Pine Creek Water Trail
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by Jim Hyland Pine Creek is one of Pennsylvania’s day. Historical accounts of the area later in Blackwell. This section takes most scenic and historic water trails. describe huge pines and hemlocks, about six hours to complete, but it When not able to navigate the swift maybe 8 or 10 feet in diameter, and can be done much faster or slower waters by canoe, native peoples walked massive American chestnuts. The depending on the water level, boat an ancient footpath along the shore. commercial value of those trees types, paddling speed, stopping to Described as a “howling wilderness” by would bring signifi cant and some- fi sh, etc. There are state forest and early pioneers, the Pine Creek Gorge times devestating change to Pine private camping facilities in the area and lower valley still offer an amazing Creek’s shores. where paddlers can spend the night natural experience to paddlers. Water-powered sawmills began to along the creek and then paddle on While navigating Pine Creek, one appear as early as the 1790s, and scores to points downstream for one, two, can’t help but imagine what it must more steam-powered mills came and three or more days, depending on the have been like some 200 years ago, went with the various fl oods of the distance you want to travel and the given how spectacular it remains to- 1800s. Massive logs were muscled amount of exploring, fi shing or sight- into the creek and individually fl oated seeing you’d like to do. Contact the Pennsylvania to distant markets, while others were Tioga or Tiadaghton State forests for Offi cial Water Trails lashed into huge rafts that even had camping information. their own living quarters! In the past few years, “recreational” The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Wildlife abounded, too. Herds of kayaks have become popular among Commission is the sole agency elk grazed on the shores, and pan- river trippers. Still, plenty of tradi- that designates offi cial Pennsyl- thers prowled among the high rock tionalists prefer an open canoe (or vania water trails. However, in- outcrops. The pools were full of na- raft) for journeying with spouses, dividual trails and trail corridors tive brook trout, and American shad gear, etc. Sturdy paddles are a must are created and maintained by a seasonally migrated from the Atlantic. (plus a spare), and secured waterproof network of volunteers, property Like the shad, each year hundreds of gear bags prevent soaked or lost cloth- owners, civic groups and associa- people return to the creek to capture ing and equipment. Coast Guard-ap- tions. If you or your organization the profound experience of fl ow- proved life vests are mandatory for would like to create a water trail, ing with cold, clean mountain water all occupants, and wetsuits should be or if you’d like to nominate an downstream to the ocean. worn in springtime and fall when the existing water trail for recogni- water is cold. tion as an offi cial Pennsylvania Planning your trip If there is anything negative to be water trail, contact the Commis- Although Pine Creek can be pad- said about the experience of fl oating sion by calling 717-705-7800 or dled safely from Galeton, the Pine Pine Creek, surely it’s the slight hassle on the web at http://sites.state. Creek Water Trail begins at the Big of shuttling vehicles. Several boat and pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/in- Meadows Access Area near Anso- equipment rental businesses operate form.htm. Visit the water trail nia, Tioga County. Located closer to in the region that offer shuttle ser- pages on the Commission’s web where Pine Creek plunges south into vices for those renting equipment or site, www.fi sh.state.pa.us. the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, without the means of planting a shut- and having adequate public parking, tle vehicle downstream. A fun option it’s an appropriate place to begin. is to put a bicycle in your canoe and Most paddlers start their journey then ride it back upstream on the ad- at Ansonia, navigate the canyon, and jacent Pine Creek Rail Trail to reach then take out 17 spectacular miles your automobile. (article continued on page 17) 14 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater • May-June 2007 www.fi sh.state.pa.us d g 77°37'30" 77°30'00" e 77°22'30" C A Ridge ASAPH N ASAP k e S in W.A. Middle R R a l T AD O O pe R Pi A M H AIT A 287 Gurnee T s i D d . NESSMU RU Ga ge S.G.L. 313 N R Oak n UN aster D. Asaph Picnic Area RD. Point E H R S AP &Campground K P A I FT ROAD P LE E LI N ER/ STATE GAME LANDS 64 7.7 Future Northern Terminus W as Wellsboro Junction x e T . A L RD O D L CO O NSTRUCTION STATE GAME LANDS . G 6 RD Asaph 208 6 R W DE N O U Round Top HOLL IN SH ia Gaines n o 41°45'00" s 41°45'00" Wellsboro An 6 Mount Tom 6 www.fish.state.pa.usManhattan 6 Big Meadows Elephant 660 Mtn. S.G.L. 208 Access Area D D E A GALETON Hedgehog A 362 R O l TIOGA Point D il GRAND CANYON H Hill ll DISTRICT M A N STATE AIRPORT e N . ss OFFICE O d H R u T R ean O OL C D LLO Dexter asse 144 Ow e PINE CREEK GORGE RD. NATURAL AREA 287 W Owassee Rapids-Use Caution Lick Run LEONARD H ARRISON Hill GRAND CANYON STATE P ARK Thumptown Shumway OF PA Hill rkey COLTON POINT Tu th Pa STATE P ARK 660 OW R LL D. PIN HO E . TR ON TH O MPS RIM cCR K E N M A C 8.5 mil Stony Lost Fork C Hill REE e s Goat K ST E PIN Knapp Ranch W Hill E C R EEK M R D. RID I LL RUN Olmsville GE RD. R A Draper Mountain IL r TRAIL ill Ceda H . 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ALGERINE SWAMP POTTER Access Area Campground RD NAT. AREA AR . FR D ANCIS ROAD NUT CE E CHEST I N RUN EL ROAD ROA Oregon PIP IL Hill D TRA TEXAS 44 s CK le MTN LA i B ROAD Cedar m .1 Run 5 . FORE BE UL A ST H L A ALGERINE N S D LA Gamble Run Access Area WILD AREA TE . T T RD S S E E S STATE GAME LANDS R R L L ATE I 41°30'00" O O A 75 F F R 41°30'00" R W U N. N T . FOSTERLLO . M D RD R HO PINE CREEK N D. R 4.2 miles L. TR BRO O AIL MI INE H R W WATER TRAIL P D O L N A STATE GAME LANDS S YCOMING K NORTHERN SECTION K D D. E FO C RK A R L R DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES CRE 68 D. POTTER CO UNTY B Slate Run Village R CLINTON COUNTY T O and Access Area LEGEND FORES N A BA S STATE FOREST LANDS STATE PARK OFFICE M FORK R TATE R STATE PARK LANDS TR. ENS RD. INFORMATION BOARD STATE GAME LANDS SMALL FISHING BOATS/ CANOES CO. PUMP INGS NATURAL And WILD AREA STATION LE R G SP SPECIAL REGULATIONS RESTROOMS TOWER R les EA D R TROUT WATERS WATER mi . E ILVE COUNTY LINE 2 N N E S TRAIL PI 2. D STATE OR FEDERAL HIGHWAY FOOD L O HARD SURFACE ROAD Public Phone G WOLF RUN IMPROVED DIRT ROAD E Y R BO WILD AREA DRIVABLE TRAIL GAS LL MI TRAIL RD.