Chuck Keiper Trail: West Loop
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- Опубліковано 8 жов 2024
- The Chuck Keiper Trail is a 50 mile loop located in Sproul State Forest in Pennsylvania. The trail does feature a 2.5 mile East Branch Trail connector that bisects it into a 22 mile east loop and 32 mile west loop. The main trailhead is located at Fish Dam Wild Area along Route 144. There is ample parking in this lot. There is a smaller parking area along Route 144 on the southern end of the loop and is marked with a sign for the Chuck Keiper Trail. The Chuck Keiper Trail is marked with orange blazes. The southern section of both loops traverses more moderate terrain though some sections can be rather exposed. The northern section of both loops feature strenuous terrain as the trail dips in and out of deep gorges.
The entire western loop was well blazed but could be very overgrown in sections. Some of the most beautiful terrain is along Eddy Lick Run with several nice campsites. The section of trail along Yost Run featured some brutal side hill work but would periodically descend back to Yost Run with several campsites. A superb campsite is located in the pines above a hunting camp shortly before crossing Fisher Fire Road. There is signed spring located right next to the hunting camp. The descent down Owl Hollow was very challenging due to numerous blow downs. Climbing out of Burns Run Wild Area was also quite arduous. Traversing the Fish Dam Wild Area was more mild though the trail became very overgrown as it approached Route 144 from climbing out of the wild area.
Campsites are generally plentiful throughout as are water sources. Due to several overgrown and exposed sections, I do not recommend hiking this trail from June-September. Maps are available from the Sproul State Forest Office.
Map:
www.dcnr.pa.go...
Parking Lot:
Lat: 41.236510
Lon: -77.782301
Campsites:
Lat: 41.210128
Lon: -77.772078
Lat: 41.210128
Lon: -77.772078
Lat: 41.200132
Lon: -77.815021
Lat: 41.192475
Lon: -77.821615
Lat: 41.189421
Lon: -77.821275
Lat: 41.173230
Lon: -77.812990
Lat: 41.153446
Lon: -77.833563
Lat: 41.170266
Lon: -77.859598
Lat: 41.174378
Lon: -77.901188
Lat: 41.178923
Lon: -77.904758
Lat: 41.199524
Lon: -77.892292
Lat: 41.216397
Lon: -77.871667
Lat: 41.215321
Lon: -77.850054
Nice hike,thanks
Nice video! Plan on doing the CKT next summer. Did Quehanna last year and BFT year before that. Both similar to CKT am sure. The drafts, runs, were a ball buster on both those trails. Never saw stinging nettle before until I did BFT. Couldn’t figure out why my legs were burning so much. 🤨🤨. My favorite is Loyalsock, not a loop but shuttle available for end to end.
I would strongly advise against the CKT in the summer unless you just want to see how much suffering you can endure. The low traffic, side hills, and stinging nettle would make for a huge kick in the balls. Spring or fall and you'll find the experience much more enjoyable. I plan to complete the Loyalsock in 2021.
Cool vid. Fantastic description.
Thanks a lot!
Your channel is a great resource for PA backpackers. Nice work!
Thanks Steve. I know I try to watch videos of trails ahead of a trip to gather information so I try to make my videos informative for folks looking for trail conditions. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video and hike. Very scenic along those creeks and waterfalls. I'd love to hike it but it's already summer and looks like I'd need a weed whacker...lol. You are a true nature lover I can hear it in your voice and enthusiasm. I appreciate you documenting these trails for future hikers. Many thanks!
Thanks Scott. Yeah I'd definitely recommend avoiding this trail in the summer. I could have used a weed eater or brush hog in several sections haha. Happy hiking!
Great vid, Caleb! Three cheers for the Pocket Rocket!
Hi Caleb. I’m the old guy you bumped into on day one going the other way. Got your # out of trail register. Great video for a great trail. Keep on hiking! You’ll never get old
Awesome! It was great meeting you John. I hope you had a great hike as well!
Great video as always. We are in NW PA and spend a lot of time in the Allegheny National Forrest. Tracy Ridge, Morrison Run trails are well marked and nice for overnights. I like doing sections of the North Country Trail. We will have to plan a trip to the Chuck Keiper Trail it looks like a great time. Thanks again.
Thanks! I haven't made it up to the Allegheny National Forest yet but have looked at it. Appreciate the recommendations! Happy hiking!
Nice trip! Love that trail despite the condition of the treadway. I swore years back to never go there in July again due to the nettles though. For suggestions, you could look into the North & South Link Trail loop, connecting the BFT and Susquehannock Trail. Nice loop but short (~26 miles), would be worth tacking on a little extra BFT to get some vistas. Wouldn't suggest it in the summer either though, since it's not well traveled. In fact, Pine Creek is a good place to make your own loops up, with options like the Tiadaghton / MST (~23 miles), or linking the BFT and WRT.
Thanks a lot for the suggestions! I'll be sure to check them out. Happy hiking!
Hey Caleb! I’m leaving for the Chuck Keiper Trail this afternoon. I am doing both loops and am undecided on whether to use my tent setup or hammock setup. Only considering camping options, not comfort, which would you recommend? I’m hiking with another person with a tent.
Hi Dan. I would probably suggest a hammock. This time of year the trail will have a ton of undergrowth so depending on the site two clear tent sites might be difficult. Which direction are you hiking?
@@vistaventures1343 we are going counter clockwise. We are not getting to the trail until about 6:00 tonight so we plan on going to a site at mile 3.35. Then bang out the rest in the next 2 days so 20-ish each day. From miles 21.25 to 23.6 I see there are a string it camp sites. We hope to shoot for that area the first full day (tomorrow). By the way and if you are up for it maybe we can do a trip together?
@@backpackingadventures4813 I would certainly be interested in that. Just know I'm more of a spring/fall type hiker. Shoot me an email to vistaventures42@gmail.com. As for the CKT, I would strongly advise you wear pants as the stinging nettle will be hellish this time of year and obviously pay attention for rattlesnakes. I remember there being a nice campsite just down from the splash dam along Eddy Lick Run. I'd recommend staying there a night if you could. Another great camp just off Fisher Rd above the Second Fork that feeds Yost Run but I don't think that'll workout mileage wise for you. I hope you have a nice trip. Get ready to embrace some serious sidehilling!
Caleb I really appreciate your videos. I love North Central PA. Thanks for doing recon for me LOL. Keep up the good work. Have you ever hiked in the Adirondacks?It is beautiful up there too
Thanks Lisa! I'm happy to help recon trails for folks. I've not made it up to the Adirondacks yet. They are on my list!
Just did a couple of section day hikes along the Chuck Keiper trail on the west loop in last couple of weeks. You seem to be doing a lot of local trails near me(Clearfield county), what area are you looking to do trails in?
Hello Bill. I'm looking for any nice trails in PA, VA, and WV. I like loops if possible since it makes the logistics easier if I'm going solo.. The north central PA region is loaded with great trails but I've about exhausted them haha.
@@vistaventures1343 have you hit up Alleghany national forest at all?
@@arcana1973 I have not yet but it's on the list.
Love the vids, keep them coming. I know it's not a loop but have you ever done The Donut Hole?
I have not done that trail yet but am aware of it. Is it pretty nice?
What hammock is that?
It's a Dream Hammock Darien 11ft.