The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

While I’m in Pennsylvania for the next two months, I thought I’d try as many walking trails as I could as I wind through the Keystone state. Trail number seven is the Barbour Rock Via West Rim Trail.

Several of my sponsors suggested that I not miss the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon”. Since it was on the way to my next venue, I decided to hike a portion of the many trails through the area.

Trailhead

Existing in the north central part of the state, this area is comprised of several state parks, including Colton Point and Leonard Harrison state parks. The “canyon” lies abreast of Pine Creek, which has cut a deep gorge through the mountains. I was surprised how steep the mountain was through this area.

Several water crossing on the trail

This trail is entirely in the trees until the very end with a 736 foot elevation gain over in just over 2 1/2 miles. I met no one else along the trail and could just relax and soak in the solitude. Finally, I reached the end of the section of the trail I had picked. I was rewarded with a beautiful vista available through a break in the trees. All the trees in the area are beginning to assume their finest fall colors and the result was breathtaking.

The reward at the end of the trail