AnyoneUpForDoingTheWESTRIMTRAIL,PA July4 thWeekend?

“Getting an itch to get out for the July 4th weekend since it is an extended (3-night) weekend. Been eyeing a few loop trails but also have a few shuttle-necessary trails, such as the West Rim Trail in PA, in mind. I know it is on a Holiday weekend and the temps may be on the warm side, but I plan to spend down time near water breaks to cool the dogs and maybe take a dip where possible. 30 miles in 3-nights should make for easy days, with most of the hike-time done in the morning hours.

Unless I stumble upon a shuttle, it'll take another person and their vehicle to make this trip possible. Anyone up for it?

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Does this tempt anyone?”

“how far from Buffalo, do you think?”

“From Buffalo to Ansonia would be less than 4hrs drive. Which, to my surprise, is a shorter route and shorter drive-time than from my place.

From the predicted Weather Forecast, the temps don't look too hot considering July weather.”

“still can't find it on my old-outdated map, but 4hrs from the border + another 3 from my house, I think is too far for me.”

“ok, I found a better map--could it be: Pine Creek Gorge ("Pennsylvania's grand canyon")?
no kidding, that's what's on my map, right betweem Wellsboro & Galeton.”

“What about the presidents in the Whites. I'll pick you up on Wednesday.”

“My bad...Yes Helinka, it's Pine Creek Gorge.

The Presidents in the Whites sounds fantastic, BUT it's kind of too late for me to ask for time off, Buddha.”

“HOWEVER, depending on how much work we have, if things turn out to be slow (not that many jobs) on Wed I may be able to get away with "Do you mind if I don't come in tommorrow?" But of course, I won't know till the last minute. And what day do you propose coming home?”

“Hey im a newbie...love me.anyone want to mentor me thru the hike? I live in PA I can probably make it. so long as my gestapo boss lets me swap friday for it.”

“Buddur,
there's a shuttle service available thru Pine Creek Outfitters.
http://www.pinecrk.com/”

“Haven't been on here for awhile and was surprised to see this post. I have already planned on that trip this weekend. The shuttle service is 8 dollars per person I think which is not bad. I'm going in on thursday and if you want to shuttle I'm sure something could be worked out. Pennsy had some interest in this trip too.”

“Roach...What time will you be getting to the trial? I'll be hitting the road after work on Thurs but won't be getting to the trailhead till around 8pm (leave 3:30pm + Drive 4.5hrs).

Buddha...Wha'da'ya think, you drive to my house and I'll drive the rest of the way?

Helinka...Do you think you might make the trip?

Taboo...if you go, this'll certainly be a crash course for ya.”

“It's only a bit over an hour from here. I was planning on being there at about 5:30. Once there is a plan, I can wait if need be to help shuttle, no big deal. I'll be meeting people in Wellsboro on Sunday mid-afternoon, so I will be leaving about or a bit before lunch time.”

“Who's in? And Who's out??

I need to know. I need to know.
C'mon baby girl 'cause I need to know???

Yo Roach, d'ya know if Pennsy is going to chime in?”

“Buddur/Tom, Sparky and I were at Pine Creek Gorge (AKA Grand Canyon of PA) last week for 4 great days of camping and exploring parts thereof unfamiliar to us. I have come to see that the West Rim Trail is only one among many delights in that hikers' paradise.

Do I wanna do the WRT for a sixth time? Hmmm.... I have some potential backpacking plans in the Daks with my brother later this week. If the plans don't gel, I'll consider joining you for the WRT trip.

Two caveats... 1) Expect lotsa other hikers and backpackers there on the holiday weekend (although camping spots are plentiful); 2) the bugs were very hungry there last week. *scratch scratch scratch*”

“sorry guys... I don't get on TT as much as I used to.

My time frame is a bit tighter than you guys but hopefully I can get up there and run into y'all.

I can't do Thursday but I'm considering using the shuttle service Friday morning. If you guys are hiking south to north, I'll probably run into you. I need to be home around noon on Sunday so I'll probably be spending a lot of time on my feet.

I called Pine Creek about the shuttles. It's $8 if there is at least 4 hikers on the shuttle. It's a $30 minimum, which makes sense because it will probably cost them half that for gas. No one else has signed up for shuttling Fri morning yet, but I'll call again on Thurs.”

