Michaux State Forest, PA - Rocky Knob and Long Pine Run Reservoir

ABOUT THE PARK:
Michaux State Forest - Pennsylvania DCNR
Rocky Knob Trail - Pennsylvania DCNR

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 39.978227, -77.441316

View Larger Map

There are about 5 parking spots on the left directly across Ridge Road from where the trail starts.  The car on the right is parked blocking the barrier so probably not advisable to park there.

TRAIL MAP:
Rocky Knob Trail - Beaver Trail - Pennsylvania DCNR
Map 2-3 Appalachian Trail Pennsylvania - Applachian Trail Conservancy 
Michaux State Forest, PA - Rocky Knob and Long Pine Run Reservoir at EveryTrail



HIKE DISTANCES:
Rocky Knob Trail - 4 miles
Rocky Knob Trail and Beaver Trail - 7.5 miles but can be more or less depending on distance hiked along Long Pine Run Reservoir

PEAK BAGGING:
Sier Hill - peakery.com
Rocky Knob - peakery.com

THE HIKE:
This hike was done on the way to a hiking trip in Virginia.

The trail starts at the barrier directly across the street from the parking area.

A sign at the intersection where the trail crosses over the Appalachian Trail.

The Rocky Knob Trail is blazed in orange.

View of Long Pine Run Reservoir and Rocky Knob.  The April 1999 edition of Backpacker Magazine states "CAN'T MISS: The view from 1,930-foot Sier Hill, which takes in the Cumberland Valley to the west and Gettysburg to the east."  No such thing found - if there ever was such a view, it's overgrown now and this is the only view.

Descending Sier Hill and following the trail over to Rocky Knob.

Rocky Knob

At post #10 the trail splits.  Right completes the loop for the 4-mile hike.  Left connects to the Beaver Trail at scenic Long Pine Run Reservoir.

Taking a left down to the reservoir.

A rock hop over Birch Run.

Crossing Birch Run Road at the end of the orange-blazed Rocky Knob trail to the yellow-blazed Beaver Trail.

This is a very pretty pine needle covered trail along the reservoir.

Looking south at Long Pine Run Reservoir.

To the north, Rocky Knob.

The reservoir dam.

A very fresh ( looks like from the night before since wood chips are on top of leaves) beaver project.

Retracing on the Beaver Trail.

After crossing Birch Run Road, retrace on the orange-blazed Rocky Knob Trail.

Back at post #10, keep left on a long, gradual ascent.

Coming back to the intersection where the Appalachian Trail crosses over.

The Appalachian Trail

Back at the parking area.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Cross gravel park road and continue on trail beyond gate
[  0.20]  Cross over the white-blazed Appalachian Trail at the Rocky Knob sign and continue on orange-blazed trail
[  0.45]  Veer left at fork on footpath at post #1, right is the return route
[  1.45]  View of Rocky Knob and Reservoir at post #6
[  2.20]  Rocky Knob on left at post #8
[  2.50]  Turn left at intersection with post #10, right is return route
[  3.00]  Rock hop over creek
[  3.10]  Cross over gravel Birch Run Road then descend steps on other side on yellow-blazed Beaver Trail
[  4.00]  Turn around point but can turn around any place along reservoir
[  4.95]  Cross over gravel Birch Run Road back to orange Rocky Knob Trail
[  5.10]  Rock hop over creek
[  5.60]  Keep left on orange at post #10
[  6.95]  Turn left at intersection with post #1
[  7.20]  Cross over Appalachian Trail
[  7.50]  Pass gate and cross gravel road back to parking

Shenandoah River State Park, VA - Base Camp

ABOUT THE PARK AND CABINS:  Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park

DIRECTIONS:
GPS coordinates to cabins: 38.848503, -78.318693

View Larger Map

HIKES:  
Michaux State Forest, PA: Rocky Knob and Long Pine Run Reservoir - 7.5 miles
Shenandoah National Park, VA: Hogback Mountain - 7 miles
Shenandoah National Park, VA: Rose River - 4.2 miles
Shenandoah River State Park, VA:  Bluebell Loop - 4.3 miles
Shenandoah River State Park, VA:  Allen's Mountain to Wildcat Ledge - 7.5 miles
Shenandoah National Park, VA:  Corbin Cabin - 4.6 miles

BASE CAMP:
I may be an avid hiker and love being in the woods but when it comes to accommodations, this is my idea of camping!  I stayed in this exact same cabin, exactly 3 years ago, also the last week of October.  The cabins were only a few months old at the time.  Now 3 years later, they still look brand new.  As an added bonus for me, Virginia State Park cabins are pet-friendly so my best ever hiking partner, my dog Shawnee, is welcome there.

Our arrival in Front Royal, Virginia.

I sometimes get to the trails in Shenandoah National Park before the booths are open so since there was a very short line and it's right on the way to the park I stopped to buy my pass for the week.

$15 pass allows for unlimited access for 6 days.

Since it was still light out, we took a spin on Skyline Drive.

A view from Skyline Drive to the east.  The sun was setting in the west so it was blinding on that side.

We arrived at Shenandoah River State Park just in time to stop at Culler's Overlook to watch the sun set behind Massanutten Mountain.

And here is our cabin, cabin #6, with a trail head just to the right.  We could literally walk out the door and start hiking.

Up the steps the door on the left leads to ...

the living room and kitchen.

The bathroom with a shower on the right.

The master bedroom.

The second bedroom.

And our favorite spot, the deck.

It's a great place for relaxing after a day of hiking.

If you sit very quietly reading or napping, you just never know who might drop in ...

I want to add, also, that when this happened to the almost new car...

 

I stopped in at the Visitor Center to ask if I could borrow a phone book to see if there was a Subaru dealership in Front Royal.  (No cell service or Internet in the cabins.)  The nice lady behind the desk chuckled, meaning no Subaru dealership, but she had me on the phone with her mechanic in seconds and while I was talking to him she had written down the address, phone number, everything I needed to get there and I was on my way.   I have always found state park staff to be very friendly and helpful and this was no exception.  (The car was a quart low on oil and Suburu says this is normal - in a new car ?!?!?!?!)