CoreyB’s Trip Reports
Explore 75 Trip Reports (trail reviews) by MyHikes contributor, CoreyB
Hilborn Loop
State Game Lands 68
Slate Run, PA
Slate Run, PA
6.8
miles
/ 10.9 km
May 03, 2024
Second time getting to experience this loop (previously did along with a full GET & Dragons Back super loop in Feb). For this hike, I started at the pull-off at the Hilborn junction of Pine Creek Rail trail, then started up the rail trail (under 1mi). This makes a good warmup, b/c the climb up Hiborn is a challenge for sure! I chose to do the Hilborn loop clockwise which does have the steeper/harder climb up, but also gets to the vistas sooner (since I thought it was going to get cloudy later). No blazes, but the trail is easy to follow. The first inland vista is nice, and then once you reach the top you get to enjoy the even better main Hilborn vista where you can see over Slate Run & the iron bridge (which looks tiny from there). The best is yet to come though...one of the highlights continuing along the trail is a cool 'W' shaped tree, then reaching Twin Mtn vista is a truly majestic sight -one of the most amazing & unique Pine Creek views (& I've seen all of the best)! Really cool being able to see over to Cedar Run (Chimney Rocks), as well as all the way up to Gillespie Point and beyond! After continuing on the wide grass road, making the right turn to GET leads to the nice Bonnel Run vista. Taking the Hilborn trail back down is more gradual (could even trail run), passing some nice Hemlocks and eventually hearing & seeing the peaceful stream as it flows out to Pine Creek. Another wonderful Pine Creek area hike that is well worth the efforts!
Hiking
Birch Trail to Chimney Rocks
Tioga State Forest
Leetonia, PA
Leetonia, PA
1.8
miles
/ 2.9 km
May 03, 2024
Great "spine" hike with several nice vistas over the Cedar Run Valley (which has such a remote feel)! Also cool rock formations, a nice pine section towards the start, and plenty of blooming Columbines! Just did the climb all the way up to the ridge top where the deer fence was, then back down - easy enough to follow trail that does have some red blazes. A good climb, but nothing too steep. Took my time going up knowing there could be snakes amongst all the rocks, but didn't see any. The best part of doing this hike was getting to take a refreshing plunge into Cedar Run at the perfect swimming hole by the parking area & trailhead!
Hiking
Cedar Run Swimming Hole
Tioga State Forest
Leetonia, PA
Leetonia, PA
0.0
miles
/ 0 km
May 03, 2024
Perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing plunge into the clear waters of Cedar Run after a nice climb up & back on the adjacent Birch Trail! Nice having the parking area, as well as flat rocks to sit for a little lunch. small cascades just upstream to add to the scene. The water was deep enough to jump off the rock, but not super deep (under 10ft in middle).
Hiking
Fall Run Falls
Tioga State Forest
Cedar Run, PA
Cedar Run, PA
4.5
miles
/ 7.2 km
May 03, 2024
This is not an easy waterfall to reach, but still glad I made my way down to see the nice waterfall! Rather than the way described in the write-up, I started farther north with a bigger pull-out area just above the beautiful cabin. I then walked down the forest road (only about .25mi) until nearing where Fall Run is, then made the super steep bank climb down, crossed over Cedar Run which was only shin-deep, and then able to access the falls fairly close to the confluence. Beautiful fall with lots of rock dimension for the water to drip down beyond the main flow, plus lots of vibrant moss! Scaled above the falls on the left side to see if anything good was above, but nothing within sight, so didn't explore more. Crossed back over Cedar Run, then scaled the super steep bank up that requires finding trees to use for bracing to avoid slipping down the dry leaves, and then at least only a short walk on the road back to parking area. Did this hike after Birch Trail & the swimming hole there, and then also headed down to Mine Hole Run for that, Long Branch Falls, and Hamilton Hollow Falls. A challenging but great day of waterfall exploring along the remote & beautiful Cedar Run!
Hiking
Mine Hole Run Falls
Tioga State Forest
Cedar Run, PA
Cedar Run, PA
4.5
miles
/ 7.2 km
May 03, 2024
Wow, what a truly beautiful spot! Clear water, huge rock grotto, towering Hemlocks, and a deep pool that was very refreshing to jump into! It's nice that this is at least back a long, narrow forest road to keep this still less busy (had it all to myself on a perfect May Friday)! Also hiked to Long Branch falls, as well as Hamilton Hollow falls starting from this parking area after hiking Birch Trail & the awesome swimming hole there for another refreshing plunge!
