The Backpacking Club NJ/PA/NY

Tentative date TBD by early spring

2 nights, 3 days, about 25 miles, about 9,000 ft elevation (mileage varies a bit depending on the source)

-Advanced backpacking trail done at a moderately chill pace. This means 7-9 mile days on rugged, steep terrain. -Advantages of this pace means working our butts off but also having time to stop and smell the roses. Disadvantages are bigger water carries, since water sources are a bit limited. Be able to carry at least 3 liters.

-This trail is known for being the hardest hike in the catskills. Previous backpacking experience is a must. Intermediate/advanced backpackers only.

-It is an end to end trail, so teamwork on transporting of people and cars will be necessary.

-Plan to start at prediger rd trailhead, first night at mink hollow shelter, 2nd night at diamond notch falls shelter, end at Parking lot on spruceton rd.
-Alltrails Map Name: devil’s path east to west

Feel free to post in the discussion on any ideas, questions, and interest in this trip!
More info to come

This one’s for giving back to the appalachian trail thru hiking community! For those that aren’t familiar, trail magic is a little tradition in the thru hiking community where strangers post up along the AT and give out free food to the dusty crusty thru hikers! As they walk by we feed them, talk, exchange trail stories, and enjoy this beautiful community! June is around the time that the thru hiking bubble will be strolling through Pennsylvania.

Think of this as a trail magic parking lot tailgate, and then about a one mile hike to overnight camp out, so bring your backpacking gear. There is a campsite across from bake oven knob shelter that is the plan to stay at. However, if you prefer the shelter, then go for it, it will be close by! There is an unreliable water source at the shelter. However, I never bank on that and just bring enough water since it’s only a mile and only one night.

You can choose to just do the trail magic tailgate or just do the campout.

As for ideas for the trail magic, anything goes really. Cheap ideas could be a cooler of soda/gatorade and chips. However feel free to go more extravagant!

I will figure out exact times once we get closer, but a rough estimate would be to meet at the parking lot around 10/11 am and then hike to our campsite 3/4 pm.

The hike out is short but fun. We will see the bake oven knob lookout and do a bit of scrambling on rocks, nothing crazy. It’s easy enough to bring your luxury items. If you are a beginner, this is a perfect overnight trip for you!

For the trail magic, don’t forget to bring camp chairs/games/tables/and anything you might want for chilling in a parking lot for a few hours.

More to be posted as we get closer! Can’t wait!

Tentative Date TBD early spring
2 nights, 3 days, 23 miles, 2400 ft elevation
All levels welcome, just be able to backpack a 12 mile day.
Expect: mud, bugs, bogs, wet feet, blowdowns, occasional bushwhacking
Also Expect: beautiful lakes, lean tos, swimming, the sweet sound of loons, campsites with lake views

Alltrails map name: french louie and northville placid trail

More info to come.