Old Loggers Path

Loyalsock State Forest (Masten, Lycoming County)

The Old Loggers Path, or OLP, is a loop of about 28 miles in Loyalsock State Forest that starts at Masten, a lumber town that Wikipedia says was abandoned by about 1930 and later hosted a Civilian Conservation Corps camp. DCNR says the footpath “utilizes old logging trails and the grades of logging railroads” through the valleys of Rock Run and Pleasant Stream.

Dave Gantz, writing for Purple Lizard Maps, notes that the loop “does not cross, nor is it near, a paved road.” The Alpine Club of Williamsport adopted it in 2023 after two years of restoration work.

The hike

The Alpine Club says the trail was planned in the late 1970s by Tiadaghton District Forester John Eastlake and describes “six vistas, three waterfalls, two lean-tos.” The main trail is blazed orange; side trails are yellow, blue, or red (Purple Lizard).

Wikipedia describes the loop clockwise from the Masten trailhead on Pleasant Stream Road. The trail climbs along Bear Run to the plateau, reaches a significant vista at mile 5, and crosses Cascade Road at 5.8. Backpacking Routes, which posted a three-day itinerary in 2022, names Sprout Point Vista, with a first-come lean-to but no water nearby, and Sharp Top Vista before the descent along Butternut Run.

At mile 10.4 the trail fords Pleasant Stream without a bridge, which Wikipedia says “can be treacherous.” It then follows Pleasant Stream Road briefly and climbs along Long Run, which Gantz lists among the steep sections. Backpacking Routes places the Doe Run shelter around mile 17 and warns that the turn to the Sullivan Mountain lookout “can be easily overlooked.”

Near mile 18.7 the trail swings along the rim of the Yellow Dog Run canyon, crosses Yellow Dog Road, and drops to Rock Run at 21.3. The Keystone Trails Association calls Rock Run “one of the prettiest streams in Pennsylvania,” and Gantz says its cascades and flumes look impressive at any water level. The last miles climb back to the plateau, follow Ellenton Road briefly, and descend along North Pleasant Stream to Masten.

Flooding on Pleasant Stream destroyed roads and parts of the trail; Wikipedia dates it to 2017 and the Alpine Club to an October 2016 storm. A section was relocated onto a railroad grade, and the Alpine Club says the current DCNR map shows the reroute. Backpacking Routes suggests two or three days and says water “is typically plentiful with no long carries.” Brett Chalupa, who hiked it in early April, wrote that “I don’t think you can go wrong with the Old Loggers Path.”

The Loyalsock Trail runs through the same state forest.

Tips

Scout the Pleasant Stream ford. Gantz says to look for another crossing or turn back if unsure.
Sign the trail registers along the way (Backpacking Routes).
Hang your food, as Chalupa did; black bears live here.
Expect spotty cell service, even at the trailhead.
Fires: soft ban March 1 to May 25; Backpacking Routes says verbal permission may be possible by calling 570-946-4049.
Hunting: the Alpine Club notes the OLP is in Wildlife Management Unit 3B. The 2026 regular firearms deer season runs Nov. 28 to Dec. 13 (Pennsylvania Game Commission). Wear orange.

Camping

DCNR allows backpack camping for one night at a site without a permit. A free permit from the district office is needed for longer stays at one site, an emergency contact, or a spring campfire, and groups of more than 10 need a Letter of Authorization. Camp at least 200 feet from forest roads, 25 feet from trails, and 100 feet from streams and open water, and not in designated Natural Areas. The Sprout Point and Doe Run lean-tos are first come, first served, and Gantz says Doe Run has a few tent sites.

Inside Intel: Chalupa recommends the confluence of Yellow Dog Run and Rock Run: “It’s a beautiful setting with the rushing water nearby,” with a fire ring and swimming holes, though he expects it to be hard to get in warm weather. Gantz also lists Pleasant Stream and Rock Run as popular tenting areas.

Trail facts

Distance: About 27 to 28 miles (27.8 per KTA)
Route type: Loop from Masten
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Campsites: Dispersed; Sprout Point lean-to (dry), Doe Run lean-to (about mile 17), Pleasant Stream (about mile 10), Rock Run (about mile 20)
Water: Pleasant Stream and Rock Run year-round (Backpacking Routes); treat it
Permits: None for one night at a site
Fires: Restricted March 1 to May 25 and in high fire danger
Trailhead: Masten, on Pleasant Stream Road
Last verified: October 12, 2026

The Lowdown

The unbridged Pleasant Stream ford:

At mile 10.4 the Old Loggers Path fords Pleasant Stream without a bridge, a crossing Wikipedia says can be treacherous. Here are five tips for picking a spot or turning back.

Get the five tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.