A course checkout was performed on Sunday 8/2 in a steady rain. Despite the
rain, the course is in excellent condition and Babb Creek had only about 12” of
water to ford. The route remains
unchanged but several notes were
added/corrected so please be sure you download the current (Rev. 2) cues/RWGPS
file titled PA Grand Canyon 26.
 |
| Colton Point |
Additional Details
The start location is at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Trailhead
Parking lot on Railroad Street (3 blocks West of Bridge Street) in Jersey
Shore, Pa. My GPS recognized the start
as 445 Railroad St. Jersey Shore, PA 17740. There are restrooms at the start location that
are generally opened before our 7:00 start time but sometimes state employees
oversleep so you may want to make other arrangements. Unfortunately there is a dearth of available
“other arrangements” near the start.
There is a Uni- Mart/Exxon Station at 101 Bridge Street and the Shore
Diner at 1211 Alleghany Street which opens at 6:00.
Other than the Pine Creek Trail, there are 4 significant non-paved
sections:
1.
Cedar Run to Colton Pt (Mile 32-53). This is the longest non-paved section and is
a stair step climb with some short descents.
This section is better described as hard packed dirt with some short
sections of well packed gravel with intermittent areas of bedrock peaking through the dirt/gravel. There
were a few muddy spots at the bottom of the descents.
2.
Ansonia to SR660 (Mile 59-61). This is a shaded climb with well packed
gravel leading to a pleasant descent onto paved SR660.
3.
Stony Fork to Babb Creek (Mile 68-73) A
beautiful, slightly downhill section with well packed dirt and a few short
muddy sections. At the end of this
section you’ll ford Babb Creek which is currently about 12” deep. The bottom consists of smooth round rocks
which are very slippery. It’s entirely
possibly to walk this bare footed (I’ve done it several times) but it was much
more pleasant tromping through it yesterday in my cycling sandals.
4.
Hurley Hill to Liberty (Mile 76-85) This WAS the
most technically challenging section of the course and still has some gravel
sections but the most difficult climbs on this section along Nauvoo Rd. has
been PAVED (I have no idea why). The
major decent on Ritter Road is still gravel and has some sections of loose
stone (don’t outrun your guardian angel!).
Dangers (these are noted on the cue sheet)!
Mile 28.3 This bridge over the Pine Creek is steel grate and
VERY Slippery when wet.
Mile 54 After you finish the climb to Colton Point and take a couple photos at het Lookout, you’ll climb a little more and then start a long descent to Ansonia. This descent is steep and twisty. There will likely be some mindless drivers coming uphill so keep to the right and keep your speed in check. This was the site of a nasty crash on this course a couple years ago.
Mile 83-85 – there are a couple short/steep descents on
Ritter Rd. and Brion Hill Rd. that have a fair amount of loose gravel
Mile 103.3 - the renovated suspension bridge over Little Pine Creek has a steel grate surface and was surprisingly slippery. I would highly recommend you walk this bridge if there is any moisture on ride day.
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. If you’re a
faster rider you may want to grab some extra food since you’re next resupply
will not be until mile 65.
2.
Burnin’ Barrel Bar [Ansonia] Mile 57. This is a country bar with excellent food
but, sadly doesn’t open until 12:00. For
faster riders, I’ll be there with water (but not much else).
3.
Stony Fork Country Store [Stony Fork] Mile
65. This is a small, Mennonite owned
grocery store. 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.
4.
Stony Fork Campground Mile 67 – this is a VERY
small store at a campground, they only have beverages and snacks.
5.
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. There are a few tables in
the back and there is also a pleasant lawn area outside (no tables),
6.
McConnell’s Country Store [Waterville] Mile 11and
115. Another well stocked general store
with a deli counter. If you’re extra
thirsty the Waterville Tavern is next door and has a good beer selection (or so
I’m told).
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 maybe Waterville.
