We began our third hike of 1996 at the same parking area on Brunnerdale Road from which we had previously hiked to Kettle Creek. This time, we hiked east to west as the trail guide reads, more precisely, southward to southwestward on this segment. To reach our starting point in the Ogdonia Creek valley, we took PA Route 87 to Ogdonia, near Camp Lycogis, then turned right onto gravel Ogdonia Road. Approximately 3 1/2 miles down Ogdonia Road, it has a T or Y intersection with Brunnerdale Road to the left. The LT also intersects at this point and the trail markers are visible along Brunnerdale Road. In 1/4 mile, the road crosses Ogdonia Creek and there is a parking area on the left.

The weather this day was mild for late July as far as temperature, with a slight mist or drizzle as we began hiking. The LT began by retracing Brunnerdale Road to the Ogdonia Road intersection at mile 21.82. It turned left, across Ogdonia Road into the woods, and began a somewhat steep climb, shortly becoming a moderate but constant climb, which lasted for nearly two miles. At that point, we had gained over 800 ft of elevation and had reached the highest point on the LT at 2140 ft. This ascent through the woods was relatively moderate because it followed an old woods road, the old Genesee Road.

We were disappointed that the highest point at mile 19.92 did not have a "coffee can lid" sign. The peak is somewhat broad and flat and it was difficult to determine the exact high point at mile 19.92. Similarly, the LT crossed the line from Sullivan County into Lycoming County at mile 19.75 without any announcement. We would recommend that the Alpine Club sign both of these spots.

Aimee found the segment beginning at mile 19.65 to be the most interesting of any of our LT hikes. Mike's diametrically opposed opinion was that he didn't need to drive to northern Pennsylvania to walk down a gravel road. Unfortunately, he had the camera, and as a result, none of the interesting and historical man-made landmarks were photographed. These included an old cemetery at mile 19.48, roads to Camp Genesee and Crystal Lake Camp, an interesting building with stained glass windows, several other large buildings, and many houses or cabins. The trail guide identified several of these, including the Wind Whistle Inn and the building with the stained glass which was the casino of the Essick Hotel which burned in 1916. At mile 19.00, the LT left the gravel road, paralleling it along a dirt road which rejoined the gravel road at mile 18.25. We stopped for lunch at that point and returned by doubling back on our original route.

In 2004, Mike and Maria returned in August to hike the segment from 19.00 to 18.25 as part of a short hike ending at mile 15.45.  Directions for reaching the starting location at mile 19.00 by car are given on the page describing the segment from mile 15.45 to mile 18.25. 

This 3/4 mile segment of the trail parallels the current gravel Genesee Road, running behind the same houses and buildings for which the road runs in front.  This time Mike did manage to get some photos.

Later the same year, Mike and Maria again began at mile 19.00 next to the casino of the Essick Hotel.  This time they hiked along the gravel road segment in the eastward direction, passing the road to Crystal Lake Camp, rising to the high point of the LT, then descending 840 ft over the final two miles to the point where they'd left a car at the intersection of Ogdonia and Brunnerdale Roads.  Normally the parking area is about 1/4 mile further along Brunnerdale Road, but a construction project had required a road closing and a temporary rerouting of the LT in the vicinity.  The project was scheduled to run from August to October, 2004, so presumably the LT detour has ended and cars should once again be parked at mile 22.08.

Footnote: When Mike proposed rehiking some segments of the trail after Maria was born, Aimee suggested forgetting those and instead rehiking this segment because it was relatively easy and very interesting. The 2004 trip was an interesting compromise -- Mike and Maria got to hike, and Aimee got to see several of the points of interest as we drove along the Genesee Road in the car to drop off Mike and Maria.