Day 1 – Ride from Waterville parking area to Hoffman Campground (just south of Blackwell, PA) NOTE: we will have a basecamp at Hoffman.
Day 2 – Ride to Turkey Path for a hike to the top of the canyon (26 miles round trip) OR ride to the end of the trail (51 miles round trip) OR stop anywhere along the way and turn around OR don’t ride at all and hang out at camp. Afternoon swim at Rattlesnake Rock (not to be missed).
Day 3 – Hoffman Campground to parking area at Waterville
On Day 1, you should target meeting at the Waterville trail access parking at 10 AM and be on the trail by 10:30. There’s a great lunch will be in Slate Springs.
On Day 2, you can ride north along the trail to Turkey Path and hike up the top of the canyon and the Maple Cart! Multiple stops along the way 26-mile day. Don’t break camp so no gear to carry on Day 2! The Day 2 Route below ends somewhere in the middle for a turn around in Ansonia at the Burnin’ Barrel Bar.
On Day 3, returning to the start stopping for lunch at the general store in Slate Run. Easy roll back to the start and drive home. 24 mile day.
Food – at a minimum, Day 1 (dinner, snacks), Day 2 (breakfast, dinner, snacks), and Day 3 (breakfast, snacks).
Trash – practice leave no trace and remember NO group trash bag collection. Manage your own trash. Pack it in, pack it out (at least as far as the next trash can)
Hammock campers – I would advise against it if you have a tent option. You could possibly end up sleeping in the woods and there are bears.
Water – bring your filters and water management tools. We drink from the creek.
Creek – If your trip is a warm weather trip to Pine Creek bring water shoes (rocky bottom) and something to get wet in might be a good idea.
Bathrooms – if you have not been to Pine Creek before there is a permanent bathroom installation at the campsite with a chemical pit toilet. No running water and it’s a pumpout facility (it is smelly but it is not a porta potty).
Turkey Path – you can hike to the top of the “canyon” on Saturday. It’s about a mile hike so good walking shoes are a good idea. It is a combination of stairs, boardwalk, and natural surface trail. Easy to hike – not technical at all. There are Canadians there AND the occasional Elvis sighting.
Weather – Check weather underground for Blackwell, PA for the best weather forecast.
Blackwell store – there is a small general store about a mile maybe a mile and half from the campground. Cold drinks, snacks, and ICE CREAM!
Hoffman campground – plenty of space to spread out although we may or may not be the only group there. The campground does have a pavilion, picnic tables, and fire rings. You will need to make reservations for a group of 12 or more.
RideWithGPS Route Link Day 1: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21840294
RideWithGPS Route Link Day 2: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21840350
RideWithGPS Route Link Day 3: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28144486
