturday, we will continue N on the Shingle Mill trail and then turn right on the main AFT when we reach the junction. We will head at a leisurely pace to our intended camp (40.9582, -77.9847). As we hike we will be looking for the berries. We will stop to collect them. More than once; more than twice. Bring a rigid container to put them in so they are not crushed. You are allowed to sample as you pick. Our goal is to have berries for a desert on Saturday and for pancakes on Sunday. Bacon is needed. Yum! Potentially participants can help carry the cooking gear and mixes, so be ready to stash an item or two in your pack. If we decide to do a group cook breakfast, you may not need to pack a breakfast for Sunday morning unless you don't want bacon and pancakes, or you want to augment them with a personal favorite.

On Sunday, after breakfast has been fully enjoyed, we will continue hiking clockwise on the AFT a few miles until we reach our shuttled vehicle(s) on route 504. We will then bring everyone back to the gathering spot where we met on Friday and head for home.

LNT. Pack it in/pack it out. Only firewood on the fire. You need a Waiver on file or bring it with you. On Friday we will meet at the parking lot above the beach at Moshannon State park. The beach and parking lot are on Pa route 504 (40.9592, -77.9844). This trip is OK for beginners. Contact me if you need to on any other details.

This is an opportunity to introduce children to the world of backpacking. A hands on opportunity to really backpack, not on a screen, but real life backpacking. We will be camping where I run the Winter 101 camp out. For those not familiar, it's off the Tanbark Trail along East Hickory Creek. Lots of room to run and of course get wet in the creek, which is about knee deep.

The hike to the campsite is less than a mile. Up a small incline, through a short crevasse, then down to East Hickory Creek. We don't cross the creek, we turn left at the Creek and the camp spot is few hundred yards or so along the bank. Not used very much so wood is always pretty easy to obtain.

The trip is open to all members of Phoenix. 7 will be the maximum number of members on the trip. Bring your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. Because this is not a trip to an amusement park or the beach, but an actual back packing trip, this is a one on one trip. In other words, one child per adult. If you bring your spouse or significant other, then 2 children.

No dogs on this trip. No exceptions.

Children must be capable of hiking 1 mile with a small backpack with some of their equipment, such as extra clothes, sleeping bag or your tent.

All campers must have signed waiver on record with the club or fill one out at the Trailhead. I will have them available when you arrive.

Saturday July 26, 11 AM. Meet at Hickory Creek Wilderness parking lot. Located on SR 2002 near Hearts Content recreation area. Fill out waivers, get ready. We should start hiking about 11:30. Spend the night.

Sunday, July 27, Breakfast and start the hike out by 9:30

LNT principals to be followed. Leave your politics home. No alcohol. No smoking or vaping. ONLY WOOD in the fire, Pack it in, pack it out ( including all paper and plastic). Children should have extra set of clothes and some sort of shoes for the creek.

Please answer questions if you sign up. Also posted for Hopeless Wanderers

With summer slowly winding down, a Kayak trip is a great way to move into the fall season. This trip will run from Franklin, Pa. to Emlenton, Pa., a distance of about 33 miles. There are no hazards on the trip, some riffles and some "faster" water. Expect some long pools of slow water.

Saturday, August 16th: 8:30 AM I will need two vehicles to meet me in Emlenton, Pa. Exit # 42 to set shuttle up. I will have a small trailer to load your Kayaks onto.

Saturday 10 AM : Meet at boat launch, Elk Street, Franklin, Pa. We should be on the river by 10:30. On the way to Danner Rest Stop, our overnight destination, we pass under the Belmar Bridge. The bridge was built in 1907 as a connector between New York and Chicago. It ultimately wound up as a main transporter of coal from the region to Ashtabula on Lake Erie.

We will pass by Indian God Rock, which is located on the left bank, about 9 miles south of Franklin. There are 50 Native American carvings on the rock made between 1200 and 1750 AD.

We overnight in Clear Creek State Forest at the Danner rest area. There are picnic tables and a pit toilet. There is also a spring that has a posting that says the water does not meet DCNR standards, so filtering is advised. There are no fees for this campground. About 14 miles for the day.

Sunday, August 17th: Hoping for an early start ( before 9) as we have a 19 mile day ahead. We will lunch at Fisherman's Cove, where, if you want a shower, there is a waterfall a short distance away. Expect a few long slow sections on this leg of the trip and a few faster sections. We should reach Emlenton about 2PM. Take out is on the left under a tall bridge. We then take drivers back to Franklin to get their cars.

All Kayaks must be registered in your home state or have a PA. issued launch permit.

An audible device (athletic whistle) must be on every boat.

Bring at least a 25' "throw" rope to be used to assist a person that might be in trouble.

PFD's to be worn.

BWI (Boating While Intoxicated) is enforced by the PA Fish Commission, so please, alcohol in moderation at camp only.

Bring a trash bag to put your own trash in and any trash found on the river.

LNT principals apply. Pack it in, pack it out.

There will be a question, "Are you willing to shuttle drivers and meet at Emlenton Saturday morning at 8:30?".

Call me, after you sign up, at (724)718-3434 if you want to use a canoe and I will make sure there are accommodations for the second person in the canoe.