“Yo Roach...
Having done a few more driving direction/time searches, it looks like my guestimate for arrival time is roughly accurate...about 8pm at the latest. Would you want to wait that long for me so we could shuttle a car, or do you have your druthers?

Hope to see both you guys, Pennsy and M Silver there at least for a portion of the time.”

“I really, really, really wanna go, but can't con anyone into taking the kiddies for me--this sucks cause I have a 4 day weekend.
And the drive is kinda far, and crossing the border is always a treat.”

“Sorry you won't be able to make it, Helinka.”

“So what the deal on this hike. I am in dayton and could be interested? Let me know, somthin, soon pwease!jerbear@backpacker.com”

“Check yer Email, Jer.

Roach, shoot me an Email to discuss the meeting and shuttle, or better yet, include your phone # and I'll call ya so we don't have to type to each other.

And Buddha...you still hitting the Whites???”

“Is there any chance this area is part of the Niagara escarpment? The escarpment runs through S.W. Ontario (Tobermory to Niagara Falls). Anyone know their geology/geography?”

“Pennsy, if you know when you will be coming, park along the trail and meet us and we can take you back at the end. Thing is I don't have my truck and what I do have can only fit 3.....don't let that stop you, I'm sure we could work it out.”

“Roach...I have a van that fits a billion. If you and I get there first, lets shuttle and leave my van for the ride back.

btw - do you want to hike from North to South or the other direction. I guess it would depend on which end eveyone will be able to get to first???


Helinka...nope, this is not part of the Niagara Escarpment, it's an ancient glacial drainage valley.”

“Buddar, Got it I will call ya tonight.
Whats the bear situation up there. Need canisters?
Shuttle sounds like a way to go? I will commit by tommorrow.and will be able to make it for thurs early pm. YO bear we b hikin!”

“buddur-gotta run but i shot you an email with my number, we'll talk later.”

“Thanhs Budder, I finally located pix & the area looks very pretty, but definatly not escarpment. Wish I could go. Maybe in autumn.”

“Buddur - if I go I'll be hiking south to north assuming I use the shuttle service Friday morning. I'll know for sure thurs when I call Pine Creek again.”

“I wish I could go... Tempting, but I can't take a day off this week.”

“You have to work on the 4th?? Good gawd, do you work for Brits?”

“Tarabull...I hear ya. If I could take a day (or two more) off, I would've taken up Buddha Bear regarding the Whites, NH hike.

Pennsy...I talked to Roach and we're going to meet at the southern trailhead, then shuttle a car to the other end, and I gather we'll be driving back to the southern end to start the hike. And I can assume Jerbear will also be starting at the southern end...beings that we all will be too. lol

Helinka...it'd sure be nice to meet ya. Maybe some other hike later on in the year.

M Silver...got any good camping spots in mind for us? Or any other Must See location, for that matter? And do you have any words for Jerbear (and us) regarding beers?”

“No, Pennsy - I gotta work on Thurdsay, tho. And, that part of PA is prolly 7 hours away from here. Just not do-able this weekend. Tempting, tho.”

“My bad Tara..... I forgot that the others are starting Thurs and it's just me on Friday. Dang memory.

Cool Buddur.. I hope to see you guys on the trail sometime Friday.”

“Geography Question Is there any chance this area is part of the Niagara escarpment? Anyone know their geology/geography?

Helinka, The following few excerpts come from Chuck Dillon’s "Guide to the West Rim Trail" and may sum up a possible answer to your query...

"The area is located in the region of Pennsylvania known as the Allegheny Plateau. The plateau is composed of sedimentary rocks in parallel stratification which are fairly horizontal, being only gently folded. To the south is the Valley and Ridge Province, more commonly called The Appalachian Mountains, which exhibits severe folding and upheaval ...

... Pine Creek Gorge lies near the approximate southern border of the glacial advances of the Pliestocene Epoch, or Ice Age, which ended about 11,000 years ago. Glacial ice, which covered the region at one time, and its subsequent melting gouged the channel known as "Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon." ...

... Majority of rock formations seen are the Catskill Formation (red beds) of Upper Devonian Period (about 350 million years old)...

:-)”

“thanks M Silver. So is the gorge a big, steep 'valley' or is the terrain more like a canyon, with inaccessable sides?”

