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  1. #1

    Default Tuscarora Trail, North end

    Last May, I hiked this section NOBO as a 67 year old noob (and smoker) with a couple of younger fellows. We averaged about 2MPH until my knee gave out on me with about a mile to go. I've been popping glucosamine chondroitin for the last year, and am going to try it again quite soon.

    Meanwhile I have a buddy who's been section hiking the AT in PA, usually having no problem doing 15-20 mile days. He did this section yesterday, and got humbled a bit.

    Here's his video.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTbdfbOoZbA

  2. #2

    Default

    Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure to check it out.

    This trail is fascinating to me for reasons I'm not quite sure of. I imagine it's what the AT was like 30-40yrs ago.

  3. #3
    Registered User
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    07-19-2007
    Location
    Hummelstown & Tioga, PA
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    2,465

    Default

    PA has many rough trails beyond the A.T., such as the Mid State and Standing Stone. I, among some others (including a fellow who has been recognized for hiking all 800 miles of designated State Forest hiking trails in PA, from age 75 to 83), count the Tuscarora north of Hemlocks Natural Area as the roughest backpacking-route trail in PA.

    Although the Tuscarora's north and south ends aren't part of it, hiking Great Eastern Trail generally would be much more of an Earl Shaffer 1948 Walking with Spring experience, or perhaps Gene Espy. There have been only three (3) GET thru-hikers to date. (Heck, there are only 14 Mid State Trail End-to-Enders.) Going north from Narrows/Pearisburg, at least there are extant descriptions and/or maps of the entire route that you can find with some digging. http://www.gethiking.net/p/guides.html

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-16-2011
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    On the trail
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    Quote Originally Posted by ki0eh View Post
    PA has many rough trails beyond the A.T., such as the Mid State and Standing Stone. I, among some others (including a fellow who has been recognized for hiking all 800 miles of designated State Forest hiking trails in PA, from age 75 to 83), count the Tuscarora north of Hemlocks Natural Area as the roughest backpacking-route trail in PA.

    Although the Tuscarora's north and south ends aren't part of it, hiking Great Eastern Trail generally would be much more of an Earl Shaffer 1948 Walking with Spring experience, or perhaps Gene Espy. There have been only three (3) GET thru-hikers to date. (Heck, there are only 14 Mid State Trail End-to-Enders.) Going north from Narrows/Pearisburg, at least there are extant descriptions and/or maps of the entire route that you can find with some digging. http://www.gethiking.net/p/guides.html
    I would agree with every point of this post. I will likely complete the mid state this year. I have so far enjoyed that trail. The north end of the Tuscarora is probably my least favorite trail I have hiked. Between the no trespassing signs and rocks, there are many better options.
    enemy of unnecessary but innovative trail invention gadgetry

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-20-2013
    Location
    Pittsburgh
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    70
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    Default

    I agree with above comments about north end. Find my earlier posts about the TT. My wife will tell you that I was sobbing after she picked me up after a section - not true but I may have whimpered some.
    76 HawkMtn w/Rangers
    14 LHHT
    15 Girard/Quebec/LostTurkey/Saylor/Tuscarora/BlackForest
    16 Kennerdell/Cranberry-Otter/DollyS/WRim-NCT
    17 BearR
    18-19,22 AT NOBO 1562.2
    22 Hadrian's Wall
    23 Cotswold Way

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-16-2018
    Location
    Enola, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tinstaafl View Post
    Last May, I hiked this section NOBO as a 67 year old noob (and smoker) with a couple of younger fellows. We averaged about 2MPH until my knee gave out on me with about a mile to go. I've been popping glucosamine chondroitin for the last year, and am going to try it again quite soon.

    Meanwhile I have a buddy who's been section hiking the AT in PA, usually having no problem doing 15-20 mile days. He did this section yesterday, and got humbled a bit.

    Here's his video.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTbdfbOoZbA
    Yeah but it was still fun! ...I just won't do that section again, ever lol.

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