Welcome back everyone! This episode is a little bit different than my average trip video. When you backpack as much as we do, you're bound to have a couple of trips that just don't live up to the hype. This may honestly be the worst backpacking trip I've ever done.

This trip was in the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. Overall, the majority of the hiking and camping I've done in PA has been a good time. I was looking forward to doing the Tracy Ridge loop, but we were in for a heck of a surprise. Despite being only a few miles away from the Morrison Trail in ANF, this trail system was completely different, for the worse.

Overall, it was just a dull trail. The woods is your typical Eastern US green tunnel trail, but with no views and overgrown trails. The trails were so poorly maintained that I couldn't even use my trekking poles in most spots due to the foliage. I would estimate that upwards of 50% of Tracy Ridge, you'll be in contact with plants touching your legs, arms and face. Some of the other trails in the area weren't as bad. The Johnnycake trail was only about half as overgrown as Tracy Ridge, and the North Country Trail (NCT) section was mostly clear.

If I were to ever go back here for any reason (and I probably won't) I would do the NCT stretch of the trail only. The biggest downside of the trip however was the campground we stayed at. Typically, we like our dispersed backcountry sites out in the wilderness. I enjoy the privacy of hammock camping with no neighbors, no noise and no distractions. I decided to stay at a campground that is hike in or boat in only, so I figured it wouldn't be AS bad as your typical campground. I was WRONG.

Some group of jerks right next to me stayed up until 3am splitting wood with an axe, having a 45 foot high raging fire, smashing bottles and cans, and even set off a freaking firework at 3am! I've never been around a group of people that were that obnoxious on a camping trip and to be honest, it ruined the entire trip. I got ZERO sleep, so we just packed up at 4am and night hiked out of there.

Overall, I can't recommend going to this trail. The only way I'd do it again is if it was during winter where the foliage isn't an issue, and if you stayed at a backcountry site rather than a developed campground. I hope you at least find the video entertaining, but this is honestly the worst trip I've ever done.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/13624...


Take a look at my full gear list for this trip!
https://lighterpack.com/r/el2ygc