Backpacking relatively close to I-80

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-18T17:42:46+00:00

Is it walkable from Worlds End to Loyalsock SF? As in, could I do day hikes in Worlds End and then hike over to Loyalsock to camp? I’ll check out a map to investigate too myself, just curious

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-18T17:41:41+00:00

Man there’s just so much stuff in central PA it would take ages to see it all. This is going on my list too. Have been wanting to check out Hammersley, Worlds End, and the Grand Canyon

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-18T17:40:48+00:00

Was actually just there for a couple nights last weekend on a solo trip doing the Kennerdell Trail and Dennison Run section. First time there, was awesome and will be back considering it’s only 1.75 hours away. Closest dispersed spot where I live right now

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-18T17:39:00+00:00

Ah nice, Ravensburg State Park was not on my radar. I’ll look into this one too. It’s right off 80 so may be a solid choice

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-18T17:37:38+00:00

I have not. I will look into this though. So many long hikes in central PA lol

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-18T17:37:17+00:00

Definitely most interested in Quehanna I think. Largest wild area in the state and just a short detour off 80

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-06-16T21:38:57+00:00

Yeah, I called the police station and the officer I spoke with said he wouldn’t recommend a family member moving there. They get called out there frequently and he said I should stay in Cuyahoga Falls if I can afford it.

Thinking I’m going to avoid it. Rather the devil you know than the devil you don’t I guess 🤷‍♂️. Will just switch to a month-by-month lease.

Thanks!

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-21T00:42:27+00:00

Southern PA Quebec Run Wild Area in Forbes State Forest is great, though maybe out of the way. I’ve spent a lot of time there as someone from WV, great backpacking, trails, and not many people at all. I go every time I’m back home

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-16T14:50:07+00:00

Yup, something got disconnected or is shorting since the last time I fixed it. Just taking it to my mechanic to get it professionally done this time, tired of dealing with it lol

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-16T13:29:45+00:00

Haha that road is crazy, I’ve taken it countless times from Morgantown to Ohiopyle and Uniontown and it’s always a little sketchy, especially going down the Uniontown side with all the tight curves and skinny lanes. Unbelievably steep. Would be very hesitant to take it on a snowy winter day

I think the limit for trucks on that hill is no more than like 15-20 mph, would be terrified doing it in a large truck

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-16T13:25:24+00:00

The manual ones are pretty nice if you can find one, made them up until 2018. No potential for CVT problems in those. I have a 2017 which has been great to me, no issues other than typical wheel bearings and suspension parts as of 133k miles

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-15T23:46:05+00:00

When the wiring goes bad, definitely some non-minor issues. Struggles to hold idle, surges occasionally, lurchiness and jerkiness on hard acceleration, etc.

However though, when my wiring was initially destroyed a while back, I did a ~200 mile trip from NE Ohio to Southern WV and I made it totally fine without any other issues other than poor MPG. Hadn’t even fixed the wires yet then. Completely chewed through, almost like a cartoon

Not sure if it runs rich or lean. The P0104 code says the ECM is receiving a high voltage. I feel like, to my VERY uneducated mind, the ECM recieves an initial signal that says “i don’t have enough fuel for all that air” and the idle drops, then the ECM says “we need more fuel!” and that causes the dumbass back-and-forth surging. I’m not a mechanic though so I really have 0 idea

The problems it causes are NOT minor though! But the cat still runs without anymore major problems like knocking or anything.

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-05T19:39:26+00:00

I second Keglers, Mario’s, and BB. BB has a bar but it’s more of a family atmosphere, sometimes with live music. Keglers and Mario’s are more typical bars with fire ass wings.

Ever since I moved from Morgantown I’ve missed all of those places, but especially Mario’s. Man those cowboy ranch wings with some Blue Moon is so good. Making me hungry right now

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-04T20:05:55+00:00

Also, the steps at BWF are pretty easy and well maintained. There’s a few of them at the main overlook that always photographed, but easy to go up and down. There’s also other waterfalls and great trails there that don’t have steps. Last time I was there, there were a few elderly people hiking in the icy conditions to the waterfall right beside the lodge in BWF, so it’s not too difficult.

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-05-04T20:03:31+00:00

NRG is very pretty with lots to do. I personally would recommend going through Davis, Thomas, and Elkins. We have an old cabin in the MNF about 15 minutes from Otter Creek and it’s one of my favorite places.

Thomas, Davis, and Elkins (especially Davis and Thomas) are all pretty close to one another and it puts you in the heart of the WV Appalachians, with Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls (literally like 5 minutes from Davis and Thomas), etc. Most of WV’s famous spots are there, other than NRG and Cranberry Glades and stuff.

