Pa Grand Canyon Update 8/14/24

A second partial checkout ride was performed on 8/14 by the ride organizer.  The good news is the water level has dropped at Babb Creek and it can now be safely forded (remember your sandals, the bottom is very slippery).  The bad news is the bridge along Little Pine Creek is not passable necessitating a reroute on SR287 back to the start.

The route has changed fairly significantly from last year, please use version 7 of the route/cues which were updated 2024-08-14 17:53:51 EDT.

There are 5 significant non-paved sections:

1 – PCRT (Mile 0-16.7) We’ll be utilizing the Pine Creek Rail Trail from the start until it crosses SR414 past Jersey Mills.  This will avoid some parts of SR414 that are being repaired/repaved.

2 – Slate Run to Colton Pt (Mile 27-55).  After controlling at the Slate Run General Store, we’ll backtrack, cross Pine Creek and endure a very steep paved climb leaving the Pine Creek Valley.  After this initial beast, the road turns to gravel and you’ll continue to stair step climb.  At mile 38.5 there is a fairly long and steep gravel descent with some sharp turns involved.  Keep your speed in check as the turns come up quickly and there is loose gravel in many of the turns. This section ends with the wonderful view at the Colton Point Lookout.  After enjoying the view you’ll have a long (paved) descent to Ansonia.  This descent is very twisty, the road is narrow and you’ll be sharing the road with oncoming motorists who are too busy looking for bear and deer so keep your speed down.

3 - Ansonia to SR660 (Mile 61-65).  This is a shaded climb with well packed gravel leading to a pleasant descent on paved SR660.

4 - Stony Fork to Babb Creek (Mile 70-75) A beautiful, slightly downhill section with well packed dirt.  At the end of this section you’ll ford Babb Creek which is currently about 18” deep.  The bottom consists of smooth round rocks which are very slippery.  I would NOT recommend attempting to walk this bare footed this year as the bottom is harder to see.  Sandals, water shoes, crocs, etc. are highly recommended.

5 - Hurley Hill to Liberty (Mile 79-88) This is the most technically challenging section and has some moderately loose gravel on Nauvoo and Ritter Roads with a few gravel descents. 

The start location is at the Jersey Shore recreational parking area off Railroad Street (3 blocks West of Bridge Street).  There is a Nittany Mini Mart at 815 Allegheny St. but not much else will be open prior to the ride start.

My GPS recognizes the start as 445 Railroad St. Jersey Shore, PA. 

Controls/Resupply points:

1 - Wolf General Store [Slate Run] (mile 28).  A well-stocked store with excellent made-to-order breakfast sandwiches.  If you’ve got some time to spend while they’re making your sandwich, go downstairs and see their fly fishing department.  You may want to grab some extra food since you’re next resupply will not be until mile 67.

2 - Burnin’ Barrel Bar [Ansonia] (mile 59).  Unfortunately, the bar is closed until further notice.  I’ll be there with water and encouragement (but not much else).

3a - Stony Fork Country Store [Stony Fork] (mile 67).  This is a small, Mennonite owned grocery.  They have a sign on the front door requesting patrons wear long sleeved shirts and trousers but they’ve always been pleasant to me in my cycling gear.  I believe this is a cash only establishment.

3b -Stony Fork Campground store (mile 69).  This is a typical campground store with limited drink options (water/soda) and not much more than candy, crackers and ice cream.

4 - Exxon [Liberty] Mile 87.  This is a veritable oasis with clean bathrooms and hot food.  You’ll be pretty tired when you get there so it’s a great place to get reenergized. 

5 – Dandy Mini Mart [Salladasburg] (Mile 117). 

As noted on the route description there is very little cell phone coverage on course so don’t plan on staying in contact with the outside world.  You’ll have coverage at Ansonia, Liberty and along SR287 at the end.