West Rim Trail - PA Grand Canyon hike - Northbound from Rattlesnake Rock in Blackwell to Ansonia on Monday June 3rd thru Wednesday June 6th 2013.

I had been planning this hike since last fall when I saw Perrito's and SilvrSufers thread on their trek along the West Rim trail - Thanks guys for all the usefull links.

One of our kids was in weeklong camp and the M-I-L said she would watch over our other oldest child while my wife and I had our first hiking/camping trip together/alone since our kids were born - over 13 years. I contacted Pine Creek Outfitters a few weeks in advance and ordered the Guide to the WRT and a shuttle to the southern terminus. The guide book and map are well worth the small fee.

We saw a total of 4 people on the entire 30 mile trail...and all only on the second day...an elderly couple taking a short dayhike, and a father and son team who were doing the 30mi hike southbound. They started the same day we did. We saw noone on day 1 or 3. We camped along a run on each night and the flowing water made for nice white noise for peaceful sleeping. The scenery was spectacular and weather was very comfortable with highs in the low 70's and lows in low 40's. Water was abundant. My pack weight with 3 days/3nights food with 3L water was 27lbs, while my wifes was only 23lbs with 2L water.

Some new items used this trip...Trimble Backbacker GPS Pro app for Android, REI Flex Lite Chair, New Imusa cook kit, Superfeet greens, and an REI Passage 2 tent. Yeah. A tent. My wife isn't keen on hammocks and we wanted to be together anyway so...yeah...no hammock this time. Hope that doesn't put you off too much.

We had a great trip. Terrain was fairly easy. We were shuttled to the southern terminus and started our hike at 4:30pm. We hiked about just over 4 miles mostly uphill to our first camp and the intersection of the Bohen Run Trail. The second day we hiked about 14 miles and camped at the Little Slate Run. Our final day was about 13 miles with some great vistas at Colton Point where we watched what I think were vultures riding the termals. The final 2-3 miles were tough on my wife but we made it out alive! Yeah!

At the northern terminus there is a bar and an ice cream shop. The whole 3rd day's hike all we could think of was ice cream. But alas the shop was closed with a "For lease" sign was the window. Boo! So we went next door to the Burnin' Barrel Bar and had a couple Dogfish Head 90 min IPA's and a couple burgers to cap our hike.

Well here are some pics we took that I would like to share. I hope you enjoy them.



Filling out the trail registry




A shed we found along the way to our first camp




Bohen Run trail sign. We camped directly below the sign at the intersection of the WRT and the Bohen Trail which takes you to the Mid State Trail.


First nights camp with creek on the left.


Camp kitchen. A nice creekside flat rock




Making dinner....Mountain House Beef Stroganoff and Pasta Primavera.


A morning view of the creek making its way to our camp.


We only saw 4 people on the entire trail. A father and son (Isaiah) tandem was nice enough to take this picture.


Killer view northward up Pine Creek.


And southward from the same spot


Bradley Wales Picnic Area...outhouses, trash dump, and water!




View just north of Bradley Wales


Footbridge across Little Slate Run where we camped for the second night.


Dipping the dawgs in the water sitting on the footbridge....cold but soothing!


Jenn shows off her fire making skills.


Getting breakfast ready for the last day




The path to the left and creek to the right as we set off for our last day of hiking. Only about 13 miles to go!




View from Colton Point State Park of the PA Grand Canyon


There were few predator birds visible from Colton Point SP which is known as a great place to watch bids riding the thermals. We saw a few here that we suspect were vultures although eagles are in the area.


We made it. Here comes Jenn...the last few miles were tough on her but if you look close you can see that she is smiling!


Beer and burger at the Burnin' Barrel at northern terminus. Closed ice cream shop sign in distance.


That was a fun hike. I will try to do it again sometime...perhaps next time in the fall. Thanks for looking.