West Rim Trail
Encyclopedia
The West Rim Trail is a 30.5 miles (49.1 km) hiking
trail
along Pine Creek
in Lycoming
and Tioga
Counties in north central Pennsylvania
in the United States
. The trail runs long Pine Creek Gorge
, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 feet (243.8 m) deep and about 2000 feet (609.6 m) wide from rim to rim in the area traversed by the West Rim Trail. The trail is entirely within the Tioga State Forest
and is known for its large number of vistas overlooking the gorge, which is a National Natural Landmark
. The West Rim Trail was chosen by Outside Magazine as its "Best Hike in Pennsylvania" in April, 1996.
, near the village of Ansonia. Ansonia is about 6 miles (10 km) west of Wellsboro
, the county seat of Tioga County. The northern trailhead
is at an elevation of 850 feet (259.1 m) and the trail climbs 700 feet (213.4 m) in 2.6 miles (4.2 km) as it heads south.
The West Rim Trail has many climbs and offers many vistas. It runs generally north-south along the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, hence the name. The trail is entirely on Pennsylvania State Forest lands, in the Tioga State Forest
. It passes just west of Colton Point State Park
, and is across the gorge from Leonard Harrison State Park
. The trail runs parallel to the Pine Creek Rail Trail
which follows the east bank of Pine Creek, but is some 800 feet (243.8 m) above it at the state parks.
The highest elevation on the West Rim Trail is at 2080 feet (634 m), south of Gundigut Hollow. The trail is on the Allegheny Plateau
and is generally at an elevation between 1600 feet (487.7 m) and 1700 feet (518.2 m). The steepest portion is along Lloyd Run near the southern terminus, where the elevation changes 300 feet (91.4 m) in just 0.25 mile (0.402335 km).
Heading south, the trail drops 1040 feet (317 m) in the last 2 miles (3.2 km) (this includes the steepest portion of the trail). Because of this, most hikers choose to hike from the north to the south. The southern terminus is at Rattlesnake Rocks on Pennsylvania Route 414
, where Lloyd Run joins Pine Creek, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) south of the village of Blackwell. The total length of the West Rim Trail is 30.46 miles (49.02 km).
, when retreating glaciers provided large amounts of water and dammed Pine Creek's northward flow. The creek flowed south instead, carving the gorge in a few thousand years.
Portions of the trail follow old abandoned logging
roads and railroad grades. 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
. In the 1930s, some Civilian Conservation Corps
work was done in the state forest and state parks, building recreational facilities and making roads.
The Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area was originally 8153 acres (33 km²) and extended from Ansonia south to Jerry Run, and from rim to rim of the canyon, plus 300 feet (91.4 m) on each side. In 1968 the Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area was designated a National Natural Landmark
. This was expanded to 13100 acres (53 km²) in 1993, to include land up to Claymine Road on the east rim and West Rim, Paiter-Leetonia, and Colton Roads on the West Rim. The natural area extends 18 miles (29 km) along Pine Creek.
The West Rim Trail opened in 1982, originally as a 21 miles (33.8 km) long trail from the current southern terminus at Lloyd Run and Rattlesnake Rocks to the Refuge Trail. The final 9 miles (14.5 km) of the trail were completed in 1985, extending it to the current northern terminus near Ansonia.
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
along Pine Creek
Pine Creek (Pennsylvania)
Pine Creek is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, and Clinton counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. The creek is long...
in Lycoming
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
-Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau:Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau in the north and east, and the valley of the West Branch Susquehanna River between these.-West Branch Susquehanna River:The West Branch of the...
and Tioga
Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Tioga County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,981. Tioga County was created on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for the Tioga River. Its county seat is Wellsboro....
Counties in north central Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The trail runs long Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge, also known as, The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, is situated in approximately 160,000 acres of the Tioga State Forest in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania along Pine Creek. The Canyon begins south of Ansonia, near Wellsboro, along U.S. Route 6 and continues for approximately...
, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is 800 feet (243.8 m) deep and about 2000 feet (609.6 m) wide from rim to rim in the area traversed by the West Rim Trail. The trail is entirely within the Tioga State Forest
Tioga State Forest
Tioga State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in District #16. The main offices are located in Wellsboro in Tioga County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
and is known for its large number of vistas overlooking the gorge, which is a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
. The West Rim Trail was chosen by Outside Magazine as its "Best Hike in Pennsylvania" in April, 1996.
