A short story of my first encounter with an Eastern Timber Rattlesnake, told from the snake's point of view. Timber rattlesnake resting on a rock about 20 feet off the Pine Creek Rail Trail just north of Morris, PA. JOSEPH W. SMITH III Pine Creek seen from the bucolic Tiadaghton picnic area, where the author and his wife stopped to eat their packed lunch. Even if you arent camping at Tiadaghton Campground, this is still a great place to stop. It is very flat, and you can expect to pedal most of the time. It passes through several small hamlets and has trailheads at regular intervals. The family and I walked a couple miles of the trail up on the north end by Ansonia last year. Cabin 8.4 mi to Pine Creek Gorge. This roadway gives access to the western banks of the creek for some beautiful cabins, fishermen, and those wanting to visit the seasonal Chimney Hollow Falls. My wife and I agreed that we will someday come back to camp at this spot. The Pine Creek Rail Trail runs along route 414 through this section, 1.8 miles to Black Walnut Bottom, a nice pull off, park and picnic spot along the creek, then 2.7 miles to Ross Run and then 3.1 miles to the Cammal Comfort Station. Old railroad bridges with wooden decks, when wet are slippery. The 62-mile well-maintained trail runs at the bottom of berscenic Pine Creek Gorge, commonly called the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Rode the trail from Ansonia to Slate Run then down to Jersey Shore in 2 days, used Pine Creek outfitters for shuttle, very efficient. Parking was limited at the Blackwell trail head. My group of friends and I will be doing our annual 100k the end of June! On three occasions I had to motion or yell at oncoming riders to keep right. Your one photo was Slate Run. I was going for a endurance ride wanted to do my first ever 100 miler. The overnight at the Cedar Run Inn was an unexpected treat! The surface was densely packed fine gravel the entire way without a single hole or rut. My friends were a bit less experienced riders and began feeling the ride. Mileposts make it easy to track your distance. 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. My assessment is the trail was extremely well designed and thought outthere seemed to be more than adequate facilities, parking areas, with well marked signagewe used the trail mainly for several runsfrom Blackwell to Rattle Snake Rock parking area, and from Blackwell north for roughly 15:00 minutes at an average pace. You were correct. This parking area is also the starting point for the Bohen Falls Trail on . In addition to traditional shuttles, one service that Pine Creek Outfitters offers is to shuttle your own vehicle to your pickup point. Unfortunately we failed to spot any wildlife, but the streams feeding into Pine Creek were quite picturesque. As locals, we've explored all segments of this trail. This section is mostly shaded with numerous restrooms along the way and another spot for food and water. The only trouble we encountered was just south of Blackwell street traffic is directed onto the trail due to a road construction project. Excellent! Definitely will be coming back in the Fall to enjoy the spectacular color along the trail. They also had ice cream, which made my daughters happy. While this trail is a little overgrown at the rail trail, it is easy to follow as it travels above the creek along the ridgeline. A trail heads upstream from just past the bridge over the creek. Jersey Shore PA trailhead is a great starting point, Waterville and Blackrock are also good parking areas. Easiest 19 miles ever and nice. We have done this trail twice now staying at the Petticoat Junction camp ground doing the south in one day and the north end the next. I was very fortunate to get the chance to go there by myself in September 2005, thanx to my lovely wife who was willing to watch the kids back home and enable me to do something I always wanted to do, bike camping. Expect to see a number of people kayaking and making their way down the creek. A designated The best place to stay before your trip is at a hotel in Wellsboro, PA. During my visit, I was invited to stay at the Canyon Motel. We saw lots of wild life, the deer are use to people as we would pass by them on the trail they would just continue eating paying us no mind. Take a right on Alleghany Street and then a right on Bridge Street. Pine Creek Outfitters near Wellsboro offers shuttle services. But we were not wet (no rain) and no breakdowns! I rode the Trail solo 62 mi to Wellsboro Jct. Premier Host. The Pine Creek Rail Trail travels more than 60 miles through the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, also known as the Pine Creek Gorge. This was the last place we saw to buy food/drinks before Waterville - although there are "comfort stations" every few miles, so there's no shortage of bathrooms along the way. All 63 miles of this wonderful trail are open and were biked in 2 days and an afternoon with wife driving shuttle allowing one way biking downhill. We found this chart of times and distances on the Pine Creek Outfitters website: Starting at Wellsboro Junction gives you an additional. Get to know this 16.8-mile loop trail near Dauphin, Pennsylvania. The trail is perfect for those looking to log miles and get exercise. Popular with fishermen. To experience this trail is worth the drive. about 27 miles from Jersey Shore. The Pine Creek Rail Trail was developed by the Bureau of Forestry on an abandoned railroad grade that parallels Pine Creek. Never attempt to pick up a snake, even if it appears to be dead. Big birds, rabbits, chipmunks, deer, ducks, snakes and one bear. So I had another 5 miles to ride on well traveled roads that are not marked to get you into town. Very level trail with nice scenery along the way. Linda. Horseback riding is allowed on portions of the trail. We love riding all of the trails in Western PA There are about 12 other ones besides