Backpacking, Hiking & Winter Camping with Snow in Pennsylvania's Hammersley Wild Area.
https://drprepare.com/178whportable...
Use code ST10DP to get 10% off the Dr Prepare 178Wh Portable Power Station
Sponsored by #DrPrepare
For this early December backpacking trip, I set out to hike a 3 day, 20ish mile loop in the mountains of north central Pennsylvania. I created my loop by using a portion of the Susquehannock Trail System, some offtrail bushwhacking, and a ridge hike along the adjacent Twin Sisters Trail.
My weather conditions were forecasted to have some fresh snow, temps mostly in the 20’s and a potential for freezing rain as the temps rose further into the trip. While this was a pretty wide range of possible conditions, it also wasn’t terribly cold, so I was still able to pack somewhat ultralight and minimal. My camping target for day one was down in the hollow along the banks of Hammersley Fork. On day two I planned to head up to the ridge and camp in the area devoid of trees due to a forest fire back in 1962. Due to the potential lack of trees, I swapped out my typical hammock setup for a single person tent and sleeping pad to keep my campsite options flexible.
For an easier read and downloadable GPS data, check out my full blog post
https://www.sintax77.com/wintercampi...
The Hammersley Wild Area is the most remote swath of public land in Pennsylvania, with some spots over 5 miles from the nearest road, which combined with the season, I hoped would make for some rather secluded camping. Conversely, this area is also a haven for public hunting, so I made sure to wear some blaze orange and remain somewhat quiet and on the trail until I got further away from any road access, as it was the middle of PA deer hunting season.
Trailhead: Susquehannock Trail Crossfork Parking
75 Fire House Ln, Cross Fork, PA 17729
41°28'54.8"N 77°49'06.6"W
Trails Used Day 1
Road Hike back over the bridge on Main Street
Left (south) on Rt 144 (you’ll see orange blazes along the road)
Just after Windfall Rd, hop the guard rail and follow the blazes into the woods
Continue on Susquehannock Trail (STS)
Camp along the STS and Hammersley Fork at a site known as “the pool”
This is a large established campsite with a firepit, reliable water, and room for several tents or hammocks.
Day 1 Mileage: 6.6 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,380′
Day 1 Gross Descent: 1,114'
Trails Used Day 2
Continue north on the STS
Leave trail to the right (east) to begin a bushwhack up to Elk Lick Knob
This is a random bushwhack. There is no established path, markings or indicators, but I began about one mile after passing the Bunnel Ridge Trail. I crossed Hammersley Fork and headed uphill when I was almost directly adjacent to Elk Lick Knob to the east.
Intersect with the Twin Sisters Trail and turn right (south)
Camp in woods along TS trail
The clearing I hoped to camp in ended up being covered in dense underbrush and saplings, so I cut my losses and headed further into the woods. With the approaching darkness I was unable to scout around for too long, but it’s entirely possible that there are some nicer camping spots out on the bald.
Day 2 Mileage: 6.6 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,381′
Day 2 Gross Descent: 454′
Route Day 3
Continue south on the TS Trail
Straight (south) on STS
Follow road back to parking
Day 3 Mileage: 6.3 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 314′
Day 3 Gross Descent: 1,505′
Total Mileage: 19.5 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 3,075′
Cheeseburger Time TShirts https://sintax77officialmerchstore...
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear
ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack http://bit.ly/2Sq1FPH
Dutchware Pack Cover http://bit.ly/2O8N7AL
Outdoor Vitals 1p Tent https://bit.ly/3r4nhDI
Outdoor Vitals Storm Loft 15° Mummy Pod
Outdoor Vitals Adventure Jacket, Loftek version
Amok Fjol XL Winterlight Sleeping Pad https://bit.ly/3r4tYWm
DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove
Vargo Windscreen https://amzn.to/3BPUOFl
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker https://amzn.to/30S3rxm
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot https://amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork https://amzn.to/3lBguOW
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets https://amzn.to/3uYZ1TP
Marmot Eclipse Hardshell Jacket https://amzn.to/3shSHpd
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants https://amzn.to/3zJzzVW
RevolutionRace Men’s Norwand Pants https://amzn.to/3G53ief
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp https://amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Silky F180 Folding Saw https://amzn.to/3Fi6F0l
Benchmade Bugout Folding Knife https://amzn.to/2JVfBS5
Casio ProTrek F30 Smartwatch https://amzn.to/3dtY7Xj
Packit Gourmet Backpacking Meals https://www.packitgourmet.com/
Spot X Satellite Messenger https://amzn.to/3adSjBr
GoPro Hero 8 Black https://amzn.to/2D8n6lL
GoPro Shorty Tripod Grip https://amzn.to/2MPhGOM