Geography
The northern terminus of the trail is on Colton Road, 0.5 mile (0.80467 km) south of U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
, near the village of Ansonia. Ansonia is about 6 miles (10 km) west of Wellsboro
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Wellsboro is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, 52 miles northwest of Williamsport. Early in the twentieth century, Wellsboro was the shipping point and trade center for a large area...
, the county seat of Tioga County. The northern trailhead
Trailhead
A trailhead is the point at which a trail begins, where the trail is often intended for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or off-road vehicles...
is at an elevation of 850 feet (259.1 m) and the trail climbs 700 feet (213.4 m) in 2.6 miles (4.2 km) as it heads south.
The West Rim Trail has many climbs and offers many vistas. It runs generally north-south along the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, hence the name. The trail is entirely on Pennsylvania State Forest lands, in the Tioga State Forest
Tioga State Forest
Tioga State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in District #16. The main offices are located in Wellsboro in Tioga County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
. It passes just west of Colton Point State Park
Colton Point State Park
Colton Point State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is on the west side of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is deep and nearly across at this location. The park extends from the creek in the...
, and is across the gorge from Leonard Harrison State Park
Leonard Harrison State Park
Leonard Harrison State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is on the east rim of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, which is deep and nearly across here. It also serves as headquarters for the adjoining...
. The trail runs parallel to the Pine Creek Rail Trail
Pine Creek Rail Trail
The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a rail trail in the Appalachian Mountains of north-central Pennsylvania.The trail begins just north of Wellsboro, runs south through Pine Creek Gorge , and ends in Jersey Shore...
which follows the east bank of Pine Creek, but is some 800 feet (243.8 m) above it at the state parks.
The highest elevation on the West Rim Trail is at 2080 feet (634 m), south of Gundigut Hollow. The trail is on the Allegheny Plateau
Allegheny Plateau
The Allegheny Plateau is a large dissected plateau area in western and central New York, northern and western Pennsylvania, northern and western West Virginia, and eastern Ohio...
and is generally at an elevation between 1600 feet (487.7 m) and 1700 feet (518.2 m). The steepest portion is along Lloyd Run near the southern terminus, where the elevation changes 300 feet (91.4 m) in just 0.25 mile (0.402335 km).
Heading south, the trail drops 1040 feet (317 m) in the last 2 miles (3.2 km) (this includes the steepest portion of the trail). Because of this, most hikers choose to hike from the north to the south. The southern terminus is at Rattlesnake Rocks on Pennsylvania Route 414
Pennsylvania Route 414
Pennsylvania Route 414 is an long state highway located in Lycoming, Tioga, and Bradford counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 44 in Waterville...
, where Lloyd Run joins Pine Creek, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) south of the village of Blackwell. The total length of the West Rim Trail is 30.46 miles (49.02 km).
History
The Pine Creek Gorge is believed to have been formed at the end of the Wisconsin glaciationWisconsin glaciation
The last glacial period was the most recent glacial period within the current ice age occurring during the last years of the Pleistocene, from approximately 110,000 to 10,000 years ago....
, when retreating glaciers provided large amounts of water and dammed Pine Creek's northward flow. The creek flowed south instead, carving the gorge in a few thousand years.
Portions of the trail follow old abandoned logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
roads and railroad grades. These are left over from the 19th and early 20th century when the lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
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
Clearcutting
Clearcutting, or clearfelling, is a controversial forestry/logging practice in which most or all trees in an area are uniformly cut down. Clearcutting, along with shelterwood and seed tree harvests, is used by foresters to create certain types of forest ecosystems and to promote select species that...
. In the 1930s, some Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
work was done in the state forest and state parks, building recreational facilities and making roads.
The Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area was originally 8153 acres (33 km²) and extended from Ansonia south to Jerry Run, and from rim to rim of the canyon, plus 300 feet (91.4 m) on each side. In 1968 the Pine Creek Gorge Natural Area was designated a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
. This was expanded to 13100 acres (53 km²) in 1993, to include land up to Claymine Road on the east rim and West Rim, Paiter-Leetonia, and Colton Roads on the West Rim. The natural area extends 18 miles (29 km) along Pine Creek.
The West Rim Trail opened in 1982, originally as a 21 miles (33.8 km) long trail from the current southern terminus at Lloyd Run and Rattlesnake Rocks to the Refuge Trail. The final 9 miles (14.5 km) of the trail were completed in 1985, extending it to the current northern terminus near Ansonia.