Black Forest Foliage
Experience the many colors of PA Wilds by joining Wild Roots for a backpacking trip during peak foliage weeks! Featuring Slate Run, slate quarry vista, and what I like to call the “hoodoo” vista, you are guaranteed a feast for the eyes. HUGE thank you to PA Trail Dogs, who spend loads of time maintaining this route.
About the Trip
Located in Tiadaghton State Forest, this backpacking route is an ~15 mile loop trail connecting the southern sections of Black Forest Trail via Old Supply Trail. Each day we will have at least one long, significant assent, a few shorter accents, and some technical terrain (rocky, rooty footing). Total elevation gain over the 2 days is ~2,800 ft. Considering the shorter daily miles, elevation gain, and terrain this trip earns the difficulty rating of “moderate”. Although its a “2 day, 1 night” trip, Wild Roots will be reserving a primitive camp site locally for anyone who wants to drive up Friday night and be onsite for an early Saturday morning start. This is a great and final opportunity to get settled into your camping gear with a car nearby for comfort. An early Saturday start should leave us some time on Sunday to grab grub nearby! The post hike dinner is a great way to cap & commemorate your experience with others.
Sign up and/or share with a friend via links below!
Quick Facts
- When: Saturday, Oct 14th & Sunday, Oct 15th 2023
- option to camp locally Friday night
- Where: Tiadaghton State Forest/Slate Run area
- Who: women who are looking for an adventure, or want to learn about backpacking
- What: a 2 day backpacking trip. Everything you’ll need will be on your person, and we will camp 1 night in the PA Wilds enjoying the sounds of nature and company of other adventurous women.
- Why: through individual experience & community, cultivate a sense of confidence and competence while enjoying Mother Nature and the lessons she provides. I can’t imagine a better way to showcase Pennsylvania’s wild flaming foliage!
- Registration: $220/person
What you'll learn
- Leave no trace principles
- How to store food in the backcountry (PCT bear-bag hang – and other options)
- Respecting, appreciating, and staying safe amongst wildlife
- Packing a balanced backpack, and choosing gear that is right for you
- How to complete your own shakedown – what to bring, what not to bring
- How to support your fellow backpackers along the journey
- Your own strength!
Hope to see you at the next one!
Trip Gallery
Quick Facts
What you'll learn
- When: Saturday, Oct 14th & Sunday, Oct 15th 2023
- option to camp locally Friday night
- Where: Tiadaghton State Forest/Slate Run area
- Who: women who are looking for an adventure, or want to learn about backpacking
- What: a 2 day backpacking trip. Everything you’ll need will be on your person, and we will camp 1 night in the PA Wilds enjoying the sounds of nature and company of other adventurous women.
- Why: through individual experience & community, cultivate a sense of confidence and competence while enjoying Mother Nature and the lessons she provides. I can’t imagine a better way to showcase Pennsylvania’s wild flaming foliage!
- Registration: $220/person
- Leave no trace principles
- How to store food in the backcountry (PCT bear-bag hang – and other options)
- Respecting, appreciating, and staying safe amongst wildlife
- Packing a balanced backpack, and choosing gear that is right for you
- How to complete your own shakedown – what to bring, what not to bring
- How to support your fellow backpackers along the journey
- Your own strength!
Popular Questions
Backpacking FAQ
To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “sign up” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment.
Payment received + initial consultation completed = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!
- Scheduling a consultation with Wild Roots to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip
- Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Events page)
- Packing food (minus 1 dinner provided by me)
- Clothing & shoes
- Gear (some rentals available)
- Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
For safety reasons, Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page.
Ruck Days are my version of a shake-down or practice hike. Essentially, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-6 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). WRG provides group Ruck Days for you to practice and meet others with guidance. Check out our Ruck Days on the Events page. It is included with your backpacking trip cost!
Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:
- 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
- 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)
These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule.
- Experienced guide, certified in wilderness first aid & CPR
- Ruck Day (1)
- Initial consultation
- Gear/Packing List via Google Sheets
- All logistics planned for you
- A map of your trip route
- Group first aid kit
- 1 dinner/cooked meal
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Schedule an initial consultation
- Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
- Ask about rental gear
- Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience
This is a great topic to cover during the initial consultation, which is required before your backpacking trip. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. Consultations are either included in your trip cost, or $35/hour if you are not yet registered. You can apply the $35 to future registration.
First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling is right.
Also, the initial consultation is a great time to access your readiness for any adventure. There are plenty of people who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, others may need a little time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!
Popular Questions
BACKPACKING FAQ
To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “sign up” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment.
Payment received + initial consultation completed = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!
- Experienced guide, certified in wilderness first aid & CPR
- Ruck Day (1)
- Initial consultation
- Gear/Packing List via Google Sheets
- All logistics planned for you
- A map of your trip route
- Group first aid kit
- 1 dinner/cooked meal
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Scheduling a FREE Initial Consultation with Wild Roots to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip
- Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Events page)
- Packing food (minus 1 dinner provided by Wild Roots)
- Clothing & shoes
- Gear (some rentals available)
- Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
- Schedule a FREE initial consultation
- Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
- Meet with Wild Roots for additional consultations, $35/hr (optional)
- Ask about rental gear
- Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience
For safety reasons, Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page.
This is a great topic to cover during the FREE initial consultation, which is required before your backpacking trip. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. Additional consultations are also available at $35/hour, often completed virtually over a video conferencing platform.
Ruck Days are the Wild Roots version of a shake-down or practice hike. Essentially, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-6 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). WRG provides group Ruck Days for you to practice and meet others with guidance. Check out our Ruck Days on the Events page. It is included with your backpacking trip cost!
First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling is right.
Also, the free initial consultation is a great time to access your readiness for any adventure. There are plenty of people who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, others may need a little time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!
Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:
- 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
- 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)
These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule.
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Testimonials
what our hikers say
Testimonials
what our hikers say
Testimonials
what our hikers say
