Section 18 - PA 287 near Antrim to US 6

Alerts: 

Notes on water sources in this section:

• Just north of Rt 287 - Sand Run water source (stream from mostly forested watershed) and shady spot on private land along the roadwalk. See a waterfall on Sand Run (not the same Sand Run as the Sand Run Falls in Tioga State Forest further "north") and read the site history on laminated info provided by the family. This is newer than the guidebook.

• Antrim- Trail now (newer than guidebook) directly passes Duncan Tavern, well known local bar/restaurant. Municipal water is but one of the liquids here.

• Rock Run - where MST crosses, this is Wellsboro municipal watershed and water flows only from the protected watershed. Private land, no camping.

• Robinson Steele Run - usually running through this glade, will dry up late in a dry summer. Where MST crosses this is State Forest - water flows only from the protected municipal watershed to the north, across the warrant line.

• Nickel Run - perennial Exceptional Value and Wild Trout stream. Forest grew back to what Nessmuk knew in the 1850's when he frequented this area.

• Landrus- seeps across Trail come from the mined area. Babb Creek below (yellow blazed side trail out to Landrus Road with wet feet crossing) is below some mined area but much diluted from forest and a few farm fields.

• Rattlesnake Creek – flows only from forest

• Babb Creek – where MST crosses in Sec 18 is above any mined area, downstream of houses, farms, and forest.

• Sand Run at Falls – mostly forested watershed, not mined, but dogs often run loose in the plunge pool, probably better to take from the actual MST crossing which is up from the falls around the bend.

• Upper Sand Run – swampy where MST re-crosses on road, hard to get at

• Dyke Creek, small perennial branch of Sand Run – though there are a few hunting camps upstream of where the northbound MST hiker crosses the last stream in State Forest, this is probably the cleanest and most reliable water source to the northbounder until reaching the water taps at Hills Creek State Park.

• Intermittent stream to beaver meadow near Radar Cliff – forested watershed on private land

• Elk Run 3x on roads – larger but more impacted by farm and septic runoff each time going north, hard to get at.

• Whispering Spring- The draw by the signed spring spot is likely to have the best water quality as it emerges on conserved land, hay fields not pasture above. The next draw to the north flows from a neighbor's junk pile.

• Wimbrough campsite (closed Oct-Jan) - This stream usually runs but filter and disinfect it as there is livestock upstream.

• North Elk Run between Rt 660 and Rt 6 – perennial, but flows only from farms and homes, filter and disinfect.

The off road route around Antrim will NOT be able to be re-opened. The road route through Antrim climbing the mountain with the landfill trucks, described in the 12th and now the 13th editions and Guthook, is the trail. Now orange blazed. (10/18; 7/19)

New water source and register box in shady spot on private land along the roadwalk, just north (within 100 m) of Rt 287 on the bottom of the hill up to either Antrim or the Haunted Vista depending on your direction. See a waterfall on Sand Run (not the same Sand Run as the Sand Run Falls in Tioga State Forest further “north” on Sec 18) and read the site history on laminated info provided by the family. Additional historic info here. From the road, look for the "NOTICE Restricted Area" sign and walk directly back in. (7/19)

MST has been rerouted in downtown Antrim to go around the old stone church the other way. Let's face it, if you're a long sectioner or thru you're going to the Duncan Tavern anyway, so it's now directly on the trail. Adds 0.19 km to the length of Section 18. The tavern is the former payroll office (not "company store" as the Guide book says), and has a full menu (not just "light food"). (7/19)

Antrim - A generous Trail neighbor is allowing hikers to stay one night in a dry grassy patch at the end of a mowed lane behind the old mule barn for the Antrim coal mines, next to a shooting platform used by the neighbors occasionally. Choose the side of the platform wisely to set up your tent and be gracious to the neighbors. Nearest source of hydration is the Duncan Tavern 0.4 km south. Marked only by blue blazes, no signs. (7/20)

NB km 11.59 - Poem by Nessmuk "Mickle Run Falls" posted here. The yellow blazed path descends to an area where it is believed America's literary woodsman of the late 19th century had a winter camp in the 1850's. A later constructed but now long abandoned railroad bed alongside Babb Creek offers a couple of campsites. It is 1.3 km downhill to the swimming hole and as far back up.

NB km 16.62 - Tioga State Forest crews placed bridges over Rattlesnake Run and Babb Creek. There is no bridge over Sand Run as yet, though, so the high water route remains an occasional need. (1/21; 8/23)

Tokarz Rd up Haverly Hill Rd is now orange blazed. (7/19)

Hunting lessee requests that hikers in Oct, Nov, Dec, and May wear blaze orange on the "Radar Cliff" tract between Haverly Hill Rd and Hickory Ridge Rd. It's a darn good idea anywhere on MST in these months. (7/19)

Between Miller Hill Rd and PA 660 - Parts closed Oct 1-Jan 31 for hunting. (4/09, 5/15, 9/23) Detour route around hunting season closures now yellow blazed along the road. (8/14)

No camping is, or will be, available at Whispering Spring. (7/19)

US 6 crossing now a slight left-hand jog, rerouted around washed-out stream crossing. (12/17)

See 13th Edition guide, newly printed Map 312-318, and temporary map  revision linked above.