Black Forest Trail
Encyclopedia
The Black Forest Trail is a 42-mile loop trail that resides in Pennsylvania's Tiadaghton State Forest
in parts of Lycoming
, Potter
, and Clinton
counties. Many other forest roads, hiking and cross country ski trails cross the Black Forest Trail making it possible to do shorter loops for dayhikes or shorter backpacking trips. The Black Forest trail is known for many steep ascents and descents as well as spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge
and other canyons to the west.
the BFT is blazed with orange. Side trails are blazed blue.
) on Slate Run Road. The trail can also be accessed from Pennsylvania Route 44
, which it crosses twice, north of Waterville, Pennsylvania
. In addition the trail crosses several dirt forest roads.
short while through a pine plantation. You immediately cross Slate Run which is unbridged and requires fording. You then climb about 1000 feet in a mile and a half. Part way up you come across an old quarry that offers spectacular views of the valley carved by Slate Run Creek. Then next several miles explore the plateau that is the Alcinda wilderness area. This section is generally level. About mile six you descend along the Red Run, passing several nice campsites (including one at the top of the plateau before you descend), finally recrossing the Slate Run around mile 8. You then are greeted with another gradual 1000 foot climb, part of which is on an old logging road. The trail once again follows the plateau to the west, with level hiking for the next several miles. The Sentiero Di Shay ski trail cross the BFT twice in this section and can be used to make alternative loops. Around the 13 mile mark you cross Pennsylvania Route 44
in a beautiful stand of hemlocks. The trail slowly descends and for the next several miles and follows the County Line Branch stream. This section has many water crossings that can be difficult in high water; campsites can be found in this section with the nicest being around mile 17 before you climb out of the valley. Around mile 17 the trail makes a steep climb to the plateau again. For the next 6 miles the trail follows the plateau with views to the west. The hiking in this section is generally mostly level with a few minor climbs, as well as several nice campsites, especially around mile 21. This section of trail also crosses several cross country ski trails that can be used to access Pennsylvania Route 44
. Finally around mile 24 the BFT recrosses Pennsylvania Route 44
. Following the crossing you have another couple miles of level hiking before taking on the much more rugged eastern section of the trail. Around mile 26 the trail drops down to Callahan Run (camping at the bottom), one of many runs that flow into Pine Creek. After dropping down you immediately climb back up (this is the general pattern for the rest of the trail). After climbing up the trail heads to Hemlock Mountain. At the top around mile 29 there is a wonderful, dry, mountaintop campsite with spectacular views of Pine Creek. Once again you drop down to Naval Run (nice large campsite at the bottom) and follow this for a little less than a mile before climb again up to the plateau. This particular climb has many outstanding views.
Tiadaghton State Forest
Tiadaghton State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #12. The forest is chiefly in western and southern Lycoming County, with small portions in Clinton, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties....
in parts of Lycoming
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
-Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau:Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau in the north and east, and the valley of the West Branch Susquehanna River between these.-West Branch Susquehanna River:The West Branch of the...
, Potter
Potter County, Pennsylvania
Potter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is in the Allegheny Plateau region. As of 2010, the population was 17,457. Its county seat is Coudersport. Potter County was named after James Potter, who was a general from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the...
, and Clinton
Clinton County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,914 people, 14,773 households, and 9,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile . There were 18,166 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
counties. Many other forest roads, hiking and cross country ski trails cross the Black Forest Trail making it possible to do shorter loops for dayhikes or shorter backpacking trips. The Black Forest trail is known for many steep ascents and descents as well as spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge
Pine Creek Gorge, also known as, The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, is situated in approximately 160,000 acres of the Tioga State Forest in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania along Pine Creek. The Canyon begins south of Ansonia, near Wellsboro, along U.S. Route 6 and continues for approximately...
and other canyons to the west.
Marking
As with most long distance trails in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
the BFT is blazed with orange. Side trails are blazed blue.
Trailheads
The official start of the trail is a short distance from the village of Slate Run (off of Pennsylvania Route 414Pennsylvania Route 414
Pennsylvania Route 414 is an long state highway located in Lycoming, Tioga, and Bradford counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 44 in Waterville...
) on Slate Run Road. The trail can also be accessed from Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44 is a -long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is designated from Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 42 in Buckhorn to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township....
, which it crosses twice, north of Waterville, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. In addition the trail crosses several dirt forest roads.
Description
This is a brief description starting counter-clockwise at from the main trailhead at Slate Run. From the trailhead you walk a veryshort while through a pine plantation. You immediately cross Slate Run which is unbridged and requires fording. You then climb about 1000 feet in a mile and a half. Part way up you come across an old quarry that offers spectacular views of the valley carved by Slate Run Creek. Then next several miles explore the plateau that is the Alcinda wilderness area. This section is generally level. About mile six you descend along the Red Run, passing several nice campsites (including one at the top of the plateau before you descend), finally recrossing the Slate Run around mile 8. You then are greeted with another gradual 1000 foot climb, part of which is on an old logging road. The trail once again follows the plateau to the west, with level hiking for the next several miles. The Sentiero Di Shay ski trail cross the BFT twice in this section and can be used to make alternative loops. Around the 13 mile mark you cross Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44 is a -long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is designated from Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 42 in Buckhorn to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township....
in a beautiful stand of hemlocks. The trail slowly descends and for the next several miles and follows the County Line Branch stream. This section has many water crossings that can be difficult in high water; campsites can be found in this section with the nicest being around mile 17 before you climb out of the valley. Around mile 17 the trail makes a steep climb to the plateau again. For the next 6 miles the trail follows the plateau with views to the west. The hiking in this section is generally mostly level with a few minor climbs, as well as several nice campsites, especially around mile 21. This section of trail also crosses several cross country ski trails that can be used to access Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44 is a -long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is designated from Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 42 in Buckhorn to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township....
. Finally around mile 24 the BFT recrosses Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44
Pennsylvania Route 44 is a -long state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route is designated from Interstate 80 and Pennsylvania Route 42 in Buckhorn to the New York state line near New York State Route 417 in Ceres Township....
. Following the crossing you have another couple miles of level hiking before taking on the much more rugged eastern section of the trail. Around mile 26 the trail drops down to Callahan Run (camping at the bottom), one of many runs that flow into Pine Creek. After dropping down you immediately climb back up (this is the general pattern for the rest of the trail). After climbing up the trail heads to Hemlock Mountain. At the top around mile 29 there is a wonderful, dry, mountaintop campsite with spectacular views of Pine Creek. Once again you drop down to Naval Run (nice large campsite at the bottom) and follow this for a little less than a mile before climb again up to the plateau. This particular climb has many outstanding views.
Hazards
Hazards on the trail include the Timber Rattler which are found in reasonable numbers in the area. Although the chances of getting bit are small pay attention to where you are walking or putting your hands when rock scrambling as they can be found on or near the trail. The trail also includes several very steep climbs. Make sure you can physically handle strenuous terrain. Finally the trail has many unbridged stream crossings, especially on the County Line Branch stream. In periods of high water some crossings require fording and getting your feet wet. The beginning of the trail crosses the Slate Run stream which is about 30 feet wide and no longer has a bridge. Slate Run Stream is impossible to cross without walking through 1 to 2 feet of water in any time of year so alternative footwear for crossing this stream and other possible water crossings is advisable.External links
- http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/black.aspx - Pennsylvania DNR website about the Black Forest Trail
- http://www.pahikes.com/trails/black-forest-trail - Description of several hikes on the Black Forest Trail
- http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id194.html - Description of the northern half of the trail.
- http://www.midatlantichikes.com/bfts.htm - Description of the southern half of the trail