FKT: Andrew Piotrowski - Appalachian Trail through Michaux State Forest (PA) - 2021-11-13

Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
9h 21m 52s
GPS track(s)
Report

I am training for my first 100miler and I wanted to give this route a shot as a training run. I had my mother In-law drop Me off at RT16 in Waynesboro and I got running right at 6am. Michaux is absolutely beautiful and the route passes over or past many ridges, creek crossing, and shelters.The night before I had a large debate around what to pack given the “perfect for hypothermia” forecast. I ended up packing some additional safety gear such as a light puffy, lots of orange (hunting season), small SOL bivy, spare socks, tights, and I switched my wind breaker to a hard shell. It pushed my pack over 12lbs. However I am very happy I did. Around mile 17 the rain started falling and with temps in the lower 40s things got cold fast. I ended up running 10+miles in heavy rain and I even got snowed on a bit near there Birch Run Shelter. The rain finally stopped as I got close to Pine Grove furnace and I was able to switch into my dry layers. I filtered water throughout the course and carried very little with me. After some fast miles on familiar trails I passed the Tag Run Shelter and met my wife and infant at Pine Grove Road. Great day in the woods! My miles came in slightly different which I attest to GPS accuracy, the route is very simple to follow.

Comments

Hey Andrew. I’m headed to Michaux on Monday morning to take on this FKT. Your map and write up has been super helpful! I live just south in Frederick, and am not super familiar with much of this section past Caldonia but can’t wait for a great day in Michaux.

 

Hope all is well, we’ll see if I’ve got the juice for this!