Backpacking the Panther Run and Three Runs Loop-Quehanna Wild Area

Bear Creek Preserve-Hike the Purple a... Clarion Loop Trail

Backpacking the Panther Run and Three Runs Loop-Quehanna Wild Area

The vast Quehanna Wild Area is a hiking destination with a wide network of trails creating countless loop options. The Quehanna is known for its diverse habitats and scenery, and is home to wild elk herds. This loop is about 20 miles and is ideal as an overnight backpack or a long dayhike. I backpacked it. Parts of this hike are wet and there are stream crossings without bridges. Much of the route is level or rolling, but the eastern part of the loop is more rugged. This route was easy to navigate, the trails are in decent shape and many have signs.

From the parking area at Hoover Farm, take the yellow David Lewis Trail as it explores meadows, wetlands and spruce forests. It is a scenic trail. Parts of this trail are similar to Dolly Sods in West Virginia. Reach Reactor Road and turn left onto the yellow Panther Run Trail. This is a highlight of the loop as I hiked through a stunning spruce and moss forest; thick carpets of moss covered the forest floor. The scenery was incredible. The trail then crossed a vast meadow with beaver dams and rock outcrops in the distance. Hike along a creek with small meadows and then climb into the forest. Turn right onto an old forest road, descend to a creek and cross on a bridge and then turn right onto Kunes Camp Trail.

This is another great trail as it passes boulders and descends for a beautiful streamside hike with possible camping. Enjoy the cascades and pools with hemlocks and laurel. Turn right onto Erie Camp Trail, an old forest road, descend, cross a creek, and climb to the plateau with white birch trees. Explore open woodlands and then turn right onto Cole Run Trail, a short connector to the orange Quehanna Trail (QT). Turn left on the QT as it explores more open hardwoods with laurel and descend to Cole Run. It was here when I heard a snap of a branch, looked up, and saw a herd of elk and a giant bull. These animals were so massive, yet moved through the forest with grace and ease. An amazing, and little intimidating, experience. I reached Cole Run and met my friends at camp. We enjoyed the night sky and its incredible display of stars.

The next morning was overcast and I got on the trail early, following the QT up a creek with laurel, hemlock and pine. I hiked near a meadow, passed through a spruce forest and crossed the Quehanna Highway. The trail continued into an open forest, passing springs, small meadows, and laurel thickets before reaching Rider Draft Vista, a modest view to the south. Open hardwoods and laurel continued until the steep descent to Upper Three Runs with a long footbridge, and a small reservoir downstream. A sign also indicated the availability of camping. A climb followed as the trees creaked from the winds of a coming storm. At the top, there were two views. One looked south and wasn’t much of a view. But the second view to the west was very nice as it looked into a wooded gorge.

The trail then explored open hardwoods and then entered a hemlock forest and wet area with a short boardwalk. I reached Three Runs Tower Road and followed the QT. At the site of the former firetower is a juncture with the No. 14 Trail, an ideal shortcut with meadows and spruce. Otherwise, continue on the QT as it passes Three Runs Vista, steeply descend to Lower Three Runs and climbs to a juncture with the No. 15 Trail. Go straight onto this trail to Three Runs Road. Go left on this road and then turn right on Big Spring Draft. Pass a walled spring and descend on this gorgeous trail with rhododendron, pine, and hemlocks along a creek. There are two nice campsites. Cross the creek and climb into open hardwoods and wetlands. Turn left onto Wykoff Trail, left on Ligament Trail and then a quick right onto a red trail back to the Hoover Farm parking area.

Parking is at 41.229061, -78.191713. For the map above, “C” are campsites or potential campsites.