The Pine Creek Rail Trail is one of Pennsylvania's destination trails, and for good reason. Make sure you go see the Grand Canyon of PA also it is really nice especially with the fall colors. We rode this trail from the north end, down 20 some miles. They are located less than a mile west of the Ansonia Access Area on Route 6. If you love PA waterfalls, you won't want to miss this waterfall book from Jim Cheney, author of Uncovering PA, featuring more than 180 great waterfalls. From Route 6 to Rattlesnake Rock/Blackwell. They have a covered porch outside, where you can eat their very delicious subs. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is groomed for xc skiing during the winter months. After the first few miles you will see few people, but the trail is perfect for miles! People friendly along the way. The trail extends 62 miles south from Wellsboro Junction to Jersey Shore in the adjoining Tiadaghton State Forest. It passes through several small hamlets and has trailheads at regular intervals. 4.7 (74 reviews) Free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in. Nuts everywhere - acorns, black walnuts and chestnuts. Stop and take a moment to enjoy the compelling structure and surroundings. Help spread the word. Pine Creek below Rattlesnake Rock is generally considered a Class II river, with fairly frequent rapids of medium difficulty, having . Had to bike on rt 44 to complete the trip. Visit Trail Website I kept shaking my rattle so he knew I was taking it easy on him. This is what most of the bike path looks like - tree lined on both sides for the majority of it. Although we continued to search for rattlesnakes, we never saw one after the first day! Rattlesnake Rock (19 miles). RIDING THE PINE CREEK TRAIL IN THE GRAND CANYON OF PA
BY PAT CODISPOTI
I cant remember the exact year that my husband and I began riding mountain bikes. One was with a turkey who decided to leave the side of the trail just as I was coming along. The main trail is orange-blazed, and several access trails that lead in from nearby roads are blue-blazed. This is along Pine Creek where critters, including eagles and bears, like to visit. Regardless of the flat it was a great day, great trip and with great views. From Williamsport, off of I80 and 180, rt.15 north has exits for Mansfield (to Wellsboro) or Liberty (to Morris / Blackwell). Public Property Records provide information on land, homes, and commercial properties in Cibolo, including titles, property deeds, mortgages, property tax assessment records, and other documents. When I filled a bottle at the Tiadaghton Campground, it was very dirty and seemed unfit to drink. This campground was simply gorgeous and we shared it with one other camper. We have found only a few other trails that even come close to matching the overall quality and experience of biking along Pine Creek. Thanks for stopping by! There are multiple areas to restock on fluids along the trail after Cedar Run south, but none North so also plan accordingly. The gravel requires more effort than asphalt, and the fact that it is almost completely level requires non-stop peddling, which gets tiring. Would recommend going in spring when creeks are flowing or fall for the . Rode it anyway and found it to be very scenic. Just beyond the swinging bridge, youll enter Leonard Harrison State Park. And.very friendly people. We started out at the Ansonia trailhead, where we left our car. While its not enough to coast, the slope does help to make things a bit easier traveling downstream, than if you were to start in the south and head north. From where to where Jim? One mile south of Water Tank Run is Stone Quarry Run. A formerly sedentary man rediscovers the outdoors. It must be breathtaking in the Fall. SR 44 arrives at Waterville, 1,450 feet below the surrounding ridgetops. The Pine Creek trail will spoil you rotten! My goal was to see how I could do time-wise with the entire route and I am happy with how I did. This trail is closed 2 hours before dark to ensure park guests do not get lost. Bob. This magnificant 62+ mile trail is one that should not be missed. Pine Creek Rail Trail. The park calls them the Fastest Route, the Easiest Route, the Ghost Town Route, and the Most Scenic Route. There are also several villages along the way and general stores where food and water is available. I rode the trail during the hottest days of the summer. I did this on my trusted old Mt Bike with a Town and County tire but as smooth as this trail is you sure could do it on a road bike with no problem. So I was resting there, soaking up some rays, conditioning the new skin Id shed the old coat, and all of a sudden I feel some water land on me. A handicapped accessible trail provides a leisurely trip to the vista. Finally made