First Hike of 2017

2017 Dayhike in Quehanna Wild

I finally got out for a day-hike this spring. And once again I went to PA for my first outing. This hike was in the Quehanna Wild as it contains lots of possibilities for loops and combining trails unlike many other locations. I started out on the Sevinsky Trail which starts on the Wycoff Run Road that connects the main road in Sinnehoming and the Quehanna Highway. Its a narrow twisty road, at least its paved, without many places to pull-off and its the most stressful part of a drive to the Quehanna Wild area. But at least this hike did not require driving its entire 10 mile distance. The Sevinsky Trail starts on the north side of a guardrail opposite a small pullout on the road that is about 1-2miles inside the Wild area itself.

Start of the Sevinsky Trail

It was soon obvious that the trail does not see much foot traffic, at least since last fall, as there was many small limbs and sticks across the trail. I cleared these as best as I could (I prefer to take this on for my part for trail maintenance, so it was no problem) although it did slow me down on the hike.

After a while I reached the junction with the  Gore Draft Trail. It looked interesting, but I stayed on the Sevinsky Trail.

Intersection of Gore Draft Trail and Sevinsky Trail

The continuation of the Sevinsky Trail was a little confusing here. I am guessing most hikers took the Gore Draft Trail from here, but I don't know for sure. Anyway, I continued on the trail as it gradually gained elevation. It was also following the stream (Gore Draft) fairly closely. And due to recent rain the stream was fairly full and warranted a picture (below).

A small waterfall on Gore Draft

There were several waterfalls like this, but I only took a photo of this one. After a while the trail veered off the stream as it gained elevation and approached the plateau. Being early-mid spring the trees were mostly leafless (the leaves were just a bit past bud stage but not yet fully out) so with the gray sky and cool conditions it felt more like fall. The ascent moderated (it was never steep to begin with) to almost nothing so I knew the trail was approaching its junction with the Foley Trail.

Intersection of Sevinsky Trail and Foley Trail

Looking at the map I decided I had time to hike to the Hoover Road end of the Foley Trail before turning around. It took maybe 15-20 minutes to reach Hoover Road. In the meantime, the trail, on what appeared to be foot-way suitable to cross-country skiing (as many of the trails in this area are), crossed a pipeline right-of-way and electric line right-of-way in quick succession. At the junction with Hoover Road (a narrow dirt road here) there was a parked car. I thought then it might be another hiker, but I believe now it was someone inspecting the electric line (or pipeline).

From here I turned around (I had planned to eat my lunch here but the presence of the car and the possibility that someone might return to it at anytime made me re-think that plan). I returned down the Foley Trail the way I came until I passed the last right-of-way. I then stopped for lunch and looked at the map. I decided I had time to make a bit of a loop out of the hike rather than going back the  same way I came in. After lunch I followed the Foley Trail back to the intersection with the Sevinsky Trail and went straight (staying on the Foley Trail).

Eventually the Foley Trail reached the Gore Vista  Trail (see previous entry for my hike on the Gore Vista Trail). Needless to say, I stayed on the trail I was on.

Intersection with Gore Vista Trail

 Soon the trail reached the Cut-off Trail and then the Bailey Log Trail (see previous entry for a description and photos of those trails). It was starting to mist at this point which made things damp and eventually I put on my rain poncho to stay dry and a bit warmer. From the Bailey Log Trail I reached the junction with the Gore Loop Trail (I had decided from the map that taking the second intersection would give me the shortest route back). The second intersection with the Loop Trail actually required me to be on the PowerLine Loop Trail for a couple of minutes (see entry for previous hike on the PowerLine Loop).

Intersection with Gore Loop Trail (sign is off post and on ground)

 I took the Loop Trail which was also decent foot-way and after about 10 minutes reached the intersection with the Gore Draft Trail. The Gore Draft Trail is basically another link between the Draft and the plateau trail system.

Intersection of Gore Loop Trail (red blazed)  and Gore Draft Trail (yellow blazed)

 The Gore Draft Trail quickly starts downhill and gets steeper. With the wet conditions it took some care to get down the trail without slipping and falling although I have been on worse. There was one bad blow-down across the trail that took a bit of bushwhacking to get around and back on the trail. After awhile the grade moderated to a slight incline and then reached a stream. The water was deep enough and wide enough to make a dry crossing a challenge. I ended up walking across a downed tree that was across the stream. It was wide enough to be reasonably easy to walk on. Just a bit later there was another stream (Gore Draft is in two parts here). I had to find another place to cross, but was able to find stones close enough together to make it across okay. I am sure in summer such a crossing would be a no-brainer, but today it was more interesting.

Another waterfall near the Gore Draft Trail

The Sevinsky Trail - Gore Draft Trail intersection (again)

Finally, I was back at the Sevinsky Trail. Heading back to the trail-head from here was easier as I had already cleared the debris from the trail on the way in. Soon enough I reached my truck and competed the hike. If not for the gray and wet conditions this would have been a perfect hike.