West Rim Trail, Southernmost vista point, 2 miles in.  Taken 2006 by B.W.




        

  Northern Terminus, when we've completed the trail.  

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Trail Stats

Nearby City: Ansonia, PA and Blackwell, PA
Length: 30 total miles
Skill level: Moderate
Trail type: Point-to-point
Trail category: State Forest Trail



Trail Description

The West Rim Trail for the most part runs along the western rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, from which it derives its name. This trail has had the honor of being chosen one of the best trails in Pennsylvania by Outside Magazine. The trail traverses 30 miles through some very diverse areas in both topography and forest type. Parts of the trail pass through some mixed Allegheny hardwoods, with large white ash, cherry, and hemlock. The other portions of the trail wind along ridges of oak forest, abundant mountain laurel, and then pass through boggy meadows near beaver dams. The Trail's northern terminus is one mile south of Route 6 on the Colton road near the village of Ansonia.
There are many vistas along the trail overlooking the various sections of the Pine Creek Gorge. While the trail is only 30 miles long, it does traverse some rough terrain and one should plan on several days to hike the trail.

Another description:

The West Rim Trail is a 30 mile hiking trail located adjacent to the Western Rim of Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon.
The northern section of the canyon is about 800 feet deep and about 2,000 feet from rim to rim. The exposed rock is estimated to be more than 350 million years old. Most of the important geologic process which formed the canyon as it now exists occurred less than 20,000 years ago.
Before glacial activity took place in the present Canyon area, the headwaters of Pine Creek took a northeastern drainage course. Glaciers deposited a blanket of gravel, sand and clay blocking the flow of Pine Creek. This natural dam forced Pine Creek to reverse its flow and drain to the south. This overflow cut through the drainage divide and formed the canyon.
The trail offers spectacular views of the Canyon. In some spots the trail follows the very rim of the Canyon, so watch your step.

This will be my 4th hike along this trail, in my opinion it's [still] the best all of the Pennsylvania trails I've hiked. 

- backpacking is usually at the rate of 2 m.p.h. on easy or moderate terrain. 
This trail is not rated as difficult, so it'll be right in line or faster than this.   The last day is easiest.

Boys' Backpacking Trip Details

Eric's Requirements:

- must purchase and break-in your own hard-sole hiking boots prior to trip. approx $100-$160 and subject to inspection before the trip. 
- unnecessarily large bonfires at night
- be in good enough shape to keep up. This trip is incentive for me to reduce my beer gut.
- no cell phones for 3 days. they stay in the car. No reception, anyway. 


Extra Details:

- lightweight backpacking stove will provide boiling water. Actual cooking on the stove maintaining a boil requires extra fuel. Group consensus to carry extra fuel? Fine by me. 
- October in the mountains can get cold at night, avg low there is 41 degrees F. Either a warm tent or a warm sleeping bag suggested. No cuddling.
- S'mores = pain and ridicule, possibly abandonment. Save it to share with the women and children. 
- B.Y.O.B.
- consider the possibility of rain at night and/or two days of travel. Pack accordingly.
- in relation to rain, BRING A WATERPROOF BACKPACK COVER. 
- trail is carry-in, carry-out. We hike all trash off of the trail. Burn any natural materials at campfire.
- black bears can run 35 m.p.h. for 10 miles at a stretch, and they easily climb trees. The slowest guy will be assigned to carry the food.



Rules:

Rule #1: No couples. This includes your wife, fiancée, or girlfriend.  Dogs, too. 

Rule #2: Everyone carries their own personal equipment. 

Rule #3: Group needs always come ahead of Individual needs unless a bona fide emergency occurs.

Rule #4: We will be environmentally friendly as much as as can on this trip.  And if we kill it, we're going to eat it, unless it's too small to feasibly cook up.

Trail Dangers - be aware of these

Timber Rattlesnake 
Crotalus horridus

   

The Timber Rattlesnake is the only rattlesnake in the Northeastern U.S. and grows to a length of 3' - 5' .  They can be as thick as a baseball bat.  A member of the pit viper family, this species of rattlesnake carries venom as dangerous as any pit viper, but its disposition is milder than most rattlesnakes.  Timber rattlers have an extremely loud rattle, and you have plenty of time and distance and warning to avoid them.   When that rattle kicks off, it really startles you with its high volume.  I don't know how loud the rattle is compared to other U.S. rattlesnakes; I haven't heard other species' rattles in person.

 Found in the eastern United States from southern Minnesota and southern New Hampshire, south to east Texas and north Florida[10] The type locality given is "America", although Schmidt (1953) proposed that this be restricted to "vicinity of New York City" (USA)

Generally, this species is found in deciduous forests in rugged terrain. During the summer, gravid (pregnant) females seem to prefer open, rocky ledges where the temperatures are higher, while males and non-gravid females tend to spend more time in cooler, denser woodland with a more closed forest canopy.
Female timber rattlers often bask in the sun before giving birth, in open rocky areas known as "basking knolls".

During the winter, Timber Rattlesnakes hibernate in dens, in limestone crevices, often together with Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) and Black Rat Snakes (Elaphe obsoleta). 

 Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal. IF we see one, and IF we don't hear the rattle, and IF we get too close, and IF it strikes, and IF it's not a dry bite, what to do


Pa. DCNR Dept info on Timber Rattlesnakes. 
PDF Brochure: "Rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania State Forests" <-- right-click, choose "save target as.."


Copperheads 



The Copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the eastern United States. It is also known by the name "Highland Moccasin." As a species, it belongs to the genus "Agkistrodon" which also includes the Cottonmouth, also known as the "Water Moccasin".

