Summer Backpacking - Fog, Rain & Shelter on the Old Loggers Path

3 days of Backpacking, Trekking Pole Tent Camping & Lean-to Shelter Camping on the Old Loggers Path.
For this 3 day, 2 night summer backpacking trip, I decided to revisit the OLP in Pennsylvania’s Loyalsock State forest. The OLP is a 27 mile backpacking loop along babbling brooks, waterfalls, hardwoods and hemlocks. I previously did this loop counter-clockwise as a solo hike a couple of years ago, but there was so much to soak in that I decided it would be worth hiking it again. This time I hiked it clockwise with my buddy Dave from Outdoor Vitals, who recently moved out to PA from Utah.
Dave had never tried camping in a lean-to shelter before, so we targeted the Sprout Point shelter for our first night, followed by some tent camping along the confluence of Rock Run and Yellow Dog Run on the second night. This would also be my first time experimenting with an ultralight trekking pole tent, so I was looking forward to trying that out.
For and easier read, more info, & GPS data check out my full blog post
www.sintax77.c...
Our weather ranged from highs in the upper 70’s with fairly high humidity, and lows in the upper 60’s. This allowed me to save weight by packing a lightweight 40° quilt and leaving my extra warm clothing layers at home. There was a possibility of rain each day though, so I packed in full rain gear. I also brought a folding saw and some other comfort items, so my base weight was still right around 10 lbs despite the warm forecast.
Trail conditions on the OLP are a mix of nice flat dirt sections, punctuated by spurts of steep sections littered with Pennsylvania’s infamous rocks to keep you on your toes ; literally. Despite the occasional rough sections, the average daily gross elevation gain was only around 1,500 feet per day. Potential water sources are fairly plentiful on the Old Loggers Path, but the key word is potential. When I went before in spring, I got by with only carrying around 1 liter of water at a time. This time around things were very dry, so the only water sources we used were the two that are always flowing - Pleasant Valley Stream and the Rock Run / Yellow Dog Run confluence.
sintax77-offic...
Trailhead: Masten Camp, 41°30’25.2″N 76°49’15.6″W
Pleasant Stream Rd, Canton, PA
Trails Used Day 1
Cross the bridge to start clockwise on the OLP trail
Keep on following those orange blazes and stay aware of other old logging paths in the area that are not the OLP!
Camp at Sprout Point Shelter
This is a newly built three sided wood shelter with a firepit and nearby vista. Due to the dense vegetation, tent camping spots are limited, so we opted to stay in the shelter. This is a dry site, so we packed in extra water.
Day 1 Mileage: 4.9 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 909’
Day 1 Gross Elevation Descent: 402’
Trails Used Day 2
Continue on the OLP
Take at break at Sharp Top Vista, arguably the best view on the loop.
Refill water at the crossing of Pleasant Stream
This is the only water crossing on the loop that may pose a challenge after heavy rains. With our dry summer conditions we easily crossed it.
Catch some views from Sullivan Mountain
Setup camp at Rock Run and Yellow Dog Run
There are multiple camping opportunities in this area along with established fire rings and plenty of water.
Day 2 Mileage: 15.5
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 2,262’
Day 2 Gross Elevation Descent: 2,991’
Trails Used Day 3
Continue on the OLP
Return to Masten Camp parking lot
Day 3 Mileage: 6.3
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,103’
Day 3 Gross Elevation Descent: 881’
Total Mileage: 26.7
Total Gross Elevation Gain: 4,274’
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear
ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack bit.ly/2Sq1FPH
Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1p Trekking Pole Tent bit.ly/3VFdkef
OV Dominion 1p Tent bit.ly/3CjjO9S
OV Pillow bit.ly/3EmIb9j
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt bit.ly/2qlZgJn
Unigear Sleeping Pad amzn.to/3AUPzVQ
DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove
Vargo Windscreen amzn.to/2M3uRuG
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Titanium Long Handled Spork amzn.to/3ANWmAK
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets amzn.to/3uYZ1TP
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter amzn.to/2WcjfYZ
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants amzn.to/2MkuI5F
Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket bit.ly/3MhqvxD
OV Altitude Sun Hoodie bit.ly/3qduBwL
OV Satu Adventure Pants bit.ly/3fRqrbD
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Benchmade Bugout Folding Knife amzn.to/2JVfBS5
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
Nebula Projector amzn.to/3egYo4G
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals amzn.to/3Qkp02i

[@uptrail7169]

About 6 weeks ago in the Porcupine Mountains, MI I attempted to break my 1 day backpacking record of 29.2 miles from 2019 on the Superior Hiking Trail. It was 80 F and humid. At about 22 1/2 miles it was hammock time! 😀 Maybe another day. Thanks for another great sintax video! 👍

[@DanielBrown-nj3th]

The video finding flight 792 had a private property sign in it. My uncle has a share of that property and cabin. The cabin we call the wig wam. Haven’t seen it in over 20 yrs but you let me see the entrance gate. Brought me goosebumps. Thank you 🙏

[@HiddenHollowOutoors]

One of my favorite PA trails of all time!

