There are only 2 federally recognized wilderness areas in Pennsylvania; Hickory Creek and Allegheny Islands. Hickory Creek Trail is a 12 mile loop within the first one. Easy hiking, deep woods and we almost always get owls calling at night. It is perfect for a quick getaway. Our first trip here was in the winter. I guess we are getting old, winter trips don’t have the appeal they once did.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/allegheny/recarea/?recid=6141
2022
The trail is a lollipop, hike on the stick for 1.5 miles and then you can turn either left or right. Not sure why but we always turn left. Hickory Creek was designated a wilderness area in 1984. The wilderness act bans all motors, these designated lands are more protected than the national parks and are some of our favorite places to backpack.
I am using my vacation and taking off Fridays, use it or lose it and I am not planning to lose it. We left after lunch on Friday and planned on hiking to Coons Run for camp. A nasty storm blew through the wilderness on Thursday but the weather looked great for the weekend.
The first sign of trouble……
Uh oh, some of the trail was just trashed. Best guess a micro burst hit Thursday night and just flattened a bunch of trees. it was slow working your way around the mess and then trying to find the trail again.
Last time we camped here it was 3 degrees and there was about a foot of snow on the ground. I like this weather a lot more.
Leann is packed and ready to go the next morning.
When you have not done a trail for a long time all you have is good memories, walking this section reminded me of the not so good parts. This section is always muddy and I mean deep boot sucking mud.
Stinging Nettle, you do do not want to walk through this wearing shorts. They even got through my long pants so I had a few stings. Apparently the plant has some medicinal value in treating diabetes and osteoarthritis.
We got to Jacks Run early for our next camp, went for a few day hikes and waited for our friends to arrive.
Fowler’s Toad
Leann and Sammy crossing Jacks Run on the hike back to the car.
Venusta Orchard Spider
The Castor’s right to left: Ed, Cody, Anita and Sierra.
This woodpecker must be an engineer.
More pick up sticks on the way back to the car.
Mountain Laurel, this is the state flower of Pennsylvania but is it a flower?
After hiking this trail a lot of times we came to a conclusion: going left sucks. We will go back but turn right and hike back out the same way.
WINTER TRIP (IT’S COLD)
We went back for another winter trip and set a record for the Whytes: coldest temperature for the start of a trip: -2 YIKES
The snow sticking to the trees was spectacular
JAMIE & SAMMY
Another trip with Jamie and a young Sammy (no grey).
2011
I bought a Tilly’s hat since I heard they were so good for outdoor activities, I hated it!
Spring in the forest and the best time to backpack in Hickory Creek
2009 TANBARK TO HICKORY
These look really cute until your dog tries to bite into one
Chlling at camp after a long day on the trail
These are baby vultures and the mom nested in rocks right by the trail. They were loud, smelly and to be honest a little creepy
JAMIE & SADIE
Some how we got off trail and ended up at this marker, we did find our way back.
Leann on another winter hike
Camp on Jacks Run
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE