"Our Favorite Hikes"

From the 1980's through the early 1990's, one of the most eagerly awaited pages in SATC's Bushwack Bulletin was the page of "Our Favorite Hike" of the quarter. Someone (usually Ralph Kinter) would mark up a topographic map and describe in detail (often with precisely measured distances) a hike that appealed to them and to other Club members. After Father Time caught up with SATC's co-founder and longtime editor, the "Our Favorite Hike" series faded into oblivion.

Years later, Harrisburg area hikers still enjoy many of the same routes, however others have either faded into obscurity or become impossible to follow due to encroaching development or private landowners posting their land. Still others have changed due to relocations of major spine footpaths such as the Appalachian and Horse-Shoe trails. Even trails on public land might have faded away or been relocated since these descriptions were prepared.

Clickable map of Our Favorite Hikes 1 through 33:

List of "Our Favorite Hikes":

  1. Rausch Gap via Goldmine Road, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Lebanon County)
  2. Rocky Knob Trail, Michaux State Forest (Cumberland/Adams Counties)
  3. Caledonia Circle Hike, Caledonia State Park/Michaux State Forest (Franklin County)
  4. Devils Race Course Circle Hike, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Dauphin County)
  5. Golden Eagle Trail, Tiadaghton State Forest (Lycoming County)
  6. Cold Spring Complex, Part 1, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Lebanon County)
  7. Cold Spring Complex, Part 2, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Lebanon County)
  8. White Rocks Circle Hike, South Mountain (Cumberland County) NOTE: Trail Significantly Relocated
  9. A.T. on Peters Mountain/Victoria Trail, PA 225 to PA 325 (Dauphin County) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  10. Victoria/A.T./Shikellimy Trails on Peters Mountain (Dauphin County) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  11. Shikellimy/A.T. on Peters Mountain, East End (Dauphin County) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  12. Darlington Trail, Overview to Tower Road NOTE: Trail CLOSED!!!!!!!
  13. Darlington Trail, Tower Road to Lambs Gap (Cumberland/Perry Cos.) NOTE: Trail Significantly Relocated
  14. Darlington Trail, Lambs Gap to Millers Gap (Cumberland/Perry Cos.) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  15. Darlington Trail, Millers Gap to Sterretts Gap (Cumberland/Perry Cos.) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  16. Pine Grove Furnace Complex, Pole Steeple (Cumberland County)
  17. Pine Grove Furnace Complex, Rocky Ridge (Cumberland County)
  18. Zartman Logging Railroad, Part 1 (Dauphin County) NOTE: Unmaintained trail, private land may be posted
  19. Zartman Logging Railroad, Part 2 (Dauphin County) NOTE: Unmaintained trail, private land may be posted
  20. Re-located Section of Horse-Shoe Trail, Part 1 (Dauphin County) NOTE: Trail CLOSED!!!!!!! (was relocated again)
  21. Re-located Section of Horse-Shoe Trail, Part 2, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Dauphin County)
  22. Re-located Section of Horse-Shoe Trail, Part 3, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Dauphin County)
  23. Re-located Section of Horse-Shoe Trail, Part 4, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Dauphin County)
  24. Franklintown Game Lands 243 (York County)
  25. Piney Mountain Circle Hike, Michaux State Forest (Cumberland County)
  26. Nine O'Clock Run Circle Hike, Part 1, SGL 210 (Dauphin County)
  27. Nine O'Clock Run Circle Hike, Part 2, SGL 210 (Dauphin County) Note: Uncertain conditions at PA 325 end
  28. State Hospital/Wildwood Lake (Dauphin County) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  29. Tumbling Run Game Preserve (Cumberland County) NOTE: Private Land, Permission Required
  30. "Jane Keeney's Chicken Hikes, Part 1" Appalachian Trail (Berks/Schuylkill Cos.) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  31. "Jane Keeney's Chicken Hikes, Part 2" Appalachian Trail (Berks/Schuylkill Cos.) NOTE: Some Trail Relocations
  32. Memorial Lake State Park (Lebanon County)
  33. Water Tank Trail, SGL 211/"St. Anthony's Wilderness" (Dauphin County)
  34. Conewago Recreational Trail (Lancaster County)
  35. "The Wrong Way Hike" near Horse-Shoe Trail (Dauphin County)
  36. Moravian Star Trek, sidewalks of Lititz (Lancaster County)

So, this collection of hike descriptions is offered as a snapshot in time and a historical record. Maybe you can hike on many of these routes today. However, if you do, get your own more current maps of these areas, ALWAYS respect posted private property by not entering the premises, and definitely scout the hike before you lead it for the Club!

January 26, 2006, NPF