Summer Backpacking - Fog, Rain & Shelter on the Old Loggers Path

3 days of Backpacking, Trekking Pole Tent Camping & Lean-to Shelter Camping on the Old Loggers Path.

For this 3 day, 2 night summer backpacking trip, I decided to revisit the OLP in Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock State forest. The OLP is a 27 mile backpacking loop along babbling brooks, waterfalls, hardwoods and hemlocks. I previously did this loop counter-clockwise as a solo hike a couple of years ago, but there was so much to soak in that I decided it would be worth hiking it again. This time I hiked it clockwise with my buddy Dave from Outdoor Vitals, who recently moved out to PA from Utah.

Dave had never tried camping in a lean-to shelter before, so we targeted the Sprout Point shelter for our first night, followed by some tent camping along the confluence of Rock Run and Yellow Dog Run on the second night. This would also be my first time experimenting with an ultralight trekking pole tent, so I was looking forward to trying that out.

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Our weather ranged from highs in the upper 70’s with fairly high humidity, and lows in the upper 60’s. This allowed me to save weight by packing a lightweight 40° quilt and leaving my extra warm clothing layers at home. There was a possibility of rain each day though, so I packed in full rain gear. I also brought a folding saw and some other comfort items, so my base weight was still right around 10 lbs despite the warm forecast.

Trail conditions on the OLP are a mix of nice flat dirt sections, punctuated by spurts of steep sections littered with Pennsylvania’s infamous rocks to keep you on your toes ; literally. Despite the occasional rough sections, the average daily gross elevation gain was only around 1,500 feet per day. Potential water sources are fairly plentiful on the Old Loggers Path, but the key word is potential. When I went before in spring, I got by with only carrying around 1 liter of water at a time. This time around things were very dry, so the only water sources we used were the two that are always flowing – Pleasant Valley Stream and the Rock Run / Yellow Dog Run confluence.

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Trailhead: Masten Camp, 41°30’25.2″N 76°49’15.6″W
Pleasant Stream Rd, Canton, PA

Trails Used Day 1

Cross the bridge to start clockwise on the OLP trail
Keep on following those orange blazes and stay aware of other old logging paths in the area that are not the OLP!
Camp at Sprout Point Shelter
This is a newly built three sided wood shelter with a firepit and nearby vista. Due to the dense vegetation, tent camping spots are limited, so we opted to stay in the shelter. This is a dry site, so we packed in extra water.

Day 1 Mileage: 4.9 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 909’
Day 1 Gross Elevation Descent: 402’

Trails Used Day 2

Continue on the OLP
Take at break at Sharp Top Vista, arguably the best view on the loop.
Refill water at the crossing of Pleasant Stream
This is the only water crossing on the loop that may pose a challenge after heavy rains. With our dry summer conditions we easily crossed it.
Catch some views from Sullivan Mountain
Setup camp at Rock Run and Yellow Dog Run
There are multiple camping opportunities in this area along with established fire rings and plenty of water.

Day 2 Mileage: 15.5
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 2,262’
Day 2 Gross Elevation Descent: 2,991’

Trails Used Day 3

Continue on the OLP
Return to Masten Camp parking lot

Day 3 Mileage: 6.3
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,103’
Day 3 Gross Elevation Descent: 881’

Total Mileage: 26.7
Total Gross Elevation Gain: 4,274’


FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.

Notable Backpacking Gear

ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack http://bit.ly/2Sq1FPH
Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1p Trekking Pole Tent https://bit.ly/3VFdkef
OV Dominion 1p Tent https://bit.ly/3CjjO9S
OV Pillow https://bit.ly/3EmIb9j
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt http://bit.ly/2qlZgJn
Unigear Sleeping Pad https://amzn.to/3AUPzVQ
DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove
Vargo Windscreen https://amzn.to/2M3uRuG
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot https://amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Titanium Long Handled Spork https://amzn.to/3ANWmAK
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets https://amzn.to/3uYZ1TP
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter https://amzn.to/2WcjfYZ
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants https://amzn.to/2MkuI5F
Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket https://bit.ly/3MhqvxD
OV Altitude Sun Hoodie https://bit.ly/3qduBwL
OV Satu Adventure Pants https://bit.ly/3fRqrbD
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes https://amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Benchmade Bugout Folding Knife https://amzn.to/2JVfBS5
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp https://amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Spot X Satellite Messenger https://amzn.to/3adSjBr
Nebula Projector https://amzn.to/3egYo4G
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals https://amzn.to/3Qkp02i