Copperheads are usually colorful and strikingly patterned snakes. They derive their name from the copper-like coloring of the head. The background color of the back and sides is tan to pinkish. There are darker, chestnut colored bands across the back and sides. Each band is of varying width, often described as hour-glass shaped. Newborn Copperheads are colored and patterned like adults, excepting the last inch of so of the tail which will be a bright, sulfur yellow color.
Adults are usually in the range of 24 to 36 inches in length, although specimens of greater than 42 inches are not rare. They give live birth to young. Copperheads eat small rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, amphibians, and insects.

Copperheads are venomous, pit vipers. Copperheads account for more cases of venomous snake bite than any of our other species. Fortunately, their venom is the least toxic of our species. Bites from Copperheads are very seldom fatal; however, a bite may still produce serious consequences.

Copperheads can be found in most all habitats, although they often prefer to be near streams and other waterways. They may be found on hilltops or lowlands. It is not unusual for Copperheads to be found in forested or undeveloped areas within and near suburban developments. The Copperhead is one of the most successful of our larger snake species. It is usually not difficult to find a Copperhead crossing a road on a warm summer night. Because of their habit of freezing at the approach of danger, many are killed by vehicle traffic.

Copperheads prefer habitats with lots of vines, vegetation and/or debris. Their coloration and patterning is very effective for camouflage in dead leaves on the forest floor. Copperheads rely upon camouflage and cover for safety. When danger is perceived, Copperheads will usually freeze in place and remain motionless for the threat to pass. This strategy works well in their natural habitat. Unless a person steps on them, grasps them, or otherwise comes very, very close to them, Copperheads will not usually bite. However, the bite will be readily used as a last defense. An agitated Copperhead will vibrate its tail rapidly. The relative abundance of Copperheads and their occurrences near human habitations is the reason bites from Copperheads are at the top of venomous snake bite statistics in the eastern US.

Cottonmouth 

a.k.a. Water Moccasin --- Cottonmouth territory extends from the South to lower Virginia and lower W. Virginia

It is found throughout Florida, with a range extending north to Virginia and west to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Its habitat encompasses wetlands and waterways, such as streams, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, sloughs, reservoirs, retention pools, canals, and even roadside ditches. Occasionally it can be found rather far from the water, and has been found in trees and bushes. Cottonmouths feed primarily on fish, frogs, mice, rats, and other small mammals.


Often, cottonmouths are confused with water snakes, non-poisonous snakes who share the same habitats. These harmless water snakes are often killed out of fear and ignorance. Actually, cottonmouths are also often killed for the same reasons. Except for self defense or positive identification in the case of snakebite, it is best to leave all snakes alone. Snakes help keep the environment in balance. For instance, a shortage of snakes means an increase in the mice and rat population, which brings on epidemics of disease often fatal for humans. Also, picking up or attempting to kill a snake can be one sure way of being bitten.

Found in the eastern United States from extreme southeastern Virginia, south through the Florida peninsula and west to Arkansas, southeastern Kansas, eastern and southern Oklahoma, and eastern and central Texas. A few records exist of the species being found along the Rio Grande in Texas, but these are thought to represent disjunct populations, now possibly extirpated. The type locality given is "Carolina," although Schmidt (1953) proposed that this be restricted to the area around Charleston, South Carolina.[1]

Campbell and Lamar (2004) mentions this species as being found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, eastern Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.[4] Maps provided by Campbell and Lamar (2004) and Wright and Wright (1957) also indicate its presence in eastern Tennessee and extreme southeastern Nebraska.[4][2]

In Georgia it is found in the southern half of the state up to a few kilometers north of the fall line with few exceptions. Its range also includes the Ohio River Valley as far north as southern Illinois, and it inhabits many barrier islands off the coasts of the states where it is found.


Black Bears

   

** In 2008, on Boys Backpacking Trip, we saw a young black bear. It was walking across the road as we drove through World's End. Mama bear might have been close by; bear looked about 1 year old. **

East Coast forests are habitat for black bears. Although they appear cute and cuddly like a teddy bear, black bears are wild animals. 

A black bear can scramble up a tree like a raccoon and sprint as fast as a race horse. Bears use their claws to tear apart rotting logs to find food, and those claws also work well to open garbage cans and coolers. The size and strength of a black bear is astonishing.

Black bears have poor eyesight and fair hearing, but an excellent sense of smell. Aromatic scents coming from your food can attract a curious and hungry bear from a great distance.  Store all food items inside a vehicle. At primitive, walk-in campsites, suspend food between two trees, ten feet in the air and three feet from either tree.

Black bears normally avoid people, but bears dependent on eating human food can become slightly aggressive when people get between them and food. If you come in contact with a black bear, try chasing it away by making loud noises like yelling, honking a car horn or banging a pot. Notify a park employee if you have difficulties with bears.

Never approach a bear and be especially wary of mother bears and cubs.

Ursus americanus 

The black bear ranges across forested Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia as well as much of the United States. A solitary animal most of the year, they pair up briefly during the mating season. Cubs remain with their mother for about a year, which prevents them from being killed by the adult males. 
Black bears swim well and often climb trees to feed on buds and fruit. They have a keen sense of smell, acute hearing, but poor eyesight. They can be seen at any hour of the day, but are most active at night. When very young, the cubs cry when afraid and hum when contented. 
Black bears are omnivorous; their diet consists of about 75 percent vegetable matter, 15 percent carrion, and 10 percent insects and small mammals. Their love for honey is well known, and sweet, ripe corn in autumn is also a favorite.