Tiadaghton State Forest - Black Forest Trail - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Tiadaghton State Forest - Black Forest Trail |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Nearby Town: | Slate Run |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | From Youngstown, Ohio, take I-80 east to exit 173. At the end of the exit, turn left on Pennsylvania 64. Travel approximately 4.5 miles, and turn right on Pennsylvania 477. Travel a short 0.3 miles, and take the ramp onto US 220 North. Travel another 13.6 miles, take the ramp toward Pine Creek / Waterville, and turn left on Pennsylvania 44. Go approximately 12.4 miles, and turn right on Pennsylvania 414. Travel just over 14 miles before turning left on Slate Run Road. Cross the bridge over Pine Creek, and turn right at the end. The road will immediately curve to the left as you pass the Hotel Manor. The trailhead is just up the hill on the right. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 31.00 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Moderate to Difficult |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | Roundtrip, Loop Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Pine plantation just up the hill from the Hotel Manor on Slate Run Road |
| Trails Used: | Black Forest Trail, Baldwin Gas Line Trail |
| Backcountry Campsites: | Yes |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams |
| Management: | State Forest Service |
| Contact Information: | Tiadaghton Forest Fire Fighters Association P.O. Box 5091 South Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701 |
| Best Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers, Dogs |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | Set in the hills of the Tiadaghton State Forest in the northwest corner of Lycoming County, the Black Forest Trail is a challenging loop hike loaded with a multitude of brutal, rocky ascents. The complete loop, which is approximately 42.1 miles, starts and ends in a pine forest just up the hill from the Hotel Manor on Slate Run Road. Even though the climbs are strenuous, the end results are well worth the effort as the hiker is rewarded with countless vistas overlooking the streams and hollows below. But of course, as the old adage goes, what goes up must come down. As such, the rocky descents are just as brutal as the ascents. But again, the results are well worth the effort as the hiker is rewarded with some awesome campsites along the free flowing streams of the valley floors. The forest itself includes a variety of tree species, including hardwood and pine, and there are a few meadows and small waterfalls along the way as well. This particular trek consists of a 31-mile counterclockwise loop that is accomplished by hiking the northern three quarters of the Black Forest Trail proper, and eliminating the southern quarter by cutting across the Baldwin Gas Line Trail. As such, this particular loop also starts and ends in the aforementioned pine forest on Slate Run Road. The Baldwin Gas Line Trail leaves the Black Forest Trail proper at approximately mile 21.5, and reconnects at what would be approximately mile 34.4 of the main Black Forest Trail. The first day of hiking begins with a precipitous climb that traverses upward for approximately 1200 feet in just under two miles from a point just upstream of the confluence of Slate Run and Pine Creek. From there, the trail levels off for several miles before reaching a descent of similar magnitude, which leads down to several inviting campsites along the Slate Run streambed between miles 7.2 and 7.6. Those hikers who get an early start on day one, might want to consider trudging on to one of the campsites further down the trail, but the attractiveness of the sites along this stretch of the streambed are hard to pass up. The second day of hiking is similar to the first with an early climb followed by numerous overlooks situated along the ridge top. Again, there are several inviting campsites along the streambed between miles 16.0 and 16.3 that are hard to pass up. However, the ambitious hiker with strong legs won’t be disappointed if the decision is made to continue on in the face of the next foreboding climb between miles 16.3 and 16.6, and then onward to a quaint little campsite at approximately mile 18.2. The third day of hiking again includes several grueling ascents and descents leading up to the ultimate plunge of approximately 1000 feet in just one mile (between miles 40 and 41 on the Black Forest Trail proper). The last one-mile plus of trail is relatively flat as it parallels Slate Run from approximately 80 feet above. Apparently, this area gives shelter to its share of bears, as we came within approximately 50 yards of a black bear cub after two minutes of being on the trail, and then spotted a larger specimen crossing the road right in front of us as we were leaving the Hotel Manor on our last day. Finally, this excursion wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing lull on the outdoor deck of the Hotel Manor eating pizza and sipping Yuengling’s while watching the fly fishermen wave their fishing rods above the rapids and pools of Pine Creek below. |
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