Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After completing the 59-mile Loyalsock Trail in Pennsylvania, I wanted to share my honest thoughts, trail highlights, and a few surprises that came along the way: including the strangest trail repair I’ve ever had to make (spoiler: it involved my insoles).
In this After the Hike video, I go over some of the most frequently asked questions about the Loyalsock Trail; everything from how difficult it really is, to water sources, camping spots, navigation, gear, and the best direction to hike it. I also talk about my personal experience on the trail including the climbs, the campsites, the wildlife, and how I dealt with some unexpected challenges on the first day.
Whether you’re planning to backpack the Loyalsock for the first time or just love hearing real-world trail stories, this video gives you a clear idea of what to expect on one of Pennsylvania’s best long-distance hikes.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:17 Frequently Asked Questions about the Loyal Sock Trail
00:44 Trail Difficulty and Duration
03:19 Best Direction to Hike
06:01 Camping on the Loyal Sock Trail
08:02 Water Availability
09:27 Trail Blazing and Navigation
12:16 Wildlife Encounters
14:03 Gear Review
15:45 Favorite Sections of the Trail
18:28 Would I Hike It Again?
19:23 Personal Experiences and Issues on the Trail
19:59 Early Morning Struggles
20:56 Overheating and Heat Exhaustion
23:20 Unexpected Challenges on the Trail
26:03 The Insole Incident
30:29 Improvising with Foam Sit Pads
34:40 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
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Social
KZO on Instagram: @KurtZitzelman
KZO on Twitter: @KurtZitzelman
Visit: zitzelman.com
hemlockmountainoutdoors.com
#LoyalsockTrail
#LoyalsockTrailPA
#AfterTheHike
#BackpackingPennsylvania
#PennsylvaniaTrails
#HikingPA
#HemlockMountainOutdoors
#BackpackingTips
#TrailTalk
#HikingAdventure
#OutdoorLife
#HikingStories
#HammockCamping
#BackpackingGear
#TrailRepair
After completing the 59-mile Loyalsock Trail in Pennsylvania, I wanted to share my honest thoughts, trail highlights, and a few surprises that came along the way: including the strangest trail repair I’ve ever had to make (spoiler: it involved my insoles).
In this After the Hike video, I go over some of the most frequently asked questions about the Loyalsock Trail; everything from how difficult it really is, to water sources, camping spots, navigation, gear, and the best direction to hike it. I also talk about my personal experience on the trail including the climbs, the campsites, the wildlife, and how I dealt with some unexpected challenges on the first day.
Whether you’re planning to backpack the Loyalsock for the first time or just love hearing real-world trail stories, this video gives you a clear idea of what to expect on one of Pennsylvania’s best long-distance hikes.
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:17 Frequently Asked Questions about the Loyal Sock Trail
00:44 Trail Difficulty and Duration
03:19 Best Direction to Hike
06:01 Camping on the Loyal Sock Trail
08:02 Water Availability
09:27 Trail Blazing and Navigation
12:16 Wildlife Encounters
14:03 Gear Review
15:45 Favorite Sections of the Trail
18:28 Would I Hike It Again?
19:23 Personal Experiences and Issues on the Trail
19:59 Early Morning Struggles
20:56 Overheating and Heat Exhaustion
23:20 Unexpected Challenges on the Trail
26:03 The Insole Incident
30:29 Improvising with Foam Sit Pads
34:40 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
-------------------------------------------------------
Social
KZO on Instagram: @KurtZitzelman
KZO on Twitter: @KurtZitzelman
Visit: zitzelman.com
hemlockmountainoutdoors.com
#LoyalsockTrail
#LoyalsockTrailPA
#AfterTheHike
#BackpackingPennsylvania
#PennsylvaniaTrails
#HikingPA
#HemlockMountainOutdoors
#BackpackingTips
#TrailTalk
#HikingAdventure
#OutdoorLife
#HikingStories
#HammockCamping
#BackpackingGear
#TrailRepair
