02/28/10

Trip Review

The BP rates at the bottom of our hiking adventures. This trail is not very exciting, few vistas (2) & lots of pipeline walking, especially trip 1. The highlights of this hike are the Northern Terminus mountains, Whitehead Run area, a neat swimming hole, beaver reminisce & most definitely Rock Run & its waterfall! The Bucktail Path is worth hiking, but it is not the most exciting backpacking adventure out there.

This trail starts in the small town of Sinnemahoning heads northwest by Grove Run, ascending the mountain to one of the few vistas at mile 2.58. Entering the Johnson Run Natural Area, following the mountain top and hooking up with the pipeline at mile 4.85, traveling it for 2.25miles! Next you will ascend the mountain and traverse through a large blueberry patch with a view (nice area). The next highlight of this trip is Brooks Run Fire Tower at mile 9.82. Continuing your journey north hitting up the pipeline a few more times and crossing some roads here and there. Finally, reaching some water at m10.71 descending to Brooks Run (camping here). Head upstream cross the pipeline and Ridge Rd, turn back, zigzagging NE to NW, cross the pipeline 5 more times. Finally you will swing out NW to the Whitehead Run Area (neat area). Head NE along Rock Run, this is a big highlight of this hike. The run and the rocks are very cool. You will reach Hunts Run Rd at mile 20.19.

The second half of the hike is not much better, but it is easier traveling, except the end, but its not that bad. you will travel upstream along McNuff Branch passing a cool swimming hole at m20.82 and an area where a beaver used to live. Continue upstream following McNuff Branch for almost 5 more miles. The best water source is this run. The last 9 miles of this hike involves zigzagging up and down mountain ranges along logging roads, grassy roads and trails reaching Sizerville State Park at m34.06. Sizerville is a cool little park. The last hollow of this trip (Buffalo Switch) is a neat hollow and a good way to end the trip. We also passed some pretty flowers on the second half of this trail (Red Trilliums, Dutchman's Britches) and the biggest bear print I have ever seen at Crooked Run!
 

Directions

From Rt.220, take Rt.120 W, the Lock Haven exit. Follow for quite some time, passing Renovo (32 miles), continue on Rt.120 W for another 59 miles to the small town of Sinnemahoning. The take-out point is another 32 miles north. Follow Rt.120 W to Rt.155 N at the Emporium, PA junction to Sizerville State Park (2 miles north).

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