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History of the Loyalsock Trail The name Loyalsock Creek is from the Indian phrase, "LAWI-SAQUICK," meaning middle creek since it flows between Muncy Creek and Lycoming Creek. The Loyalsock Creek begins in Wyoming County and ends at Montoursville, PA, where it flows into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The LOYALSOCK TRAIL (LT), is a footpath which begins on PA Route 87, 9.0 miles north of the Route 87-Montoursville Exit from Interstate 180 (US ROUTE 220) and ends at the parking lot on Meade Road, .2 miles from US Route 220. Entrance to Meade Road is 2.4 miles north of the intersection of Routes 220 and 154 near Laporte. The LT follows mountain ridges and streams through the Loyalsock watershed as it travels through the woods on footpaths, old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades. It passes through parts of the Tiadaghton and Wyoming State Forests for most of it's 59.21 miles. The extremes of elevation are 665' to 2140'. The LT passes many points of interest: Allegheny Ridge, Smiths Knob, Angel Falls, Kettle Creek Vista, Dutter Run Falls, Mary's View, High Knob, Lee's and Rode Falls in Ketchum Run Gorge, Alpine Views, Mineral Spring, Loyalsock Canyon Vista, Worlds End State Park, High Rock Vista, Beaver Dam, Ken's Window, Alpine Falls, Sones Pond, The Haystacks, and Dutchman Falls. Explorer Scouts of Post No. 110 (Boy Scouts of America) from Williamsport, PA, led by Howard Ulman, Jr., laid out the Loyalsock Trail in 1951. The Alpine Club of Williamsport was organized in 1953 to maintain the original 30.4 miles of the trail. Both ends of the LT were extended to their present locations between 1960 and 1962; and additional relocations were made in 1973, 1975, 1983, 1984, and 1999.. The LT travels over many logging roads and railroad grades which are mentioned in the LT Trail Gude along with accompanying historical facts. Logging of the old growth forests of the Loyalsock watershed began in the early 1800s and was completed by the large railroad logging operations between 1902 and 1925. One segment of the LT follows the Towanda Indian Trail, which dates from before the coming of European settlers and is located in the Highland Lake Region. The LT is blazed with metal discs (can lids) that are painted red with the yellow letters "LT" in the center. Double blazes warn of an approaching abrupt change in direction of the trail. The LT has also been marked with 2" X 6" rectangular yellow paint blazes with a 1" horizontal red stripe. Turns are marked with a yellow directional arrow. There
are three different types of side trails used in the LT system. The mile markers and descriptions in the guide are from West to East. No shelters are available on the LT, but certain areas are suggested for camping along the trail. Primitive camping is permitted on State Forest Land where overnight campers, including backpackers, must have a camping permit. Permits are available by mail or in person from forestry offices: In Lycoming County contact the Tiadaghton State Forest, 423 East Central Ave., South Williamsport, PA 17702, phone: (570) 327-3450; and in Sullivan County contact the Wyoming State Forest, 274 Arbutus Park Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, phone: (570) 387-4255. During working hours camping permits may also be obtained at the Hillsgrove Ranger Station, P.O. Box 75, Hillsgrove, PA 18619, phone: (570) 924-3501. Campsites and cabins are available at Worlds End State Park, P.O. Box 62, Forksville, PA 18616, phone (570) 924-3287. Camping is not permitted where the trail crosses private land. We recommend using a small backpacking stove. However, if you must use a small fire for camping, do so only when the forest fire danger is low, and destroy evidence of the fire. Continued permission to cross private and public lands depends on the careful and "thoughtful use of trail" by hikers. It is important that all hikers help to prevent contamination (human waste, garbage, and wash water) of all water along the trail. Water should be boiled or chemically treated before use. Our LT Trail Guide does not attempt to give minute details for finding one's way along the trail; hikers are on their own and assume their own liability. Hikers must use the Guide and maps, along with the trail markers and their hiking know-how. You should be physically fit to hike the rough terrain: wear proper shoes and clothing; be prepared for changing weather conditions; and carry adequate food. We recommend that you wear or carry long pants since you may encounter briers or nettles on some sections of the trail. For safety, wear hunter orange during archery and small game hunting seasons, and do not hike the trail during large game season, which generally starts the Monday prior to Thanksgiving and lasts for three weeks. There is no hunting permitted by law on Sunday. Anyone hiking the LT does so at their own risk. The LT is covered by the Montoursville North, Huntersville, Picture Rocks, Hillsgrove, Eagles Mere, and Laporte 7.5 minute topo maps.
Hikers covering at least ten miles of the LT may purchase an embroidered LT patch from the Alpine Club of Williamsport. The Alpine Club invites you to hike the LOYALSOCK TRAIL in hopes that you will enjoy, explore, and preserve the wild lands and places of natural beauty and interest. |
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