r/PAWilds

▲ 12 r/PAWilds

I built a free trail-planning app for the Loyalsock Trail & Old Loggers Path. Looking for feedback from PA Wilds hikers

Hey r/PAWilds! I wanted to share a project I've been working on and get advice from the community.

I'm a local designer/developer and longtime PA Wilds outdoor enthusiast, and over the past year I've been building Trail Sherpa, a free trail planning and information app focused on trails in the PA Wilds.

The first version covers the Loyalsock Trail and Old Loggers Path, with interactive trail maps, campsites, water sources, parking and access points, points of interest, trail information, and tools to help plan a hike.

The project has been supported in part by grant funding from the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, which helped me take it from an idea and prototype to something I could actually launch.

Trail Sherpa is completely free to use. I'm not here to sell anything. What I really need now is feedback from people who know these trails.

If you've hiked the LT or OLP (or plan to), I'd especially love to know:

  • Is anything missing or mapped incorrectly?
  • Are campsite and water-source locations accurate?
  • What information would have been useful when planning your hike?
  • What features would make Trail Sherpa more useful?
  • What PA Wilds trail should I tackle next?

It's now live on the web, iPhone, and Android, so I'd love for you to kick the tires and tell me what works, what doesn't, and what you'd like to see added.

Trail Sherpa: https://trailsherpa.org

Thanks, and I'm happy to answer questions about the project here too.

u/ZachLyon — 23 hours ago

Primitive Camping Thunder Swamp Trail

We’re planning on parking at the southern trail head off PA-402 and entering the trail from there. We’ll probably get there about 2 hours before sunset, so will have limited time to hike out, find a spot and get set up for the night.

Will we have better luck going clockwise or counterclockwise with our limited time to find a spot? Everyone I hear from goes counter clockwise, but heading clockwise towards Bushkill Creek seems more open and spacious, however less flat. We would like to be pretty far from the trail and away from other people.

We have never been there before so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

reddit.com

Would love to hear thoughts on The Hook Natural Area (and other recommendations around R.B. Winter SP)

Hello!

I've got a few days of camping with my family planned at R.B. Winter State Park and I'm looking forward to slipping away one morning to hike into The Hook Natural Area. Besides a blog post by the Purple Lizard folks and some general overviews/history stuff, I can't find much information or pictures around on The Hook, so I am just hoping to hear what people think about hiking there, if there are any "must sees" and any "avoids," see some inspiration if anyone has any photos they'd like to share, and such.

I've got my Purple Lizard map and my current intention is wandering up Mule Shanty Trail and Buffalo Creek, probably until I'm ready to turn around, but possibly turning into a loop back to the state park on Buffalo Path.

I'd also love to hear suggestions on other places to wander from the state park - I prefer to stay out of my car as much as possible when I'm on a camping trip, but feel free to try selling me on a drive - maybe we can try to make a car-trip naptime happen!

reddit.com
u/WizardofEgo — 1 day ago

Looking for secluded day hikes Eastern PA

Basically the title. I live in the Philly region and want to get on a trail where I won’t see many people. Something that I can do for a few hours or all day is fine. Doesn’t have to be scenic, just in the woods.

reddit.com
u/Samurai_XtC — 2 days ago
▲ 166 r/PAWilds

to the class of '76 that made a huge mess at Hyner View State Park:

it doesn't matter that tissue confetti is biodegradable. so is shitty toilet paper. the entire overlook was covered. just a stupid, pointless, selfish, messy thing to do.

reddit.com
u/SortVegetable9123 — 3 days ago
▲ 36 r/PAWilds

Free gear, Johnstown area

I'm giving away:

*Unused 2-person Eureka Timberline tent, in box.

*Used 2-person Eureka Timberline tent.

*Unused Osprey 70L pack.

* 1 and 2-burner Coleman gas lantern heads with carrying case.

