Black Forest Trail Backpack, PA

Photos by Michael Juskelis, 2005/09/10-12.

Scenes on our first day (north section).

One of our best campsites ever!

Our first steep climb of the second day, 700 feet straight up on rocky tread in about 0.5 miles.

A view along the east segment.

An easy stretch!

Views from the steep climb on the south segment.

"On Golden Pond", campsite #2.

Our final vista on the west section. Then, around the corner...

A porcupine! On the final day we shared the trail with two bears and this apparently disgruntled fellow. He eventually gave ground to us.

Ken finished the trip in good spirits.

Tender Nesting Polypore (Hapalopilus nidulans). Ochre in color with yellow to brown spores.

Red-belted Polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola).

White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra), white flower with purple/pink tinged lips.
Striped Gentian (Gentiana villosa). The greenish/purplish stripes are not visible until after the flower opens.

Sweet Fern is actually a shrub that produces green burrs.

Bracken Fern. Long stalk rising from the ground giving rise to three sets of fronds each with many "sub-fronds".

Other pictures from Black Forest Trail, PA: