West Rim Trail
The West Rim Trail is a 30.5 mi (49.1 km) hiking trail in Lycoming and Tioga Counties in north central Pennsylvania. The trail mostly follows the edge of Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is up to 1,000 feet (300 m) deep and about 2,000 feet (610 m) wide from rim to rim in the area traversed by the West Rim Trail.[3] The trail is entirely within Tioga State Forest and is known for its large number of vistas overlooking the gorge, which is a National Natural Landmark and one of the deepest gorges in the eastern United States.[4] The West Rim Trail was chosen by Outside Magazine as its "Best Hike in Pennsylvania" in 1996.[5]
| West Rim Trail | |
|---|---|
 Pine Creek Gorge looking south from a West Rim Trail vista | |
| Length | 30.5 mi (49.1 km) |
| Location | Lycoming and Tioga Counties, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Trailheads | North: On Colton Road 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of U.S. Route 6, near the village of Ansonia South: Pennsylvania Route 414, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) south of the village of Blackwell[1][2] |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation | |
| Highest point | 2,080 feet (630 m)[1] |
| Lowest point | 850 feet (260 m)[1] |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | Spring to Fall |
| Sights | Vistas, Pine Creek Gorge |
| Hazards | Severe Weather, Poison ivy, Bears |
Route
The northern terminus of the West Rim Trail is on Colton Road, 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of U.S. Route 6, near the village of Ansonia. The northern trailhead is at an elevation of 850 feet (260 m) and the trail climbs 700 feet (210 m) in 2.6 miles (4.2 km) as it heads south.[1] For most of the rest of its distance, the trail is on the high ground of the Allegheny Plateau. The trail runs roughly parallel to the Pine Creek Rail Trail, but the two trails do not meet because the rail trail is far below along the side of the creek.[1]
The West Rim Trail passes near Colton Point State Park at about four miles south of the trailhead.[2] The trail passes many waterfalls that illustrate how Pine Creek Gorge was eroded at a faster rate than its incoming hollows, so the smaller tributary streams were stranded high above the present Pine Creek.[6] Some of these side hollows require the West Rim Trail to diverge significantly from the edge of Pine Creek Gorge.[7] The highest elevation on the West Rim Trail is at 2,080 feet (630 m), south of Gundigut Hollow.
The steepest portion is along Lloyd Run near the southern terminus, where the elevation changes 300 feet (91 m) in just 0.25 miles (0.40 km).[1] Heading south, the trail drops 1,040 feet (320 m) in the last 2.0 miles (3.2 km). Because of this, most hikers choose to complete the trail from north to south. The southern terminus is at Rattlesnake Rock parking area on Pennsylvania Route 414, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) south of the village of Blackwell.[1]
History
Portions of the trail follow old abandoned logging roads and railroad grades.[8] These are left over from the 19th and early 20th century when the lumber industry cut down almost all the trees in the area. The state of Pennsylvania purchased the land, often at tax sales after it was abandoned and clear-cut.[1][8]
The West Rim Trail opened in 1982, originally as a 21-mile-long (34 km) trail from the current southern terminus at PA Route 414 to the Refuge Trail. The final 9 miles (14 km) of the trail were completed in 1985, extending it to the current northern terminus near Ansonia.[1]
References
- Dillon, Chuck (1999). Guide to the West Rim Trail (3rd ed.). Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: Pine Creek Press.
- "West Rim Trail Map". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
- "West Rim Trail". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
- Mitchell, Jeff (2005). Backpacking Pennsylvania: 37 Great Hikes. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. p. 134. ISBN 0811731804.
- "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania". Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
- Cramer, Ben, ed. (2008). Pennsylvania Hiking Trails (13th ed.). Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. p. 178-179. ISBN 9780811734776.
- Thwaites, Tom (2001). 50 Hikes in Central Pennsylvania (Fourth ed.). Woodstock, Vermont: Backcountry Publications. p. 158-161. ISBN 088150372X.
- Owlett, Steven E. (1993). Seasons Along The Tiadaghton: An Environmental History of the Pine Creek Gorge (1st ed.). Petaluma, California: Interprint. ISBN 0-9635905-0-2.
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