it to Pine Creek Rail trail on Sep 26th. I was riding a hybrid set of tires, and they were perfect for the trail conditions. They were working on extending the trail beyond Ansonia at the time. I always find it interesting that I see different things based on the direction I go on the trail. As you continue south from Cammal, it is 5.4 miles to Dry Run and then another 2.3 miles to the Waterville Access Area. On the opposite bank, Owassee Road parallels the trail for the next two miles. He took out a camera and took photos of me. This time I did not, and my memory is not that great! The so-called Fastest Route follows Interstate 15 South to NV Highway 160 West toward Pahrump, Nevada. Our first stop was at the Rattlesnake Rock Access Area and Comfort Station. It was a picture perfect day. The Pine Creek Trail is located in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The rail trail leads through open, sunny fields for about 8 miles along the southern terminus. Absolute gem! it is located directly across the rail trail from the path to the parking area. There are more than 2,000 miles of rail trails in Pennsylvania, but none may be more beautiful than the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Tioga County. Riverside Park, The Park The Trolley Built Between Milton & Watsontown. We did see a few kayaks but in August the water level in the creek was low. Some are surprisingly high-end with tennis courts in the back yard and beach areas along the creek. This bridge marks the end of the Turkey Path, a steep trail that climbs 800 feet in a mile. Pine Creek Rail Trail 5 204 #1 of 11 things to do in Wellsboro Biking Trails Hiking Trails Visit website Write a review About Suggested duration More than 3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. The views into Pennsylvania on Rattlesnake Mountain. The second day we had Pine Creek Outfitters shuttle us from Rattlesnake Rock to Ansonia and we biked back to our car (19 miles). 2 The Long Point Watershed, which includes Norfolk County, as well as sections of Elgin, Oxford, Brant and. The only con about starting from the southernmost entrance is there are some roads to crossover, so be very careful when doing so. You're awesome for doing it! Colorful birds are plentiful in the spring, especially Baltimore orioles and scarlet tanagers. The stretches with new gravel were a bit difficult, as we are so spoiled by Allegheny Valley and Sandy Creek, but the majority of the trail was very rideable on either bike, if not the asphalt we are used to. South of there, there are no stores or vending machines until you reach Blackwell. Horseback riding is allowed on portions of the trail. I was glad we didn't ride our road bikes as Hybrid were quite dusty and dirty from riding on the gravel. The Pine Creek Rail Trail was developed by the Bureau of Forestry on an abandoned railroad grade that parallels Pine Creek. A group of friends are very interested in doing a pack trip on horses, through the PA Grand Canyon in the spring of 2018. No towns along the way to resupply so you need to carry food. Deer, elk, wild turkeys, and black bears inhabit the area bound by the Tioga and Tiadaghton State Forests, and you might see river otters or beavers in the water and bald eagles or ospreys above. Follow the trail upstream for a few hundred yards to the base of this impressive waterfall. Big Cypress National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located in South Florida, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Miami on the Atlantic coastal plain.The 720,000-acre (2,900 km 2) Big Cypress, along with Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas, became the first national preserves in the United States National Park System when they were established on October 11, 1974. Rattlesnakes are attracted to these structures to hunt mice and other rodents. I chose this trail as my Daughter(grown woman with a family of her own) was accompanying me and this would be her first experience on a rail trail bike trip. It is a great trail if you are looking for an easy ride with low traffic, hardly any grade to speak of and wonderful views. Well done on maintaining this trail! I started seeing some ruins. Linda, Thanks so much for that information. I started in Jersey Shore and ended up with a 102 total mile ride. Mileposts make it easy to track your distance. I gave up after about 15 miles. This section will be closed effective now through October 30, 2020. From this point, you are only one mile north of Blackwell, a small community in the PA Grand Canyon. This is a very peaceful ride through the narrowest part of the canyon. There is the Waterville Hotel to eat at after the ride; their salads are unchallenged in taste and size plus their soups are surely homemade. