Lazy Fall Hammock Camping in the Rain – Loyalsock Loop Link

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3 Days of Hiking, Backpacking & Hammock Camping in the Rain on the Loyalsock Trail.

For this 3 day, 2 night fall backpacking trip, I’ll be hiking the 24 mile Loyalsock Link Loop, in Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock State Forest.  My goal for this rainy fall hike was a laid back, lower mileage trip with plenty of time at camp each day. For fun and comfort, I still used my minimalist sub 10 pound ultralight backpacking gear load-out. In addition to my usual gear list, I threw in a lightweight backpacking fry pan for some fun camp cooking to spice things up as well.

 

No permit is required to camp in the Loyalsock State Forest, so long as you are only camping one night at each campsite.  You can find more information on the Loyalsock State Forest website here.

Full GPS track data, including campsites, water sources, etc, for this trip and many others can be downloaded on my Trip Data Page.

Trailhead Used: Loyalsock Trailhead Dutchman Falls,  41°26’53.3″N 76°27’13.2″W
Mead Rd, Dushore, PA 18614

The Loyalsock Trailhead on Mead Rd has room for several vehicles and is easily accessible via 2wd. No parking fee or permit required. Loop begins behind the bathroom.

Loyalsock Link Loop Printable Trail Map from the PA DCNR.

Trails Used, Day 1

  • Loyalsock Trail
  • Visit the Haystacks / Haystack Rapids
  • Continue on the Loyalsock Trail
  • Camp along the banks of Sones Pond
    • There are multiple camping opportunities in this area for tents or hammocks with several pre-established fire rings. 

Day 1 Mileage: 5.5 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,018 feet

Day 1 Elevation Profile -Loyalsock Link Loop – Sintax77

Trails Used, Day 2

  • Continue on the Loyalsock Trail
  • Camp along the Loyalsock Trail near Ken’s Window and Alpine Falls
    • This is a medium sized campsite with reliable flowing water nearby, a pre-established fire ring, and room for several hammocks or tents.

Day 2 Mileage: 3.5 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 473 feet

Day 2 Elevation Profile -Loyalsock Link Loop – Sintax77

Trails Used, Day 3

  • Continue on the Loyalsock Trail.
  • From the High Rocks Vista, descend the High Rocks Tail / Loyalsock Trail to the World’s End Visitor Center.
  • Cross the road and continue on the Loyalsock Trail
  • At the rock wall waterfall intersection, take the x trail shortcut to circumvent the Haystacks (optional).
  • Continue on the Loyalsock Trail.
  • Return to the Loyalsock Dutchman Falls parking area.

Day 3 Mileage:  15 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 3,113 feet

Day 3 Elevation Profile -Loyalsock Link Loop – Sintax77

Grand Total Mileage: 24 Miles
Grand Total Gross Elevation Gain: 4,604 feet

Notable Backpacking Gear

Disclosure: A commission may be earned on some of the links on this post.