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Post by anfhiker on Sept 26, 2019 19:39:41 GMT -5
One of the more popular treks in the ANF just got an update. The Morrison Trail's Rimrock Loop recently was moved from its track across the ledge above the Kinzua Reservoir and up Campbell Run. If you are doing the trail clockwise, it leaves the original route right about 5 miles in, just past the grassy log road you walk up for a few hundred yards between sidehill sections. The trail then switchbacks up between some large boulders to a higher ledge and passes a rocky section before switchbacking again to move up to the top of the plateau through some nice sections of laurel and black gum understory. It then re-enters the Rimrock Loop above Campbell Run.
I had noticed some trail work when I was hiking with a friend in July, but I was surprised to see that they were actually moving the trail. The section cut out was often wet and side hill, plus the hill going up (or worse, down) was very steep and could get slippery as well. I didn't take any photos or GPS it, although I will do so my next time there. As a guess, I think the new track is maybe a half mile or so longer than the old one, and is quite a bit prettier IMO. The only loss is that Campbell Run is a pretty stream, but the trail stayed a bit back from the stream anyway.
Anyway, if you're in NWPA and want to check out a "new" trail, the Morrison Trail is worth a look again!
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Post by jmitch on Sept 30, 2019 15:59:56 GMT -5
Thanks. I liked the Morrison Trail, great hike. I do wish they had a trail connecting Morrison to Rimrock Overlook.
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Post by jmitch on Oct 7, 2019 17:09:27 GMT -5
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Post by anfhiker on Oct 14, 2019 12:02:23 GMT -5
Jeff, that is a different set of trails. I think the reroute actually starts and ends very close to where those two trails link into the NW part of the Morrison Trail though.
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Post by jmitch on Oct 15, 2019 15:03:20 GMT -5
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Post by anfhiker on Oct 15, 2019 19:45:43 GMT -5
Yep, that's exactly it! It's a nice addition to the trail and like I guessed, a little bit further than the original trail.
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Post by anfhiker on Jul 17, 2020 8:29:55 GMT -5
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Post by jmitch on Jul 18, 2020 9:54:48 GMT -5
Great news, let us know what it is like. Hopefully the ANF will get more trails. Looks like a new trail has been approved from Kinzua Beach along the reservoir to Campbell Run and Morrison Trail. See decision no. 2 in the link below www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55985
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Post by anfhiker on Jul 18, 2020 22:41:29 GMT -5
Great news, let us know what it is like. Hopefully the ANF will get more trails. Looks like a new trail has been approved from Kinzua Beach along the reservoir to Campbell Run and Morrison Trail. See decision no. 2 in the link below www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55985A fun story about Campbell Run. It's on the PA wild trout list that I keep and track where I've fished over the years. At one point I had a goal to fish every native trout stream in the ANF. I've gotten to most in the northern half of the Forest. So since this one counted, I wanted to go. At this point, I had just barely gotten into hiking. It was May of 2012, and I had never gone on a backpacking trip in my life and had only done a few hikes on trails (plenty of fishing treks though). So I thought that I could walk the reservoir edge from Kinzua Beach and reach the stream, maybe fish and then head up the hill and hopefully find a trail back to the Beach. Long story short, I trekked over and fished the stream, which I'm pretty sure was an accidental addition to the list as I don't think there are any fish in it at all. Then I decided to walk up the hill on Morrison Trail and hope to find something heading toward Rimrock. I did find an old goat path generally where the new reroute (from 2019) starts, then ended up on the road to the overlook. By this point, my feet were blistered as I had worn regular shoes with cotton socks. I walked out to the view and down through the rocks, then found an old grade I followed back to my car. That grade is what became the official PKP trail from the beach to Rimrock. Anyway, that was a fond (but painful) memory. With the route you are showing on the ANF proposal, one could make some interesting loops starting at Kinzua Beach and the Rimrock Loop, Morrison Loop, and the new trails. Perhaps even something as long as 18 miles or so.
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