It's a PAWventure!

Our best attempt at a selfie, however I also think this photo captures our current spontaneity

When last I checked in, we were questioning our future miles. Amos' paw was inflamed and I wondered just what shape our trip might take. We have adapted our thru-hike of the PAW Mega Loop into a PAWventure! Yep, that's what I'm calling it because we've cast all plans right off the cliff. We're wild folks! We're going wherever our paws feel called to go. That's kind of big for me. I'm a planner. But that's why I'm embracing this journey. Everyday it is becoming and so are we. Becoming what? We'll have to see how the wild shapes us.

Amos approaching the East Fork Trail on the Susquehannock Trail System

We returned to the Susquehannock Trail System (STS) for our first day of hiking after healing. A simple five miles out and five miles back with a stay at Dynamite Shelter overnight. We took a side trail from Route 44 by the vista for Water Tank Hollow that led us to the East Fork Trail and the STS. It was only about a mile long, but level, sunny, and stunning. It was a perfect re-entry. Upon reaching the STS, we started up the mountain, following lengthy switchbacks, to the Cherry Springs Fire tower. Here we whooshed through level woods, finally reaching the precipice of Cardiac Climb. On went Amos' new booties and down we went hundreds of feet over young shoots of chickweed and yellow wood nettle. It's a shame the nettle is past its prime for eating but quite fine it's no longer stinging!

Cardiac Climb on the Susquehannock Trail System

At the bottom, we reached the junction for the West Branch Trail and headed up to the Dynamite House Shelter. This shelter is in my opinion no place to sleep unless you're in a serious storm. However, it is fascinating. According to the guidebook, this solid brick building, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) back in the 1930's to store dynamite. It is complete with an iron door and no windows. However, the Susquehannock Trail Club has made it as cozy inside as possible should one need to take cover. We opted instead to set up our tent in the spacious sunlit woods. 

Dynamite House Shelter

Lounging in the tent

The next morning, we headed back the way we came, however Amos insisted we take the Hopper House Hollow trail. This added on at least a mile or so, and it grew more overgrown the farther we followed it, but the fungi finds along the way! While admiring the spiny caps of sharp scaly Pholiota, I couldn't help but notice the drone of flies nearby. I saw the swarm and then spied the rather repulsive red stinkhorn. As I drew closer for a photo, sure enough it was stinky! Stinkhorns smell of carrion to attract insects that will carry their spores away to colonize new places.

Sharp Scaly Pholiota

Red Stinkhorn

Upon return to the trailhead, I checked Amos' paws and found them all looking strong and supple. We would exercise caution, but our trek would indeed continue! Where would we go next? I decided we'd hike portions of the PAW Mega Loop we most wanted to see, seek other intriguing routes, and perhaps revisit favorites. So off to Tiadaghton State Forest we went to return to the Black Forest Trail. 

The Black Forest Trail is a rugged 42-mile loop through Tiadaghton State Forest

Before the PAW I'd never explored the Black Forest Trail, and following the PAW's circuitous route would also provide a glimpse at other trails in the vicinity, such as the Woods and Child Trail and the Gas Line Trail past Bob and Dotty Webber's old homesite. We started near the village of Slate Run early in the cool morning temps. The path was blanketed in rusty pine needles and wide for the first mile or so, then it began up the mountain. Our path narrowed and grew leafy as walked switchbacks and then hiked simply UP. We were however, graced with views along the way. I remained in the lead as its rocky top is notorious for housing rattlesnakes. If ever there was a test of Amos' recovery, this was it. And he did amazing.

Climbing mountains on the Black Forest Trail

One of the many views from the Black Forest Trail

The Woods and Child Trail led us into a dark mossy cove rife with big-leaved wood sorrel, foam flower and heart-shaped violet leaves. I sampled some wood sorrel leaves - lemony delicious. Hornbeam was bejeweled with ripe fruits. Back on the Black Forest Trail, we spent the evening by Little Slate Run in the company of wild ginger, towering basswood, maple, and eastern hemlock, and were serenaded by barred owls late into the evening. 

A hollow along the Woods and Child Trail, note mossy bridge

Violet and foamflower leaves adorned moss blanketed logs and rocks

Ripe hornbeam fruits

The next day we climbed from the hollow and once above, spied the blanket of fog from rising from where we'd slept into the clouds. We followed the Black Forest Trail to the Bicentennial Trail where I laid my whole body against an old growth eastern hemlock. The scent of her bark was intoxicating. I wondered at how many years she had stood in this place, watching day turn into night, season into season, saplings springing forth, and old trees dying, the periodic people that passed through never lingering long. I admired her patience, to stand in one place. But alas it is her nature.

