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#88033 - 01/25/08 11:54 AM PA Trip inquiry
Timinator3477 Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/07/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Ohio
Hey everybody I'm heading to Waynesboro PA (near Gettysburg) next week. There are a few State Parks out there, and I'm looking for some good trails to check out while I'm out there. Caledonia State park, and Catoctin in MD. I have a day I can devote to hiking, I'd like to know if they have good trails there.

TIA
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#88034 - 01/25/08 02:36 PM Re: PA Trip inquiry [Re: Timinator3477]
Buster_Martin Offline
member

Registered: 01/15/08
Posts: 89
Loc: Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Whoo hooo! A request about PA...an area I'm familiar with!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I'm not entirely certain how far you want to travel to hike but I can recommend some places.

Since you'll be in Waynesboro, the first thing that comes to my mind is South Mountain State Park and the Appalachian Trail. It's actually a Maryland park, but it's not far at all from where you're at...about a 15 minute drive. A good section of the AT runs right through it, too. Here's a link to the park's website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/southmountain.html. You could easily spend all day there.

My second thought would require about a 60-90 minute drive north to Colonel Denning State Park. It's one of my favorite day hikes. There's a trail there that's called Flat Rock Trail. It's a 2.5 mile hike up the mountain (somewhat steep at places) but at the top is a beautiful view overlooking the Cumberland Valley. I normally make it up the trail in about 70-90 minutes depending on my pace. The good part is that it intersects with the Tuscarora Trail (a 105 mile trail) so there's more to hike than just the Flat Rock trail. You've also got many thousands of acres of state forest and state game lands right there, too. BTW, the homepage for this state park is http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/coloneldenning.aspx.

My third and final suggestion would be a place I've yet to visit, but I've always wanted to and will do so soon. It's Cowans Gap State Park and the Buchanan State Forest. It's about 60-90 minutes NW of Waynesboro. I can't comment on it much other than pictures I've seen have looked beautiful and I know there are trails there (but I'm not sure on length or anything). Here's the URL's to both: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/StateParks/parks/cowansgap.aspx and http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/stateforests/buchanan.aspx.

I hope this helps! Feel free to let me know if you need more specifics or anything. I'll see what I can do.
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#88035 - 01/25/08 04:37 PM Re: PA Trip inquiry [Re: Buster_Martin]
Timinator3477 Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/07/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Ohio
Thanks,

I made it up the flat rock trail early December. I've been on that trail a few times and it's one of my favorites. In fact two photos from the trail made my top pics this month.
http://www.bijoumedia.net/Photo%20Art/Thumbnails/New%20photo/DSCF1019.JPG

http://www.bijoumedia.net/Photo%20Art/Thumbnails/New%20photo/DSCF1013.JPG

They all look good. I think this time around I'm going to visit Cowans Gap. The good thing is I'll get to make work all over the state this summer, so I'll have some more chances to see the entire state.

I'll let you know how it was.
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#88036 - 01/25/08 06:03 PM Re: PA Trip inquiry [Re: Timinator3477]
Buster_Martin Offline
member

Registered: 01/15/08
Posts: 89
Loc: Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Good luck with Cowans Gap! I hope you enjoy it! And, that pic of the creek is indeed a very nice pic.
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My site w/ photo journal: http://www.bustermartin101.com

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#88037 - 01/25/08 07:26 PM Re: PA Trip inquiry [Re: Buster_Martin]
Timinator3477 Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/07/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Ohio
Thanks, I'll get plenty of pics
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