Thoma Lookout ...

[indiana hiker]

And Pete, your estimate of the trail being about a mile up the old road is about right. I can't really remember, but we hiked a short ways, ten to fifteen minutes and the trail goes off to the right.

[indiana hiker]

Ok Pete, I found my scratched notes from a couple of years ago. I clocked trailhead 18 as this. Drive 4 miles past the marking for TH 15. At this point turn onto 114A and travel 1 1/2 miles to the berm that stops vehicle travel. As I stated before, I think you hike ten or fifteen minutes from this area to the trail that goes off to the right. I try to be as accurate as I can, but that isn't always real accurate! Hope this helps instead of adding confusion.

[PeteE]

Hey Thanks!
I have to run this AM but it looks like we are going to park where Jen and Matt did...and use the route Matt labeled "Could have gone this way" if you look on Jen's TR thread.
I remember driving up 114A years ago when hunting one year. Seems it is kelly humped where Jen and Matt parked?
And so you walk past the kelly hump till you find TR#18 going off to the right hand side?
I'll find it, no worries. I love this sh*t
i'll check here once more before I go today.
Gotta work a bit

THANKS

pete

[indiana hiker]

Yes Pete, that sounds like the spot. Just keep an eye out for the trail. Was a rock cairn there, but it was small and with the weeds we went right by. I remember at some point on the trail there was a fork and we headed to the lookout. It was posted as to the trail names, so you should have no trouble. IF the sign is still there!! Have fun and report back.

[indiana hiker]

Just saw the map posted by Matt. Where he states, "could have went this way", that is the trail.

[PeteE]

The for confirming the route! I'll get GPS numbers and pics of junctions, etc. I'll post Al that Sat. When I get back.

Pete

[Jen]

The for confirming the route! I'll get GPS numbers and pics of junctions, etc. I'll post Al that Sat. When I get back.

Pete

That will be quite helpful for my next attempt at Thoma.

[scott-atl]

thanks pete. really appreciate all you do for those inclined to go off trail.

[PeteE]

thanks pete. really appreciate all you do for those inclined to go off trail.

Hery Scott:

Thanks. I enjoy helping out when and where I can.
The National Forest doesn't always keep up with things like sign maintenance, most likely due to budget choices.

Not much "off trail" on the Mt Hefty hike, or I don't consider it off trail. There are places where the trail is quite distinct and places where there is no trail.
That said, in the places where there is no trail, the "path forward" should be pretty obvious.

But then I know there are folks who have a lot of trouble when it comes to stuff like that.

My best advice for people who want to improve their route finding skills is---get out and practice your route finding.
Learn by "doing".

Times and the culture in the 50's and 60's were far, far different than now days.
I heard it more than once, "Get out of the house and go find something to do".
From the time I was a boy of 10 until I was 15, I was always out "exploring" on my own, or with a buddy.
Feral hogs and poisonous snakes be damned; I had my trusty Remington single shot bolt action .22 rifle.
We were always riding our bikes out to explore the "boonies" on the fringes of the little central Florida town I grew up in.
We never got lost. Getting lost never occurred to us LOL!!
Best be home by dinner time though.
I wonder if those times had something to do with my Mom's gray hair?

Basic route finding would be a good topic someplace on the chat

Cheers and we'll do something next time you're out here.

pete