I’m in ,but I live and hike the mountains of western Pa. barefoot. I tried to get a group together in this area a few years ago and got nothing. The closest group to me is in central Ohio. You may have better luck in your area.
Barefoot would have to be where there's no sharp rocks or other things to puncture a foot in case of a mis-step (for many of us). Better would be a naked hike where foot protection is optional.
Have you done the Laurel Highlands Trail? Also please remember there are timber rattlesnakes in Western Pa. Big ones. I've seen people almost step on them on various trails. They are 35 to 60 inches long. Also copperheads, 24 to 36 inches long. There's also one called the eastern massasauga in limited areas.
We used to party at Linn Run, climbed the fire tower, etc. Probably not there any more. A girl I was with almost stepped on a rattler on the Wolf Rocks trail at Linn Run.
There’s no fire tower back along the Wolf Rock Trail but there is supposed to be one on the opposite side of the access road up into that area. And yes you have to watch for the rattlers and copperheads..
Snakes usually don't stick around for people to get close to them hiking a trail. They slither off for cover leaving the trail clear while perhaps there could be exceptions so yet another reason to watch where we walk. Trail riding with a friend, he was ahead and unknowingly hit a snake's tail. That thing coiled up real quick for combat and I'm heading right for it. I cranked the throttle and thought if you can strike me at over 60 mph and then get your teeth through my riding gear, you deserve the victory.
I've encountered at least four or five on hiking trails or sunning on a lookout rock. Also ran into a snake ball rolling across a trail one time, but they weren't poisonous.
Never encountered a snake on the trails yet. Even after all of the years hiking barefoot. I heed the warnings though.
Something else you need to be wary of when hiking barefoot is a black bear. You are very quiet when your barefoot. Your feet don’t make that “clomping” sound if you step on rocks or tree roots. If the bear is upwind they cannot smell or hear you. They’re don’t like surprises. And if they have cubs- oh fuck!
