PA > Allegheny National Forest > Morrison Trail > January 27-29

**Pennsy Camp and Canoe** · 01-21-2017, 12:29

Snow is all gone up here in Erie too, I'm probably just as far away as Conquering Fool, but in the opposite direction. I'm not as worried about the trail as I am the ground where we'll be standing around. I don't think it has been cold long enough this year to freeze, might get mushy.

**Keroca17** · 01-21-2017, 14:28

Thanks for the update,

**Toofies** · 01-22-2017, 22:56

I was to Morrison Thursday. The trail,looked good although, I didn't hike back but 100 yards. I think your right, probably going to be mushy.

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**IroquoisArcher** · 01-23-2017, 09:50

Never saw this thread but from what had heard ASSUMED it was last weekend. No wonder only saw 4 people and 3 were at the end. 2 were just local guys thru hiking, 1 was just night camping and 1 was a girl I met almost to the end. She said their were campers at the end...all women...yippee me thinks....not sure Brett is a girls name...no one there except the guy camping.
No snow except few patches in shadowed places. Streams were high, goretex ain't waterproof if you go over the tops of your boots, 6 crossings think...first and last able to do without getting wet, second to next to last, well waded. Area along the stream 1/2 way in lacks some marking so had some trouble following it. Did the 5.8 in just under 3 hours including talking to the camper.
Haven't overnighted it since 1980's and really no gear except stuff from then. Plan on showing up just to see equipment.
Up here in Erie (about 70 miles away) calling for rain and some snow Friday with high of 34, Sat. high of 32 and Sun. high of 29. Temps at night in lower 20's. Now again this is 70 miles away and Warren area most of the times is a couple degrees cooler and USUALLY not as much lake effect (usually as this years been a bit different).
At .5 marker some evergreens over to the south (right at marker) look good for setting up.

**Two Tents** · 01-23-2017, 10:26

Ok here is my story. I signed up, excited to hang on this HF outing. I posted this trip on the backpacking club I'm active in, Northeast Ohio Backpackers Club. I was not expecting many or any of that group to sign up. Well as of today I have five backpackers and one other dog besides mine who are signed on. So the new plan is to camp near the HF group Friday night, providing we can find you. After delivering doughnuts to you guys and visiting, checking out rigs and bs-ing a bit, my group will probably pack up and hike on for Saturday night. My group wants to walk. Go figure.. So I'm kinda in while being kinda out. Anyway see you up there! Come on snow! I built a saucer sled pulk for my pooch, got to test it prior to melt off and do upgrades thus jinxing snow covered trails for awhile. Sorry! Peace, Two Tents & ben

**kunzman** · 01-23-2017, 20:43

Originally Posted by IroquoisArcher

No snow except few patches in shadowed places. Streams were high, goretex ain't waterproof if you go over the tops of your boots, 6 crossings think...first and last able to do without getting wet, second to next to last, well waded. Area along the stream 1/2 way in lacks some marking so had some trouble following it. Did the 5.8 in just under 3 hours including talking to the camper.

You think the Rim Rock Trail to campground would be drier? Did you take your boots off and wade across on the wet crossings? Our plan is to backpack to the campground Saturday and we would like to keep our boots dry if at all possible. Maybe I bring surf socks for wading?

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**kunzman** · 01-23-2017, 20:46

Originally Posted by Two Tents

So the new plan is to camp near the HF group Friday night, providing we can find you. After delivering doughnuts to you guys and visiting, checking out rigs and bs-ing a bit, my group will probably pack up and hike on for Saturday night. My group wants to walk. Go figure.. Sorry! Peace, Two Tents & ben

You planning on camping at the campground Saturday night? That's our plan as well.

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**IroquoisArcher** · 01-23-2017, 23:47

Just from looking at the map it doesn't show the Rimrock trail (nearer to Rt. 59) as having any streams to cross so am going to assume it would be the better way BUT I've never been on that trail.
No didn't take my boots and socks off, was my first thought to do but my other self said I didn't have to, teaches me to listen to him. With the rain for the next day or two then it turns to snow, thought saw 2"+ at Bradford Tuesday night and continuing.

**ComfyCocoon** · 01-24-2017, 00:00

Originally Posted by kunzman

You think the Rim Rock Trail to campground would be drier? Did you take your boots off and wade across on the wet crossings? Our plan is to backpack to the campground Saturday and we would like to keep our boots dry if at all possible. Maybe I bring surf socks for wading?

Yes, from my experience hiking the trail if you go in a counter-clockwise direction on the Rimrock loop to the campground you will have no problem staying dry. Once you get past the campground there are mutiple wet crossings as the trail follows along Morrison Run. So, if you want to keep dry feet on the hike out you will want to go back the way you came in. Although, you will miss a very scenic hike along Morrison Run

**Pennsy Camp and Canoe** · 01-24-2017, 00:30

Originally Posted by thanzely

Yes, from my experience hiking the trail if you go in a counter-clockwise direction on the Rimrock loop to the campground you will have no problem staying dry. Once you get past the campground there are mutiple wet crossings as the trail follows along Morrison Run. So, if you want to keep dry feet on the hike out you will want to go back the way you came in. Although, you will miss a very scenic hike along Morrison Run

agreed counter clockwise (ie turn right at the 1st intersection if following the Morrison Trail from the trail head / parking lot) is the dry route.