[@db.mc2]

Thank you Shawn, appreciate you my friend, hope you're doing well, stay safe and take care 👊✌️

[@waywarddown140]

After years of watching your videos, it was really great to see you hitting a trail I recently did myself for the first time and re-live it a little through your lens. Thanks.

[@gigi3242]

wow, that last campsite was so beautiful, thanks for taking us along. Seems like your hiking buddy pushed you a bit beyond what you would normally do, lol Awesome video. Take care, be well

[@vinceimp9581]

Always a pleasure to see another video pop up from ya, hope ya had a good trip on this one and thanks for sharing as always.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Vince. We had great time. It's definitely a loop worth exploring.

[@walterwright8926]

Really missing TrailKilla being with you but nice to see camping with others as well, great video

[@thehafricanultralighter4973]

Aka trail slippa

[@linh8997]

Heloise the Happy Hiker says: go to Walmart and get some Flex Tape. It's magic. Thanks for the beautiful trip...

[@terryholt1832]

Lovely trip. Fall is coming.

[@dbstewart4496]

Your vlogs make me want to go camping.! Yippee👍👏😀🇺🇸( I am a backpacker with more then 25 years of experience, but your laid back, no drama trips, are truly inspiring )

[@mtsquad]

Love your new avatar, missed you this summer

[@michaelrousseau8851]

9 seconds in and I'm already laughing. I love me a Sintax video

[@TheTarotCardGuy]

Another great video. That's one thing I love about hammock camping and carrying a second tarp; if the rain comes, i will always have shelter to cook and eat under.

[@paulkick7870]

Welcome back to Dave!

[@jodyreay733]

Enjoyed the video!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for bringing Dave along!

[@denali9643]

Great trip. Love when you showcase new gear for us. Very cool tent!

[@RuthRader]

Hi Guy!! Oh Boy I was so happy to see You once again. Dude, I missed You in the line up. I’m posting this even before I watch Your new video because I want You to know that it’s just not the same around here without You, Buddy. ✋🏻😃

[@notquiteultralight1701]

This was a great watch Syntax. That looks like some pretty country. I like the looks of that tent way more than the AT thruhiker standard that everyone gets. I like the tiny footprint. Seems like right at that moment when you’re so exhausted your mumbling your words, the only sites are full of roots and rocks so it’s nice to have a small footprint. You’re buddy Dave seems pretty chill. Thanks again. NQU

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, greetings from Northern California. Thank you for the tag along. This was another fun outing. You certainly do a fine job with the filming. Stay safe out there. 🤗

[@dannywhitlock8309]

Hi, Shawn & Dave 👍🏻 I’m enjoying your awesome hiking adventure while I’m watching it rain here in Georgia it’s 1:30am. I always look forward to watching your videos and I hope soon you will be at the cabin for another great deer season also is that camo cap from Black Rifle Coffee. Thanks for sharing your hiking adventure, enjoy and have a great weekend !!! Danny 👍🏻

[@Horses0rats0peace]

The OLP was my first backpacking trip, and we did it in drought conditions similar to these (July 2020). Although it was also 95 degrees! As it was our first overnight, we were too nervous about water to dry camp, so we stayed at the campsite you got water at on day 2 (near the road - not ideal, but we only saw one car drive by) and at Pleasant Stream. The Pleasant Stream campsite was amazing. Love seeing this trail, and I hope to experience it again in non-drought conditions!

[@PracticalOutdoorist]

Thanx for takin us along for this hike/camp, I appreciate it!

[@libbymeyer33]

I love these hikes with you

[@DuctTapeADK]

Been quite a few years since I hiked the OLP. Thanks for reminding me to go back and revisit it.

[@150F2011]

Thanks for the video,I appreciate your efforts to make us part of your hike

[@suezaple4950]

have to love hiking one of my favorite things to do. Love how you folks have large shelters in the hiking areas we do not here in ontario. love that projector good to have on those rainy days, The forested area is epic love the trail system. loved this adventure thanks for hauling us along with you.

[@lisamr40]

Yay! You're back!! So happy to see a new video posted !! Thanks for sharing your awesome adventures.

[@mrrims]

Another great adventure! Thanks for sharing.

[@jenniesuter4402]

Thanks for another great walk in the woods!

[@garrycollins3415]

I saw the Fortius so I hurriedly clicked on the video. My 2P should arrive this week.

[@flipflat4814]

Whoot whoot a video from sintax77 !

[@jeffmarshall9420]

Glad you're back.

[@spiderreed350]

Welcome back dude.glad your OK,👍

[@Chevy-hw6lw]

Nice trip bruh

[@brianneal695]

Always love to see your videos pop up, been too long!