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a fun family day hike or bike ride, and good exercise for all ages. So we left my vehicle at Jersey Shore and then my wife dropped me off at the beginning in Wellsboro. A really enjoyable trail with lots to see. Top ways to experience nearby attractions Again, thanks for all the valuable info. Cedar Run also has ice cream on weekends. I also enjoyed the ducks (Mergansers?) The second day we did the remainder of the trip which was about 32 miles or so to the Jersey Shore. On a blustery day, you may at times experience the wind actually pushing your bike uphill against the grade, and visa versa, perhaps inhibiting a coast. For 55 of its 62 miles it hugs Pine Creek, providing great views of dramatic rock outcrops and numerous waterfalls. We would hike around the Grand Canyon on our off riding days, with one day taking a day trip to the wine region of New York. But the way back is much easier. The trail is approximately 60 miles but can be broken into shorter day trips. The Pine Creek Rail Trail Guidebook tells you what you want to know about riding or hiking this highly acclaimed trail. It's a beautiful ride through one of the most scenic areas in the Northeast. However, for those looking for a taste of the best scenery in northern PA, you wont want to miss a fantastic day trip biking the Pine Creek Gorge through the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Plans are in the works to continue the bicycle path from Jersey Shore south to Harrisburg as part of the Greenways project extending from Buffalo, New York, to the Chesapeake Bay.Kerry Aucker570-398-1676". Starting at Slate Run, i went south to Jersey Shore, then the next day, i did the northern half (not bad for an old man). The closest road and parking area can be found at the Blackwell Access Area at the following coordinates: 41.556223, -77.381728. ", "What a beautiful ride! Both stores are very friendly to bikers. As has been noted this is a remote area, gods country so to speak, so come prepared. I rode the entire trail from Wellsboro Junction to Jersey shore and back over Labor Day weekend. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 18 h 40 min to complete. First time riding this. By then we had ridden 31 miles and the temperature was in the low 80s. Scenic forest vistas can have spectacular views, but they are particularly attractive to basking reptiles. Today, it is a campground run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Sitting 17.2 miles south of the Ansonia Access Area, the Blackwell Access Area is a great place to end your bike ride on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. The trail itself is small, packed gravel and is very well kept. While there is water available at several places, this water isnt tested for contaminants. Cedar Run was one of several quick stops on the way back to Slate Run. Often the creek is to one side, later in this stretch you are along a road for a good bit of the trip.. but it's mostly very similar to this. Most were on bikes. There you will see the Tioga Central Railroad and Pag Omar farm market. Logistic wise, we dropped off a vehicle at the Jersey Shore trail end (41 12.111'N 77 16.748'W) and drove to the start just off route 6 outside Wellsboro (41 47.320'N 77 18.551'W). EN. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! The 194-mile Cahaba, Alabama's longest free-flowing river, is special not just for its beauty, but its biodiversity. Deer are not the only animals we encountered of course the pinnacle of the trip was seeing a bear but we also saw many birds including blue hereon and Bald Eagles. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. We started at Cedar Creek Inn, a quaint (as in shared shower) B&B, which is just about halfway. The Trail Link Web site has great maps available for downloading. Take the Turkey Path trail at 3.5 miles past the Darling Run trailhead to enjoy waterfall views. The first 26 miles from Wellsboro Junction to Blackwell includes the entire PA Grand Canyon. My only issue was lack of water availability on the trail. My two daughters, 12 and 10, and I, just took our second overnight trip on the Pine Creek Trail. Don't stop on one with your front brakes - ask me how I know. this sounds like so much fun! Without a doubt, the upper third of the Pine Creek Rail Trail passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Pennsylvania. Take water/drinks and snacks in your panniers. There is sufficient room for horse trailers to maneuver and park. The section from Ansonia south to Tiadaghton contains a horseback riding trail next to the bicycling trail. There is lots of wildlife along this section of trail. The trail goes along Pine Creek through Pennsylvania mountains