Fourth Run Loop, Hickory Run State Park, Pennsylvania, Jun 5, 2020

Out of the Culvert, Fourth Run Trail

Since circumstances have not been conducive for vacations to the North Country or even any overnight excursions of any kind, my brother and I decided that we would spend the month of June and July finding hiking locations midway between our two towns. For an inaugural outing, we turned to Tom Thwaites book on hikes in eastern Pennsylvania. In particular, his long circuit hike that he calls the Fourth Run Loop.

We met at the trail head at 7:30 a.m. on a Friday, and were pleased to find the small parking lot empty. Unfortunately, we got off to a poor start with a wrong turn that too us through high, dewy grass. So we lost a half hour and had wet feet for the rest of the day. Back on track, we followed an easy grade through a very pretty forest and had the trail fully to ourselves. As it turned out, that first section of the hike is the best. It was pretty much downhill from there.

On the Trail with Nephew and Brother

The long loop on the Fourth Run Trail actually crosses the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at two points. So you start to hear the road noise well before the first crossing, which was kind of interesting because it goes under the highway through a stream-filled culvert. After the culvert, the trail actually connects with a dirt road open to vehicular traffic... not an ideal setting. 

After looping back and under the Turnpike again, the route leaves the dirt road and becomes a trail again. However, it actually runs parallel to the highway and the noise was a real distraction. Finally, we got back to the peace and quiet for another nice stretch before connecting with the final, disappointing section - hiking directly through a campground. Since it was a Friday, there was all sorts of commotion with the yahoos rolling in with their campers. We zipped through and back to the car, happy with the distance covered, but a little disappointed with the overall experience.

Trail: Fourth Run Trail
Distance: 12.4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 940 feet

Conditions: Mostly sunny, 90 degrees F