the GAP trail that are long enough for a full days ride. The river claims more native fish species 128 than any other river of its size in North America, according to the Cahaba River Society. / The Trail Link Web site has great maps available for downloading. If water levels are high, this creek is impressive as it cascades 75 feet or so down the hillside. When we arrived at Slate Run, we went into the Hotel Manor to say good bye and hopped in the car to head for home. There are 4 different routes to Death Valley from Las Vegas that travelers can take. PA Grand Canyon Trail Map (Large) Pine Creek Rail Trail Map. Then take a left at the next light onto Railroad Street. This section of the trail is not as shaded so we were glad it was cooler and there were more clouds that day. The service is fairly good quality crashed rock along the trail. My son and I rode the trail together August 13th and 14th 2017. We stayed at the Falling Farms B&B just outside of Wellsboro. We rode from the Ansonia access to Turkey run. This one is tops--wide, flat, superb surface and outstanding scenery. To reach the southern trailhead in Jersey Shore from I-180 W, stay on US 220 as I-180 ends in Williamsport (past mile marker 29). It has recently been found in Pine Creek. The trail is very well maintained and smooth. Here are several choices for Many of the creeks south of this area feature beautiful waterfalls. We had rain jackets with us, which helped. About 4 miles from there is Little Pine State Park which has a nice campground and lake. I constantly got slowed down by people riding side by side, instead of single file. Ive only done half the trail, but it entirely depends on how fast you bike and how many stops you make. EN RU CN DE ES. We had a wonderful dinner and breakfast at the Cedar Run Inn, joining friends who stay there annually for a canoe weekend. Don't stop on one with your front brakes - ask me how I know. That made our day complete. We used Hotel Manor in Slate Run as.our overnite stay. Overall, this trail is great and worth the drive to Jersey Shore for a ride. Follow the trail upstream for a few hundred yards to the base of this impressive waterfall. Only surpassed by the GAP trail, Pine Creek is the 2nd best rail trails in PA (IMHO). The first one we took was in August 2012 and we just took another one this past weekend, 2-3 August, 2014. The only con about starting from the southernmost entrance is there are some roads to crossover, so be very careful when doing so. My wife and i visited to Wellsoboro area in August, 2007. I will return. Cedar Run was one of several quick stops on the way back to Slate Run. The ride down the trail back to Jersey Shore on day 2 was much easier. While some others commented on discourteous riders, we ran into none. There are some good places to eat in the area I highly recommend the The Burnin' Barrel Bar along Route 6 just before the turn off to rt 362 that goes to the Darlin run parking area. Well maintained. The timber rattleris a protected species in Pennsylvania, and found mainly in the central and western mountains of the state. His proper name isCrotalus Horridus, but this one prefers to be called Doug. That's trip 2 for us. The elevation at Jersey Shore is 655, Slate Run 715, Blackwell 875, Tiadaghton 1150 and the Wellsboro trail head is 1195. so there is not much of a grade on your trip north. This is one awesome trail. Friday 10-14 we started at the northern end off 287 north of Wellsboro and rode to mile marker 10. The trail is used primarily for bicycling, walking, and cross-country skiing. Although we were actually riding uphill, the grade is only about 2% and barely noticeable. We rode our Hybrid bikes July 4th weekend. Once again we met a lot of people (and dogs) enjoying the trail either on foot or bike. The trail continues along Pine Creek and runs adjacent to Route 414 and 44. There is something for everyone in the Pine Creek Gorge, you can bike, hike,walk,jog,horseback riding,fish and go camping. I spent 3 days riding this trail in October, logging 95 miles. If you have your own bike, one great option is to have them shuttle your car to your finishing point. When I first read about this stretch of the trail, I read that it was along the road and I pictured something very different - more like riding the path in Williamsport. The access point at Anconia needs to be marked on Rt. Diane. THIS TRAIL IS NOT A LOOP. The room rate includes dinner and breakfast. O and there were very friendly bikers all along the trail. Named when the region was swarming with snakes, it is now largely free of these vipers. The views into Pennsylvania on Rattlesnake Mountain. You will need sun screen as there are a few long stretches with no canopy at all. The northern most terminus is at Wellsboro Junction. Great trail. Overall it is a perfect ride. Pine Creek Rail Trail ~ Rattlesnake Rock Access to Black Walnut Access. Our first time on crushed limestone! Along the way, waterfalls on Benjamin Hollow and Clay Mine Run are visible from the trail. We stopped halfway for lunch at the Waterville Tavern and the kiddos played at the park adjacent to the restaurant. The trail surface was good on the northern end, with very little rolling resistance. Had to bike on rt 44 to complete the trip. At Slate Run I heartily recommend Wolfe's General Store (see link on this web site) as a great place to stop for lunch. We have taken many day trips on bike trails throughout New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, DC, and PA but the most exciting are those off road trails that require a couple days or more to complete. The room was very clean and the food was good. Saw deer crossing the creek and a eagle on a rock looking for fish. If someone gets hurt there, it is a long time being rescued. Top ways to experience nearby attractions Horseback Riders can park at the Ansonia access area. There are no hills but you will be riding against an almost