and cornfields - a very pleasant, scenic experience. Beautiful weather a little chilly. We stopped halfway for lunch at the Waterville Tavern and the kiddos played at the park adjacent to the restaurant. about 30 miles all together. The outside of the Cedar Run General Store. If you are there in the spring or fall where we have could nights but warmer days be prepared for the snakes who like to warm themselves on the trail. Went back this year, and with the exception of a two hour rain (this time i hid under a kiosk), the ride was perfect. Cell phones do not work along most of the trail due to the deep canyon and rural area. This trail is a must for the rail trail biker to visit. The morning was reasonably cool. To assist with the trip, I talked with Pine Creek Outfitters. Lodging Attractions Map Pictures. We spent the afternoon/evening at Slate Run, staying at the Hotel Manor and enjoying a great dinner on their deck. Both are really nice state parks with incredible camping and hiking trails. Such incredible views and scenery that you and your bike might wander right off the trail if you're not careful (I came close to doing this at least 3 times). About 3 am, a coyote made a howl in the campground adding a bit of excitement as it woke us both. This trail section is 8 miles long and now completes the 62 mile Pine Creek Trail. Maybe next summer entire trail (2 day trip for us) with stop at midway point. Continue 3.4 miles to Hilborn Fields and then 2.7 miles to Slate Run where there is a general store with supplies, yummy baked goods and fishing gear. Your one photo was Slate Run. Skipped the last part into Jersey Shore as I had read it was not interesting. Waterville Tavern has good food and rooms. Never has a car seat been as welcomed! My wife and I rode the southern end of this beautiful trail today. Park your bike here and take a walk up this amazing trail. There is also an inn at Slate Run Village, which is a little farther south than Cedar Run, which will allow you to ride about the same amount of miles each day. it is located directly across the rail trail from the path to the parking area. Rode the trail in segments Thursday through Sunday, mostly out and back except for one day from Ansonia to Cedar Run then a pickup by Pine Creek Outfitters. There was a wind from the SW at 10-15 mph so on some of the zig zagging of the trail there was a very strong head wind at times but it wasn't all day as it was on day 1. My Travel Nurse Proffesion allows me to ride on trails while on assignment across the U.S. Named when the region was swarming with snakes, it is now largely free of these vipers. (tie your food and trash up in a tree at night!) One thing I would like to point out: the southernmost trail entrance at Jersey Shore is NOT on route 220. It's not like that at all. I have seen comments that hybrid bikes are recommended. Horseback riding is allowed next to the trail but signs are posted for biking and horseback riding to keep horses off bike trail. PA Grand Canyon Trail Map (Large) Pine Creek Rail Trail Map. Seems like a short trip since we just finished riding 62 miles the first day and 58 the second day on the now completed Pine Creek Rail Trail. Pine Creek at 8.2 miles Ramsey Village at 8.4 miles Islands Islands in the Pine Creek at 9.6 miles Bench along the trail at 9.7 miles Bridge at 11.5 miles Ice Cream Just past the bridge is an access ramp to the parking lots of 2 ice cream shops. Several government offices in Cibolo and Texas . I hiked up to use different muscles. Guys were smoothing and steamrolling the trail to be hardpack. I'd put it in my top 3. we started at the Jersey shore end and went 15 miles, just a little past Dry run and then turned around. Next on our list of is a trail in West Virginia and 200 mile one in Missouri. No services. I am an avid rail to trail biker, and have biked on trails from Cape Cod to California. Share this checklist with other participants' eBird accounts. The inside of the hotel was beautiful and the free breakfast was very good. Along the way, waterfalls on Benjamin Hollow and Clay Mine Run are visible from the trail. All in all, 92 miles and a wonderful two days. There is also an old pump for water along the trail from the Jersey Shore trail head at one of the Comfort Stations but I don't remember how far along it is. Trail is closed till September 20th 2014 for gas line work mile marker 54 to 58. Trail traffic was minimal during my Friday afternoon ride sometimes going 5-6 or more miles without seeing another soul heading the opposite direction. We love this trail and have completed every mile at least twice. It just seems like so many people when on these rail-trails act as if they are the only ones on it. 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