“helinka,

Its a 30+ mile-long, steep, narrow, winding, c. 1000 ft. deep valley... with only a few accessible routes from the rim to the canyon floor. I hiked down one of them last week while there ...called the Turkey Path ...a series of many switchbacks, relatively easy hike. I also attempted to reach the canyon floor via one of Pine Creek's many tributary streams, hoping to catch several outstanding waterfalls along the way. After the first mile or so, the streamside route became so nasty and dangerous that I turned back. It was baaad.”

“...baaad as in "Loving sheep is baaad!"?”

“from the southern end, you may want to begin along the mid state trail at blackwell, the trail passes jerry run and bohen falls, bohen falls is particularly nice. these rugged side glens are a joy to hike. watch for some steep sidehill along the side of the gorge.

an awesome campsite is located right along pine creek, where bohen run joins pine creek, accessed by a side trail from MST. this is roughly 1.5 - 2 miles from blackwell.

pine creek gorge is awesome, every stream entering the gorge has waterfalls.

msilver- have you hiked the turkey path below colton point? very rugged, fourmile run has a collection of incredible waterfalls, though most are off trail.”

“Buddur,

I'm going to have to pass on this. i caught all kinds of #&%!$ from ma & pa bear for not attending our extended family's 4th of July celebration for the last 8 years.”

“thanks for all the info, maybe I can get there in the fall. Scenery should be amazing then. Do you need to book specific sites along the trail? What about any weird rules? Poisonous snakes, or spiders??? Can you tell i've never bkpked in the U.S. before?”

“jmitch,

Once I got to Pine Creek from Colton Point via the Turkey Path, I headed south, then west up Four Mile Run ...was hoping to at least get to the Rexford Run junction and catch some waterfalls and/or cascades enroute, but got slowed down too much by the steep sides, treacherous stream crossings, high water levels, high temps & humidity, hungry black flies & mosquitos, and extensive patches of man-eating Nettle (stung right through my pants!) It was also getting late, and being alone, I didn't want to be in that remote glen after nightfall ...even with a good flashlight. So I headed back. The late start was caused by my attempt earlier that same day to hike *down* Four Mile Run from the WRT crossing at Thompson Hollow Road. In his guide book, Chuck Dillon says this hike is not for everyone, and that intrigued me ...but the "hike" turned into a nasty bushwack with the same kinds of difficulties mentioned above at the lower end of Four Mile Run. I'll try it again some other time, because it looks like it's a fun hike, and you got me hooked on waterfall bushwacks. But under better circumstances. I enjoy solo hiking, but I'm not willing to take stupid risks.”

“how is the black bear population?
Buddu”

“Buddur, I am trying to call ya next attempt 3pm, Jer”

“helinka,

Fall is one of the best times to hike the WRT.

There are no *unusual* rules regarding backpacking on there (or anywhere else in Pennsylvania state forests). Unless posted otherwise, most hiking regulations are all about common sense anyway... ie., resepct for self, others, property & the planet. You need no permit if you're going to stay at any campsite only one night.

There are however, many poisonous snakes, spiders and sundry creatures in such overwhelming numbers that only a few lucky ones have ever completed the WRT and lived to tell about it ...me being one of them ;-)

Here are a few of my Webshots.com albums featuring the WRT ...might give you a flavor for the trail and scenery there...
West Rim Trail - Oct 19-21, 2001

West Rim Trail - June, 27-29, 2002

Grand Canyon of PA - June 23-27, 2003
”

“Hey guys, I'm a NO on this one. Thanks for the invite, Tom. Maybe next time.”

“Trying to go extremely light on this trip, in other words no tent. For last minute bug protection, I looked at an army surplus mosquito net which, with a little rope, could be tied over tree branches. Are the mosquitoes that bad there that this will be necessary, or any other suggestions?”

“LOL , I'm sure the most vicious creatures are the bloodsucking flying ones! Great pics.”

“Not sure about the bear situation or the bugs either. However, M Silver (sorry to hear you can't make it) posted... 2) the bugs were very hungry there last week. *scratch scratch scratch*, so I assume annoying insects will definitly be present.

Roach... I may be at the trailhead around 7:30pm. The 8pm drive time was based on getting to the northern one.”

“...and Buddha, you GOTTA hit the Family Reunion!!! I always have a blast at mine...well...my Dad's side of the family.”