PA Loop Hikes

The Chuck Keiper Trail is always really rugged, but hopefully it will be in better shape this summer. For the most part, the orange blazes are pretty easy to spot so route finding shouldn't be a big deal. The real difficulty with the CKT (besides the steep climbs) are rugged footing, and narrow, overgrown trails. Here is some more info for you:

Myself and a few friends scouted the CKT and nearby trails in February and gave all pertinent info to the local forester. The forester told me that seasonal trail crews would begin work in PA on March 6th. KTA is leading a volunteer trail crew to maintain these trails June 13-18 this year, so hiking after that might be best! Here is some work that I requested be completed for this spring/summer hiking season:

-Clear all blowdowns that we noticed while scouting in February (Fish Dam, Boggs Run, Drake Hollow, etc...)
-Reblaze the Eddy Lick Loop and Little Beaver Loop, since some blazes are non almost non-existent
-Spray or cut back stinging nettle along Burns Run, Yost Run, Fish Dam, and Boggs Run
-Update orange blazing near Cranberry Swamp

Typically the difficulties in hiking the CKT during the spring are: piles of leaves covering the trail which make footing even more difficult (especially on the sidehills in the Wild Areas), wet stream crossings, ticks, and rattlesnakes (the rattlesnakes just came out in Central PA this past weekend). Also, the eastern side of the CKT can be hot with sun exposure in the spring and summer, so take a hat (or an umbrella). Summer difficulties include overgrown trails: stinging nettle can get really bad by July; blueberry, rhododendron, and Mtn. Laurel can scratch the legs up quite a bit too. I would highly suggest wearing pants and maybe even ankle gaiters if it isn't too hot. Trekking poles will help a lot too. Definitely keep an eye out for rattlesnakes!


Feel free to share the info, but if you could, please suggest that folks call the local forester (Sproul State Forest 570.923.6011 ext.107) to let them know who/when/where folks are hiking. The foresters won't give anyone a hard time and there is no fee for camping; but they will use this info to check on hikers safety, update hikers on current conditions, and track trail usage (which can then turn into more funding for trail maintenance in the future)!