02/28/10

Trip Review

The BFT, in my opinion, is the most beautiful trail we have completed to date. With it's amazing vistas (39 of them), pretty waterfalls (3), awesome hollows, wildlife, challenging terrain, mixed forest, and an unbelievable hemlock tree (you will see!) this trail along with the Loyalsock Trail are the World Series of Pennsylvania hiking trails.

This was my second backpacking trip ever and no other trail has compared to this one, save it for the grand finale, but if you can't resist, enjoy!

The mixed pine plantation makes the trailhead just awesome. Soon you will cross Slate Run and begin to ascend to an outstanding vista (#2), entering the Algerine Wild Area, then descending the rocky area by Red Run to an outstanding campsite. Cross Morris Run (pretty area), up Brown Mt. to soon intersect the Sentiero Di Shay Trail (big trail), crossing Rt44 at mile 13.22 to enter a dense evergreen section, turning south to follow Line Branch downstream for a few miles, next you turn left and switchback up the mountain you just came down. Soon entering Aspen Meadows at mile 17.59. Next you will hang along the edge of the mountain to observe some more great views. Continuing the hike traveling up and down some hollows, turning east to cross Rt44 at mile 23.61.

The second half of the this hike is just as good as the first. The next 8 miles is challenging. You will travel across the mountain heading east, descending along the run turning back west up Callahan Run, turning east again, this time following the top of the mountain to Hemlock Mt. and its great views. From this point you will descend a steep section to Naval Run (nice waterfall on this run). Get ready for another switchback up the next mountain, across the top, turning all over the place. The last vista on this trail is absolutely wonderful (m40.67). This vista is the Columbine vista and offers a 270 degree panoramic up and down Slate Run & the Pine Creek. You are almost there. Descend this steep mountain, cross Slate Run Road, to then parallel the run and the road back to the trailhead. 
 

Directions

From Route 220, take Rt.44 N, the Pine Creek exit. Bear right onto Rt. 414 N. Follow this road along the Pine Creek until you reach the small town of Slate Run (roughly 30 miles from Jersey Shore). Turn left into Slate Run, cross Pine Creek, turn right at the stop sight, follow a short distance to the trailhead on the right (less than a mile). I hiked the trail in a counterclockwise direction.

Photos

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