[@Tallpagangirl]

This is great stuff, nice to have you back :)

[@barbararobbins5309]

I was glad to see a video from you, It seemed like it had been a while. I liked the tent. Keep hiking, and I'll look forward to your next adventure.

[@michaelbroyer3918]

I loved this little video. The mini canyon towards the end of your video was really nice. Please name me one piece of inflatable gear you would buy over and over. I think inflatable is over inflated in price and under inflated in durability. My pillow is a Thermarest pillow case I stuff with clothing, stuff sacks etc. It will never lose air and I sleep fine. Keep making videos and more importantly.... Backpacking.

[@richardramsay7964]

Literally checked yesterday to see if I had missed a post from you. Glad to see a new vid

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

This is a beautiful hike. Thank you for taking us with you. From Bakersfield California where it is 115* F today. Take care.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Katherine. 115, yikes!

[@ewengillies9826]

Thanks for a pleasant friendly hike. Great terrain and scenery always makes for an interesting vid. Think you saw more hikers on this trail than many others you have done. Appreciated the adventure. Bushyboy Oz.

[@joannekeefe426]

Always awesome! 😁

[@melvinroehm821]

Lol..rain..happens to me all the time I sware I'm a water magnet.

[@hannabis80]

I was just wondering what you've been up to lately, happy to see you're still making videos. Can't wait to catch up on the ones I've missed.

[@flipflat4814]

I was near Loyalsock State Forest about a month ago to play a round of of disc golf at the recently expanded 18 holes at Linesville Park Disc Golf Course in White Haven, PA. I'm trying to play every Disc golf course within a 4-Hour drive from my home in NY State.

[@crewzillakelly3655]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful journeys. I’ve been watching your video from the very beginning.Keep them coming Sintex77 so legit!

[@pizzarat6145]

For your Knor side: use a little less water and stir throughly. Add summer sausage, jerky, pouch of chicken or tuna, and a package of fire sause from taco hell. Trust me!

[@lisaray6493]

Bet you were missing your Half Wit. I bought mine after seeing your videos and of my three, it’s the most used. Never have to screw with a punctured pad.

[@Michael-no6jw]

A little tid bit that my grandmother told me.don't wear hat's to much because you'll lose your hair early.I guess she was right because I'm now 61 years old with about 90% of my hair still on my dome,lol.thanks grandmother, miss you.

[@beamer6136]

I’ve been with ya a long time. I remember the video you did with some friends and he forgot his hiking shoes and he walked in work boots

[@voraciousblackstn]

Did a trip down to Hoosier National Forest and camped Saturday to Monday. Night hiked in while raining, Sunday was beautiful, Monday rained off and on, but mostly off. Had a great trip, not a hard hike, mainly just a chill in camp kinda trip.

[@fairwind3111]

I’m going to have to watch this twice so I can try to understand your pack weight vs what you pull out of it. Moonshine good and light , move screen and projector….what’s next

[@Michael-no6jw]

As soon as you said it's not going to rain, I'm feeling pretty good about that I knew yous were doomed. Never tempt mother nature. You put the hex on yourself.

[@HypnoticLasagna]

How did this tent perform in the humidity? Any condensation in the AM?

[@scottyplug]

Missed this one, somehow.

[@woodchip2782]

Loved it! Thank you. This year it’s impossible to go hiking because of multiple reasons (including COVID ), so I get my fill watching guys like you playing out there. Thanks very much!

[@bagariusyarrelli7142]

🖖

[@JimConnelley]

One word: Hammock.

[@Ch0razin]

Late July? I was there July 29th - 31st! One of the best trails in PA, I always recommend it when anyone asks about which ones to do.

[@LHer-gn8th]

Sintax77... thanks for bringing us. Alone with you'll. Enjoying. The 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

[@MAJJJJJJ]

So far that trail is well groomed . The fog looks great and all the greenery makes it that much nicer.

[@southernrockiesselfreliance]

Cheerio ✅🌀

[@lomino6478]

Great video as always! As I'm in the UK , most of the KZbin channels I watch are too....which made me think, which channels do you watch, any from the UK? All the best to you and your family, look forward to your next video 👍

[@paulblubaugh589]

This one brought back memories. Those campsites along Rock Run are awesome. They also make a great single overnight hike and camp if you park on Yellow Dog Rd. Too bad you missed the view from Sharp Top. I'm sure there would be people there if the weather was nice. I haven't been up there for a few years but you used to be able to drive up close to it. Love the way you document your trips. Thanks for sharing.

[@mdcrab1079]

Never been first before.

[@Twobarpsi]

1:04:46 Pennsylvania in all its beauty!!

[@danielcargill8019]

Is outdoor Vitals putting a office on the east coast? Another awesome hike. Where is Denali?

