*2016* Hiking/Biking/Backpacking/Geocaching/Benchmarking pics.

This thread is where I'm going to post photos from my treks this year.

Last weekend, I did a post winter shakedown cruise on the Laurel Highlands Hiking trail (70 miles long) in order to grab a geocache. I did 9 miles round trip, between mile markers 18 and 23. It was a gorgeous day for a hike. When I started, it was 30F and I was wearing a long sleeved shirt under a fleece under a down sweater and a wool hat. By the time I turned back, it was 60 and I was wearing only the long sleeved shirt (and pants).

Entered the trail from the Laurel Ridge State Park.




The things you come across in the Pennsylvania woods. A cemetery in which the oldest date that I could figure out was 1819 and she was a 12 or 14 year old girl. You can't read most of the stone anymore.










Starting into some boulder fields.




Craggy old rocks. Craggy old trees.




How does nature do that?




I was hiking on a dry plateau but found this trickle fed spring along the trail. It proved to be a great way to test my new water filter.




This filter uses medical grade hollow fibers and if you notice the dual tubes, one is for drawing up the water the other is for back flush water. 10% of the water drawn in is used to continuously back flush the filter, eliminating the need for back country cleaning! It worked great, pumps 2+ liters/minute.







Vista!




More vista!




Vista cubed!




A view from the cliff I was standing on.




Don't step on that crack, or you'll break your mother's back.




Seemed fitting.




More boulder fields. They're getting big now.




Jagger field.




The trail heads up into the rock maze.




Walking among the rocks.

My prize is 6 feet into a hole under those rocks.




Great spot for lunch!




Freeze dried lasagne is on the menu today.




A barren meadow on top of the plateau.




The first signs of spring that I saw!

Beautiful. Thanks for the photographic journey, Justin.

Very nice pictures. Sitting in front of a computer everyday - all day - I long for those trips.

That looks like a great hike.

Great images and I agree- took me right along for the ride. Thanks for that!