imperceptible grade going from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro. ", "I had the opportunity to ride this trail from Ramsey to Jersey Mills and it was awesome! You will need to allow yourself about 3 hours to do the Blackwell ride and 4.5 hours for the Slate Run ride, depending on your skill and fitness level. Several government offices in Cibolo and Texas . In Cedar Run, there are cabins along the creek, a beach area, a county store and the Inn. I used this as a place to return to every couple of days to get refreshed and stock up on food and clean clothes. Dinner at the Cedar Run Inn was excellent and we were able to arrange for breakfast there as well. The trail extends 62 miles south from Wellsboro Junction to Jersey Shore in the adjoining Tiadaghton State Forest. Hope this helps. Please check with the trail owner before you go. There is an old train station near the trail head where visitor excursions are run. Cedar Inn and a Gen store in Cedar Run are on the trail. Ice cream, water and clean bathrooms along the way and fellow trail users were friendly. I was combining a nice cardio workout and a trail ride into one so I did push pretty good up and back. Follow Route 44 north through the valley to Route 414 above Jersey Mills. Saw a bear. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. I was riding a hybrid set of tires, and they were perfect for the trail conditions. We did it as a full-day trip, but you could bike the upper half in 3-4 hours if you didnt take any long stops and kept up a good pace. For those so inclined, you are traveling along a premier trout stream, so you might want to carry some gear. The scenery was beautiful and varied, and the trail was in good condition. 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. There are numerous gates before and after intersections that slow your progress but do not require you to dismount. and talking. I hope to do other sections of this RT in the future. Next time I'm going the all the way. Monday night we ate at the Blackwell Hotel as the closest town is Wellsboro about a 30 minute drive away. From Blackwell to Jersey Shore, the trail roughly parallels PA Route 414 and PA Route 44. Walked for about 2 miles when I met a guy from Virginia who was biking and camping and had a repair kit. Slate Run store had great deli sandwiches and also a nice gift shop. Continued till I hit 50 miles and turned back only to get a flat tire. This was my first trip on this beautiful trail, but by far NOT my last. An additional Appalachian Regional Commission Grant for $67,000 will help renovate the historic train station to include handicap-accessible bathrooms and an information center highlighting recreation activities and destinations available throughout the region. We did stop for lunch in Waterville. My son, who has ridden the Dirty Kanza race (200 miles in one day on 4 wheel drive gravel roads in the Kansas flint hills) chose to ride on road tires instead of hybrid tires. There are also Comfort Stations about every 5 miles for the first 30 miles and then they really thin out. 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. New portions were close to pavement style. Headed back to Jersey Shore after that. From where to where Jim? Cant wait to experience all the beauty of our great state Pennsylvania. Stayed at Pettecote Jct. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Bureau of Facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council. We actually rode right past a 3 footer resting along the side of the trail. A definite bucket list destination for hikers and bikers! Pine Creek Rail Trail discounts - what to see at Lycoming County - check out reviews and 11 photos for Pine Creek Rail Trail - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Pine Creek Rail Trail . Again, the maintenance crew clears debris and smooths the trail regularly. In addition to not having to meet a shuttle at a specific time, freeing you to take your time and enjoy your journey, it also is an inexpensive way to more directly head to your next destination. We had the Pine Creek Outfitters take our car downstream for $50 so we didn't have to back-track or ride uphill. I was expecting a bear but did not see one. I am definitely coming back again to bike and visit the area. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is groomed for xc skiing during the winter months. This is a very peaceful ride through the narrowest part of the canyon. Saw flock of common mergansers, three deer, one with a fawn and a heron. From 1883 to 1988, rail lines carried timber, coal, and passengers through this canyon. Biked this trail in three days, with round trip rides, in late June. Wellsboro to Jersey shore. about 30 miles all together. It was very hot that day and I was tired, but I still biked my age in miles. We love this trail and have completed every mile at least twice. We rode the 62 mile trek in one day and what a wonderful ride it was. The first half of the trail is a series of stairs and boardwalks that passes by three beautiful waterfalls. We started out at the Ansonia trailhead, where we left our car. No towns along the way to resupply so you need to carry food. We rode from Ansonia to Jersey Shore and all used mountain bikes. The lunch was fantastic, the Waterville Tavern is a great stop, they even have a bike rack. Check out the Great Allegheny Passage in southwestern PA or go mountain biking on the Allegrippis Trails in Huntindgon County. In some very minor sections of the trail before or after intersections is the gravel a little deeper that you could even see my tread marks (it was very dry). How many hours did it take to ride the entire trail in a day? The second one was with a young girl riding with other kids who wasn't paying attention and I rode off the trail to avoid her. Nuts everywhere - acorns, black walnuts and chestnuts. 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