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Weekend Backpacker: Pittsburgh
Tuscarora Trail
By Sandra Downs
It's the longest blue blaze on the Appalachian Trail—252 miles, from Shenandoah National Park to Blue Mountain above Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Once known, in part, as the "Big Blue," the Tuscarora Trail got a shot in the arm several years ago thanks to some extraordinary trail maintenance efforts by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. The terrain is rough and rocky, with few water sources.
Recommended Trip
Try the 105 miles from Carlisle to Hancock&#!51;the section of trail that "went to weed" some years back and was only recently cleared by the PATC. Challenges include rough and rocky boulder fields, stream crossings without the benefit of bridges, and plenty of berry-bearing briars. Following the narrow crest of Tuscarora Mountain, it drops down along the old Forbes Road in Allen's Valley, passes through Cowans Gap State Park, and clambers up to the top of the mountain again for some great scenic views through Buchanan State Forest and the state game lands, reaching a crest of 2,460 feet before dropping down to Hancock.
Getting There
Easiest access from Pittsburgh is via the Pennsylvania Turnpike east to Carlisle (3 hours); from US 11 south take PA 74 north up and over Blue Mountain to PA 850; park at the Appalachian Trail trailhead and head south towards Darlington Shelter. Alternatively, pick up the trail by following PA 74 to PA 233; head south to Colonel Denning State Park.
Maps
Contact the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for Map J. Tuscarora Trail AT, PA to PA Route 641 (Edition 2, 1997) and Map K. Tuscarora Trail PA route 641 to Hancock, MD (Edition 2, 1997).
Practical Information
Blazed in blue, this is a rugged ridgetop trail with few amenities, difficult traverses, and scarce water supplies—think about caching water along the route. The Keystone Trails Association posts hiker updates and information online for the Pennsylvania portion of the trail; PATC covers the southerly portion of the trail.
Guidebook
PATC publishes The Tuscarora Trail: A Guide to the Northern Half in Pennsylvania & Maryland, which is available through their online store. It covers the trail from the Darlington Shelter (intersection with the AT) north of Carlisle into Hancock, Maryland, and includes trailheads, water sources, points of interest, and campsites. Trails are shown on PATC Maps J and K.
Who to Contact
Keystone Trails Association
P.O. Box 251
Cogan Station, PA 17728
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