Hiking
Hamilton Hollow Falls on Cedar Run
Tioga State Forest
Cedar Run, PA
Cedar Run, PA
4.5
miles
/ 7.2 km
May 03, 2024
I chose to start from the Mine Hole Run parking area, then started along the Vanaimes trail heading towards Hamilton Hollow. As I saw the trail start heading uphill more, I chose to drop down off-trail and angle towards the confluence. The banks here are super steep, so only those comfortable & athletic should attempt this. If going again, I'd probably stay on the main trail until reaching the run, and then off-trail along the run (as well as continue upstream for the other cascades). After a short walk in/along Cedar Run, it was nice to see this pretty waterfall very close to where Hamilton empties into Cedar Run. Lots of moss & even some Trillium blooming right at the falls. To head back to my car, I creek walked Cedar Run until where I could see the climb up the steep bank back to the road was at least short.
Hiking
Long Branch Falls
Tioga State Forest
Cedar Run, PA
Cedar Run, PA
4.5
miles
/ 7.2 km
May 03, 2024
Did this in combination with Hamilton Hollow & Mine Hole Run falls. After the steep little climb on Long Branch Trail, mostly flat, easy hiking to reach Long Branch falls which was a very nice smaller waterfall! Plenty of wildflowers along the trail, as well as the sounds of Cedar Run below to enjoy! Definitely worth the quick/easy trip to see this waterfall, especially since it can be combined with others in the area.
Hiking
Middle Rock Run Falls
McIntyre Wild Area
McIntyre Township, PA
McIntyre Township, PA
0.2
miles
/ 0.3 km
June 17, 2021
Some of the most beautiful blue water you'll ever see in PA (besides Stony Fork Creek)! I've seen lots of fish swimming in the deep pool below the falls here too. I like Middle better than Upper & Lower Falls. Perfect for a summer bday trip, and have also seen with peak Fall foliage, and in snow/ice during Winter.
Hiking
Upper Rock Run Falls
McIntyre Wild Area
McIntyre Township, PA
McIntyre Township, PA
0.2
miles
/ 0.3 km
October 08, 2022
Been here in all seasons, and each time has been amazing! Other than Stony Fork Creek, my favorite PA stream - just beautiful beyond words! Did the cold jump into the water from the rocks before, saw the falls frozen, and with peak Fall foliage. I like the Middle Falls a bit better than upper.
Hiking
Miners Falls
McIntyre Wild Area
Trout Run, PA
Trout Run, PA
1.6
miles
/ 2.6 km
October 14, 2022
One of my favorite PA waterfall hikes that I've done in snow, summer (alongside my young daughter who did great with some of the tricky scrambles), and this trip with peak Fall foliage which was magnificent! I start on the left side, then cross over below the 3rd falls (which can be done dry), and then continue up the right bank the rest of the way before using the old grade for the quicker return route. When I did this with snow/ice falls, not as nice as other icy waterfall hikes,as the falls get more "blobby", however, the waterfall of Dutchmans Run in McIntyre Wild Area make for an amazing icy falls hike (just very challenging)!
Hiking
Band Rock Vista Trail
McIntyre Wild Area
Roaring Branch, PA
Roaring Branch, PA
1.1
miles
/ 1.8 km
February 06, 2023
Been to this vista in both snow & summer, but only though longer hikes around McIntyre. Excellent vista, and worth the effort, whether hiking up the main road (which can have pond-sized potholes that wouldn't be good for most vehicles anyway)! Won't include my gpx since it doesn't match the easiness of this listing, but hit up all of the Rock Run falls, then up all of Miners Run falls, up to vista, and then down all of Dutchmans Run for the hardest snow/icy falls hike I've done (11+ miles before I had bought micro-spikes which are a game-changer & life saver)!
Hiking
Double Run to Canyon Vista Loop
Worlds End State Park
Forksville, PA
Forksville, PA
5.82
miles
/ 9.4 km
June 12, 2021
Love the main vista (which can be driven to also), as well as another on way up, plus another on Cold Run section! Boulder field at top perfect for kids! Cold Run section made hike a little too long for 4yr old & not quite as exciting with low water levels of falls, but the rock formations at the top are worth seeing/hiking through! I've done Double Run trail as separate hikes multiple times, and that is a very family-friendly, beautiful waterfall hike that would be nice to combine for a longer hike option.
Hiking