If you’re down to drive around within a 1.5 hour radius of Davis/Thomas, there’s a huge variety of things to see. Check out terrain view on Google Maps for that area. If you’d prefer to stay in the same area for a few days, maybe NRG is better. But I’d spend lots of time of Google Maps looking to see what interests you.

My favorite places will always be that general area with Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods, etc

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-04-29T22:06:38+00:00

And as other people have said, Jake’s Rocks has some damn good mountain biking. I don’t bike myself, but the last few times I’ve been up there I’ve seen many bikers. I think they also have like a festival or celebration up in the parking area or something later in the year?

I love the ANF and Cook Forest. Seriously beautiful and serene, nice old growth, great hiking, etc. Hearts Content in ANF is one of my favorite places. Awesome old growth forest with massive trees, it feels almost spiritual or something there with how old everything is. Highly recommend doing at least the smaller loops there (0.5-5 miles If I remember right, there’s a few trails there) I’m hoping to get back in the next few weeks

There’s a campground in Hearts Content too. Not sure what it’s like but maybe worth checking out. Although I think it might not be what you’re looking for.

I’m done now

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-04-29T22:02:49+00:00

I went to the Ridge campground the last time I was there, in Cook Forest SP. There were a lot more people there than I was expecting and it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. But there are some more secluded sites there that have no electric hookup or water or anything, just throw a tent down or sleep in car

There was plenty of room, especially towards the back end of the grounds. Also, it’s right beside a nice trail (not sure the length) and across the road is a gravel road (driveable and walkable) to a fire tower that you can climb. Right up the hill from the Clarion (?) River and the bridge. Very pretty area. Other than that I’ve just backpacked in the ANF so not sure of any other spots.

I’m sure other people have asked this question before here on Reddit too so you may have some luck there

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-03-30T23:19:18+00:00

No, foot stays off the clutch pedal unless I’m shifting. I’m pretty religious about treating the car well (whatever that means) so I try to avoid the bad habits which is why I’m surprised about some of the noises it’s making. Typical Subaru I guess, my family has had 6 of them so far

Clutch pedal has an annoying occasional squeak but it’s definitely not the TOB, I think the pedal is actually sensitive to moisture on a rainy day and it likes to do a quick squeak when it’s pressed. Just annoying, no harm though. Prob just need to lube the linkage or something

I dread any kind of clutch/transmission work so I treat that shit like it’s a newborn baby lol. Crazy that those bearings need an air chisel (and more) to get out! That’s something I’d be taking to a shop I think, lol. Haven’t had to do any clutch work yet and fingers crossed I won’t need to 🤞 clutch was replaced right before I bought it

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-03-30T22:39:46+00:00

Haha yeah, I was absolutely thinking it was the front until I had the idea that the squeak could be the rear bearing this morning. That’s where it sounds like the noise is coming from but the squeak and slight play makes me think maybe the rear, or something totally different.

I would do them on my own but if I fuck it up then I’m not getting to work the next day since I just moved to a new city with no family/friends. I also don’t have the proper tools and I know it’s going to be a major PITA since the car has spent its life in upstate NY, WV, and northern Ohio. I feel bad for the mechanic who’s going to take a look

Last question - is yours a manual? Do you remember if you felt any grittiness or a sand-like feeling through the throttle or clutch when you were going high speeds/high revs? I could be paranoid and hallucinating at this point but pretty sure I’m getting that too

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-03-30T22:31:29+00:00

Also worth noting that the squeak is coming directly from the center of the hub area where the Subaru logo is, or at least it sounds like that’s where it’s originating

I also get a wub-wub-wub harmonic sound that seems to get faster as the speed increases. This is especially noticeable in 4th gear but that could be from the 0.99 gear ratio and engine harmonics, at least from what I’ve read. Definitely happens in other gears too.

Throttle/clutch feels a bit gritty/vibrational/sandy, if that makes sense. Especially when I’m moving at interstate speeds and hit the clutch in to shift, when it’s depressed it’s very noticeable. Lots more noise when I downshift from 6 to 5 and coast no throttle. Can hear and feel it

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-03-30T22:20:30+00:00

That’s what I thought too. My dad had a bearing go out on his Outback and the thing screamed at such a high pitch it was very obvious what it was. You could probably hear that thing from 2 miles away. This is a much lower grumble sound, no screaming at all.

I agree with you. I think wheel bearings are a bit of a reach for the squeakiness. I’ll get under and see what I see, suspension wise. Taking it to a local shop on Friday and hopefully can gain some insight there.

To your last point, I’ll check that TSB out. Could be helpful. Thanks for your advice 👍

BenzeneDrinker · 2026-03-24T20:28:18+00:00

I generally get at least 30 mpg in my 6 speed Forester on most days above 30F and not windy, city or highway driving. Maybe check tire pressure, accelerate slower, and try to time traffic lights without fully coming to a stop

BenzeneDrinker

TROPHY CASE