All Rights Reserved. Hiking the Choke Creek Trail in the Pinchot State Forest in North East PA. Although this grade heads towards the Watres Reservoir, it clearly did not connect to the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern Railroad. Alpine Trail has an outstanding crop of wildflowers in April and May, with Bluebells and Marsh Marigolds. rustroboz28 1 month, 3 weeks ago . About 1.7 miles of this old grade was found. The Pinchot Trail is a 23 mile hiking trail loop in the Lackawanna State Forest of northeastern Pennsylvania. The main trail, blazed in orange, has been designated as a State Forest Hiking Trail. This is a nice walk up to a great view. While the terrain is rolling and hilly, there is still a lot of great scenery and diversity. It may be accessed from all major use areas of the park. The forest is bordered by Mount Rainier National Park to the north and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to the south. Old Farm Trail follows an old farm road to the top of Straight Hill. A number of old stonewalls provide reminders of long abandoned efforts at farming. This trail is best accessed from the Quaker Race Day Use Area or from the Cabin Colony for cabin occupants. This trail connects with Gravel and Lakeside trails. It offers everything from a scenic overlook of expansive forests, a path sheltered by hemlocks next to a gurgling creek, to bog areas which contain some plants not common to Pennsylvania. Balsam Swamp Loop. Take the trail to the right, which is also gated and descends down to Choke Creek at a man made bridge/beaver damn. There are 5 moderate trails in Pinchot State Forest ranging from 1.5 to 13.1 miles and from 524 to 2,224 feet above sea level. Balsam Swamp Loop (AKA Pinchot Trail Loop) DIFFICULT 25.5 mi. He was the first Chief of the United States Forest Service and the 28 th governor of PA. 13 comments. The trail then crosses Gravel Trail and eventually splits into two branches that connect along the top of Straight Hill to form a loop. Sections of the trail can also be rocky. I decided to explore the Pinchot State Forest and Crystal Lake. Backpack campers and hikers will find this trail on the Pocono Plateau challenging, exciting and beautiful. DIFFICULT 21.7 mi. To save the best scenery for the last half of the hike, go straight on the Butler Run Trail. *SEGMENT FROM CAMPGROUND TO ALPINE TRAIL IS MULTI-PURPOSE. Following it where it can be seen, GPS data was collected to attempt to map the grade out. This trail has a dirt or rocky surface, uneven terrain and one steep but short hill. Ready for some activity? The Pinchot Trail in Pinchot State Forest, PA, is a 26 mile trail that leads through Pinchot State Forest and Lackawanna State Park. 4 comments. Follow this ridge in the opposite direction as tho heading back to the trail. The trail is hilly as it begins a gradual incline with hardwood forests. French, for whatever reason, do not use the consonants at the end of names.). Look to left for diagonal slabs of rock, leave trail short bushwhack to them follow the top of rock slabs with views of Wilkes Barre. 5.6. Both trails have dirt and rock surfaces and steeper slopes, but wind through the most mature forests in the park. He knew his trees, and he knew that the best way to assure the future of timber harvesting was through conservation and proper management. The Pinchot Trail turns left, and the yellow blazed Butler Run Trail goes straight. New Jersey is a lot more beautiful than people give it credit for. State Forest trails may be used to fulfill the requirements of another award. Pinchot State Forest is a state forest in Pennsylvania. Backpackers and hikers will find this trail on the Pocono Plateau challenging, exciting and beautiful. Some big fallen trees close to 33 as well that could get you off trail if not careful. To your right you will see a much larger and taller set of slabs of bedrock. Follow forest road stay to left, the 2nd rail to the right will be your return. I mistakenly went right briefly. The Best Hikes in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest 1. Looking for a great trail in Pinchot State Forest, Pennsylvania? Alpine Trail has an outstanding crop of wildflowers in April and May, with Bluebells and Marsh Marigolds. The Pinchot Trail is a 23-mile (37 km) hiking trail in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Gps data was collected to attempt to map the grade out a long dayhike curve in Phelps Road take... Be made by using part of Lakeside trail making a nice walk up to a clearing (. Are separated in age by 2000 years loop-type footpath in the Lackawanna State Forest border of the trail passes vistas... East PA. Pinchot State Forest trails Award - Applicant must have hiked all 798 miles of trails in State... See a much larger and taller set of slabs of bedrock career protecting forests and a founding in... 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