Fog rising from the hollow

 

Old growth eastern hemlock, roughly 4 feet in diameter, backpack for perspective. 

We walked a wooded ridgetop rife with views. Following the Gasline Trail, we came upon the old homesite of Bob and Dotty Webber. Bob was a DCNR forester, a naturalist and integral to the construction of numerous trails in the region, including the Black Forest Trail. He and his wife, Dotty, lived on this remote ridge for over five decades. A large rock rustically engraved now marks their grave. The cabin was relocated to the Lumber Museum in nearby Ulysses, PA, however the slate stone walkway remains. I found a rubber doormat carefully placed there too. A short side trail led to the edge of the ridge revealed an epic vista. This place resonated with presence as we walked quietly about. Surely, Bob and Dotty had a relationship with this mountain few do today with wild places. 

Resting place of Bob and Dotty Webber - "Home on the Rim"

And then, the trail just disappeared. So, we backtracked to the Black Forest and were rewarded there with more incredible vistas, each vista complete with a log bench for viewing. There was no denying we were in the mountains, mountains larger than ours back home in northeastern Pa. We were reminded again as we wound down over ten long switchbacks to the base of the mountain, taking a short side trail back into the village of Slate Run.

A Black Forest Trail vista

Yesterday we visited the Bohen Trail that begins in the village of Blackwell by Pine Creek. I had long looked forward to this portion of the PAW. To be honest, I'd also feared a slim boardwalk that stretched across a notch in the mountainside that I knew we'd have to traverse. Amos has walked countless slim trails and is an expert log- and bridge-crosser. But you know, you get a thing in your head. Pete's informal directions for this route also used the word "precarious" in describing this area and warned not to attempt in icy conditions. So, since I feared it, basically now we had to do it. The day was cool and crisp and drenched in sun, a perfect autumn day to walk the plank.

Amos appreciating Pine Creek

We started up a series of wooden beams cut into the steep slope. Some were collapsing. However, the trail was no slimmer than many we've walked before. In short order we approached a boardwalk. No way, this could be it already I thought to myself, this is nothing, like totally not a thing. We pranced across it with ease. Note to self, usually that thing that you've built in your mind to be fearsome turns out to be meek. I think the boardwalk had simply become a good outlet for my multitude of worries. Unfortunately, the photos are still uploading to the cloud, so I have no illustration, but I promise you'll chuckle when you see it. 

Heading up the Bohen Trail to the West Rim Trail

The Bohen Trail led to Jerry Run Falls, an enchanting stony cut where crystalline water flowed over a steep precipice. Perhaps this was the "precarious" place his directions referenced, who knew, it no longer mattered. We'd conquered the plank, and this watery hollow was stunning. On our way here we also enjoyed a spur trail that led down to beautiful campsites along Pine Creek. What a place. I had considered doing just an out and back but these woods beckoned so we continued up the well-graded Bohen Trail, following Jerry Run and then turned onto the equally well-graded West Rim Trail. We ascended a mighty mountain, but the way in which the trail was constructed, we cruised (having next to nothing in my pack may have also helped). On top of the ridge, yet again, an incredible vista, that gave us a glimpse of where we'd began in Blackwell.  

Vista from West Rim trail into Blackwell

We followed the winding and scenic West Rim Road back down into Blackwell. There we waded in Pine Creek. I spotted two eagles fly overhead. In that moment this little bend in the creek seemed like the most perfect place in all the land. I stopped back in a Miller's General Store to say hi to Anne and Ruth Ann. And then, we were back in the car, destination Hyner Run State Park and just beyond, the Chuck Keiper Trail. 

Thank you for following along on our PAWventure! Experiences are better when shared! Now, time to get hiking!

Amos is always ready for a walk!

BTW if you're looking for some comfy places to kick up your feet or rest your paws, we appreciated Miller's General Store Air B&B and the Potter County Family Campground. From the campground we drove to Pet Smart, only nearly two hours away in Williamsport. Amos picked out his own pair of boots and I loaded up on all the first aid goodies I could possibly think of. Another recommendation: Scout's Honor Prebiotic Balm. I now give Amos' paws a spa treatment every evening and morning, which seems to be keeping them happy. The boots we've only used for about a mile, but now we have 'em in case we need 'em.