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Ice Break Trail

The Ice Break Trail at Tioga State Forest near Gaines, Pennsylvania is an easy 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that leads from Painter-Leetonia Road out to the West Rim Trail to a nice vista point above Pine Creek at Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon).

This trail does not have much to note other than it's a nice peaceful mostly-flat hike. At the end of the trail is the vista point and a campsite along the West Rim Trail, along with a trail registry box.

Parking
Hikers will find a tiny parking turnout next to the trailhead. This parking turnout can fit about 2 vehicles max. Do not block the road or park down the road if parking is full.

Backpacking and Camping
Backpackers will find a campsite at the end of this trail. There are also plenty of flat spots off-trail where you can likely setup a tent or hammock as well. Please follow all state forest rules and regulations for dispersed / backcountry / primitive camping.

Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed.

Blaze Color
This trail follows yellow blazes.

Winter Maintenance
The state forest does not maintain this road during the winter. Do not attempt to drive this road without the proper equipment.
Explore 278 trails near Gaines, PA

Know Before You Go

  • Ice Break Trail is an easy, mostly flat 1.5-mile out-and-back hike in Tioga State Forest near Gaines, PA.
  • The trail leads to a vista point overlooking Pine Creek Gorge and connects to the West Rim Trail, featuring a campsite and trail registry.
  • Parking is limited to a small turnout for about 2 vehicles, and the road is not maintained in winter; leashed dogs are permitted.
Interactive topographic map for Ice Break Trail located in Gaines, PA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
1.5 mi
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
45 min
Elev. Gain
100'
Rating
0.0
Added
October 12, 2020
Updated
April 08, 2021

Weather Forecast

Today
High 86°F
Mostly Sunny
Tonight
Low 63°F
Partly Cloudy
Saturday
High 83°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Saturday Night
Low 61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunday
High 81°F
Sunny
Sunday Night
Low 55°F
Mostly Clear
Monday
High 82°F
Sunny
Monday Night
Low 55°F
Mostly Clear
Tuesday
High 85°F
Sunny
Tuesday Night
Low 60°F
Partly Cloudy
Wednesday
High 87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wednesday Night
Low 65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Thursday
High 89°F
Chance Rain Showers
Thursday Night
Low 66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
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Total Change
39 ft.
12 m
Ascent
100 ft.
30 m
Descent
102 ft.
31 m
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Camping
PA Wilds logo PA Wilds

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    41.65569, -77.482521
  2. Main Trailhead

    41.655671, -77.48266
  3. Vista along West Rim Trail

    41.658181, -77.471436
    Vista along West Rim Trail
  4. Campsite along West Rim Trail

    41.658161, -77.471367
    Campsite along West Rim Trail

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Hazards

Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

Markers

Blaze Color

Yellow

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Your opinion matters! Be the first to rate this trail.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience!

1.5 miles / 2.4 km
May 27, 2026
I saw mushrooms too! This is not the best trail - maybe a logging road or old railroad. Could use some TLC. Somewhat overgrown, lots of spiderwebs. But BOY are you underselling the view with the pictures you posted. Maybe you didn't walk out past that little fence to the very edge but this is one of the finest 180 degree views in Pine Creek, even better than Bradley Wales. I found this vista actually through Corey Bires on Alltrails, he did the whole west rim trail in a day and then biked back to his car, very impressive. But this hike is pretty short - still took me two hours because I went very slowly but you aren't far from the road and could probably just blaze from where the road is closest to the view instead.
Hiking

Pictures

1.5 miles / 2.4 km
July 18, 2023
Found heaps of black trumpet mushrooms and a few chanterelles.
Hiking
1.5 miles / 2.4 km
August 30, 2020
Dogs Hiking
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

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