[@cynthiamgentles6781]

Best to camp with a portable electric bear fence. 2.4 lbs packed for huge peace of mind. Because you don’t want to feed the bears

[@brandontrowbridge5202]

But then you have to pack the generator to provide the electricity!

[@OutdoorOperator]

Great video as always. Would like to check this loop out. What weather band radio are you using?

[@RR2bhiking]

Hey, we just did OLP last week, and we were looking for you. Question...why tent this time, is it because Outdoor Vitals test?

[@ALORDW]

Dave was using OV’s thin pad. I have the short version (almost as long as my sleeping pad). It was a nice addition to my camping gear.

[@salmonfisher22]

Couldn't the wood floor put a splinter in the air mattress?

[@BenUDover]

Brush dem dere teef, my man!

[@mateuszk3210]

Hey, nice trip! I was testing Lanshan Pro 2 similar tent and the drops you had from rain reminded me of what I had on the inside in my perfectly pitched tent that is very similar, just single layer. What tent are you using? I think I am gonna try to sell that Lanshan I have, it's a disaster, when I slept in it I moved out to sleep in bivy next to tent cause water was dripping on my facet and it wasn't even raining.

[@tonyrome3119]

It’s only rain guys 😂

[@MarkSide_]

Late in July?! Summers ended lol.

[@BosomBuddyCreations]

Another nice video! Which direction seems "easier"?

[@cadleclan9]

Would you rate the Outdoor Vitals Dominion over a Nemo Hornet?

[@tysay8170]

Just wondering, do you take Bear spray with you?

[@jameshageman6244]

Hi, Dave. Where the heck is Mike and Disco?

[@robertfmccarthy2360]

Thanks ! Nice tent, I like it a lot. May do 2p though

[@OffBelay_]

In a tent? are you okay? lol Hope all is well man!

[@MegaSusanc]

Awesome as always! That was a nice tent, do they make it in a 4 person? The last spot where you camped was pretty cool. For large parties, it looked like you could put tents everywhere even hammocks. That's awesome. Nice seeing a video from you, I was getting a little worried, praying that everything was okay with y'all. Thank God everyone is good. Thank you for sharing this awesome adventure 😀 And Thank you for the hard work and time you put into these awesome videos. KEEP ADVENTURING GOD BLESS YOU 🤗HUGS🤗

[@beamer6136]

Why is everyone going to the ground?

[@richlove6546]

I was going into sintaxx 77 withdrawal.

[@NeilClay]

So was that counterclockwise?I am thinking of doing this trail when the leaves change

[@brandontrowbridge5202]

That was clockwise. Counterclockwise is better, in my opinion.

[@jeffmcelroy5437]

As an RDR2 player I was disappointed that you didn't check the inside of that stone fireplace for some gold nuggets.

[@steve8421]

So how was the cheeseburger?

[@AndyObusek]

What projector do you take on these trips?

[@AndyObusek]

omg im an idiot, just found it in your description, thanks! love your channel!

[@talkingtanooki9724]

What backpack is Dave using?

[@westinvader3]

Shadowlight 45

[@Joker52186]

How is trailslippee

[@MAJJJJJJ]

I really have to tell the two of that hiked all that way 17mile 5 miles you two are in great shape and looks like you still have energy to waist .do you take any suplements or drink enegy drinks or drink or injest anything from a vitamin shop

[@shabingly]

I'd be a bit careful "cooking" stuff in tins/packets; they tend to be lined or coated with a thin layer of plastic which might have stuff that can leach out, and you don't want too much of that in your body.

[@shabingly]

Also, beautiful: looked like a really nice meander!

[@SteveInsidious]

You could've held the sleeping pad under the water in the stream and found the puncture and patched it.

[@sintax77]

Excellent point and Dave and I did briefly discuss that. If the night time temps were lower, I definitely would have put some effort into doing that. But after that rain I got lazy and decided to just use the "reinflate every hour" method. 😅 The extra foam sit pad under my hips definitely helped as well.

[@SteveInsidious]

@@sintax77 Ah ok, great vid, really enjoyed it, sending greetings from London.

[@pechacekcp]

Sir, how well does the Garmin inreach work ?

[@rgmALC]

It’s a device that’s used by search and rescue and adventurers around the world. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for a KZbin camper

[@pechacekcp]

Yes sir. What I would like to know is how well the device Sintac77 is using works and if it is something that is reliable on the trail or not or if there is something else that might be better ???

[@arkangelnorthman]

BIG FOOT!!!!😅🤣😂

[@advanturecantstop901]

outdoorvitals says free pillow..never got it..outdoorvitals summit style negative 15 degree sleeping bag i use to and my ass got freeze..so finger down for their items..unhappy with their mummy summit style negative 15 degree sleeping bag, and i start use Nemi riff

[@lindabehrend4336]

DON’T TALK!!!