Solo Thru Hiking Pennsylvania's Rugged Black Forest Trail

[@Imnotlostimexploring]

Looks like you made the best of the weather! This is a trip I’m hoping to complete over the summer.

[@perritohiker]

Great video! I've been watching a lot of your trips lately and getting jazzed to backpack more of PA this year. Thanks for sharing your experience. I know it takes work and time to document your trips. You do a great job.

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Thanks for watching, and I always think how lucky I am to be in PA. The amount and quality of backpacking trails here is amazing. Thanks for recognizing the work that goes into these kind of videos. I enjoy doing it but it does take a lot of time and energy so it makes me glad that people enjoy them.

[@patticarey9016]

That flat rock is slate, hence the name of the town, Slate Run. BFT was my favorite trail in PA!

[@backpackingadventures4813]

Great trip, even with the rain! I eat at that picnic table every time I do this trail. Can’t pass up a golden ticket. Vortex was smart considering the temps with the rain. That’s already a tough trail but the rain definitely makes it tougher. But it has the best views in PA. Excellent video!

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

That picnic table was a life-saver at that point with how my knee was feeling. The trail definitely helped me out with that one! Black Forest Trail really is one of the best trails. I love it.

[@jeremiahstich2403]

Great video man! One of the better BFT vlogs I’ve watched. As someone who’s done this trail a few times I can vouch that the camera doesn’t do the rapid elevation changes justice. It’s a tough trail in good weather, in the rain though, those rocky decents are so tricky. Next time check out the little spur trail before you drop into Little Slate Run, takes you to an old growth hemlock that is absolutely breathtaking. It’s only about 1/2 mile or less off the main trail, 100% worth it. Keep up the great videos!

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. I'll check the guidebook next time I do the trail and try to check it out. I'm not that great at identifying trees. I went to the hammersly once to see the hemlocks and I wasn't 100% sure I was looking at the right trees lol

[@jeremiahstich2403]

You can’t miss this tree! It’s the biggest tree I’ve personally ever seen in PA. It’s about 7.5 miles from the end, going the direction you went. I believe it is mentioned in the guide book, the little spur trail also shows on AllTrails.

[@stephenhiker9807]

Looked like a fun hike. Thanks for taking us along. The burger looked killer.

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

I was not expecting the burger to be that good! Haha

[@TakingOnTheTrail]

Great video! What a great adventure. Looking forward to giving this one a go in august

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Awesome! Enjoy, it's such a great Trail.

[@TakingOnTheTrail]

@@HikeIntoTheSunset you really made a great video of the trail though man. It was also cool to see what that short you made a few weeks back walking into that tree was from lol

[@darcyshikingdiaries]

Just found your channel and I'm a fan! This is a big goal of mine to do someday..

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

It's an awesome trail and one of my favorites for sure. I wouldn't recommend it right when your staring out though. Haha

[@lindyshikingbackpacking.6620]

This was so great to watch! My husband and I met you on the Morrison Rimrock trail. Love how you keep everything real especially when you hit the tree. Glad you weren't hurt! We laughed our asses off. You were hysterical! Anyone who backpacks knows what its like to fall on the trail. We will be doing this trail in 2 weeks. Can't wait!

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

I remember meeting you guys! I try to keep my videos realistic, anyone who has done much backpacking knows it's not all smiles and rainbows haha. I like to show the highs and lows, sometimes all you can do when you are having a tough time is laugh at yourself. Thanks for watching and have a great trip on the BFT, it's a true gem.

[@stoicodysseys6352]

Great video Derek. I just completed the BFT for the third time today after watching your video last week i got the urge to do it again. I laughed so hard when you ran into that tree. Not because of you actually walking into it but your analysis of what happened after 😂. I am pretty sure I passed under the same tree. Sometimes being shorter pays off. Awesome video. Although the BFT makes you pay for it, it rewards adventurers with spectacular views

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Yeah it was pretty hilarious and just so rediculous that would seriously happen. Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself. I love the BFT, one of my favorites for sure.

[@JoshuaCherwinski]

Thanks for making this, one suggestion if you could overlay distances when you speak that would be great!

[@jennsylvania1633]

Looks like an awesome trail and seeing a bald eagle is always an added bonus. Nice video! thanks for sharing.

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Thanks for watching

[@madelinesnyder9412]

When you ran into the tree I was cracking up! So glad you're ok though. But did you have a piece of tree bark stuck on your hat wheb you went into the restaurant? Hahahahaa. Glad it was a fun adventure and that Burger and Tots looked 🔥🔥🔥

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Yep I did. The lady in the restaraunt was looking at me weird and I wasn't sure why lol. I know I smelled but I didn't think that bad haha

[@venturefree.]

Nice man doing this trail again in fall once I'm fully recovered from my Achilles surgery

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

That's awesome. Hope you get all healed up from Achilles surgury. That sounds tough!

[@matthewdelange3694]

What Garmin watch do you use? And could you share any pros / cons? Love the channel! Keep up the awesome videos

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

Hey, I use the Garmin Fenix 6x pro. It's an awesome watch. I really never take it off. For everyday stuff it tracks everything health and sleep/calorie related. For backpacking you can upload free topo maps and follow tracks. I use it for gps yardage when I play golf also. It can do so much other stuff I never use. Battery life if phenomenal. You can get a 6x for half what the newer one is right now and I think that's a great deal. I'd say get the biggest size face you can, it might seem big at first but you will get used to it.

[@nicklubach]

Where did you get that map from? Thanks

[@HikeIntoTheSunset]

It comes with the black forest trail guide book.

[@liamlynch2115]

Food is out of reach from bears but hammock is not 😬