I'm giving them away because I'm getting older and have to adapt my backpacking and camping to my capabilities. Not posting pics because you can easily look them up online. They're free because I want them to go to a good home, not a second-hand store. Contact me through Reddit if interested.

reddit.com
u/PercentageDry3231 — 3 days ago
▲ 134 r/PAWilds

Returned to a spot I've visited a number of times to scope out a side stream. We had to work for this one, plenty of blowdown and massive boulders meant our 8 mile bushwack felt like 12 plus. It was slow going with plenty of nettles to keep us company 💚 the endless mountains.

u/overloadimages — 4 days ago

camping around pittsburgh

hello! very niche question here (trying not to travel to ANF if i can stay closer to pgh that’s my goal)

does anyone have any recommendations where i could set up a small camp this time of year near a good/active trout creek? I usually go to ANF or more eastern into PA during fall, but i was curious to see if anyone knew any good spots local around pittsburgh. i know the water quality is not the best so i don’t expect blue/crystal clear water 🤣 but a nice little spot for me and some of the boys to pop a tent up and catch some trout.

would love some recommendations, even outside of pgh, but trying not to drive to to far

thx!

reddit.com
u/theitalianyinzer — 3 days ago

backcountry camping?

hey guys! this weekend i went to Pinchot State Forest and loved that there where hike in back country/dispersed camping.

my questions is this...

are there any other places similar to this? with the logging roads, find a spot to park, hike for however long, and then pitch a tent? i am in the chester county area, but have no problem with a couple hour drive/adventure!

any advise would be so greatly appreciated!

reddit.com
u/DemSquatchLips — 3 days ago
▲ 85 r/PAWilds+1 crossposts

Buttermilk Falls . Frozen

2 years ago the Falls froze solid. Don’t go alone under these conditions.

u/alk_photos — 4 days ago
▲ 49 r/PAWilds

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail on 8.15.2026

Section 1 18.75 MM - 21.65 MM, Section 2 28.50 MM to Grindle Shelter

u/Outdoors__Water — 4 days ago
▲ 17 r/PAWilds

Wawa Park

Nothing too special or off the beaten path, but the dogs love it!

u/w8_wuht — 4 days ago
▲ 60 r/PAWilds+3 crossposts

How would you spread this story in the Lehigh Valley?

Looking for some brainstorming help.

Raymond Minarovic is a Lehigh Valley resident who is on dialysis and urgently needs a living kidney donor. We put together this video and his webpage:

https://www.thegreatsocialexperiment.net/temple/raymond-minarovic

We're trying to figure out the best ways to get his story seen locally. If this were your friend or family member, where would you share it? What groups, organizations, employers, media outlets, or community pages should know about him?

Any ideas are appreciated.

u/dkrissman — 6 days ago
▲ 35 r/PAWilds

Brady’s Run Park

If you get a chance to go the wildflowers are all out. This is a good spot for bird watching. I’ve seen the Oprah and GBH fish here. The Barn Swallows have nests in the pavilion. It’s coved in their poop though.

u/alk_photos — 6 days ago
▲ 13 r/PAWilds

2 to 5 night backpacking trips close-ish to Philly

Hi Folks!

My partner and I are looking for some sorta local spots to explore together that aren’t the typical out and back overnight.
I know about Loyalsock, but that might be too big of a trail to tackle right away.

I’d love to hear your suggestions for other trails we should check out!

reddit.com
u/bananamancometh — 7 days ago
▲ 403 r/PAWilds

First time at Worlds End State Park

I visited Worlds End State Park for the first time this past weekend and just wow! I did a loop of Loyal Sock, Double Run Nature, Link, Canyon Vista, and Cold Run trails then tent camped at site 65. I loved the creeks and waterfalls plus all of the big chunky rocks. Definitely made it one of if not my favorite of the PA State parks. I also stopped at Ricketts Glen State Park on my way home, which I had been to before but had been a while.

u/wildwanderingwonder — 9 days ago
▲ 25 r/PAWilds

Bald Eagle Nest

The Bald Eagle Nest at Big Rock Park New Brighton.

u/alk_photos — 6 days ago