History
The PT was named for Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the United States Forest service.
Philosophy
The PT is not a destination trail - it's two connected loops, a Northern and a Southern route. If one has to make time due to bad weather, injury, fatigue, etc. one can BAIL OUT. This route will get you back to your car faster than finishing the rest of the trail.
Character
This trail is an easy hike with a few tough spots. There's one hard climb - short but steep and a few stream or swamp crossings. If this is your first backpacking trip, bring someone with experience in hiking/camping.
Best Times to Hike
Spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom or fall, when the leaves are changing colors. 3-Day weekends are when the trails get the most traffic, don't go during this time if you're looking to be alone. Winter travel is all about snowshoes and skis.
Camping Permits
You need a permit. Stop in, call, or write these folks, they're here to help. Permits and map are both free anyway.
Bureau of Forestry
Forest District #11
401 Samters Bldg., 101 Penn Ave
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 963-4561
Email: fd11@state.pa.us
Pinchot Trail is located in:
Thornhurst Township, PA
Lackawanna County
Water
PT has so many springs and runs that I didn't bother to take note of all of them. You should always boil, filter, or chemically treat your water.
Fires
As far as I know, small camp fires are permitted at campsites and only near water. Open fires are probably not permitted when the forest fire danger is high or extreme. Remember, when you do get a fire going, leave your testosterone at home and keep the fire small.
Emergencies
Know some first aid. Get to a phone and dial 911.
Groups
The more people you take, the more complicated things get, and the slower you go. However, sometimes, the more the merrier. I wouldn't take less than 2 nor more than 8, and I think Lackawanna State Forest suggests you keep it to 10 or less. Also, try to stay together. Nothing worse than a hike interupted by a search mission.
Area
The PT is in the Lackawanna (Indian word for "where the river forks") State Forest around Thornhurst, PA.
Trail Registers
There is one register box at the beginning of the trail, it is there for your protection, read a bit and sign it.
Trail Description - This is from the DCNR map and my memory, so descriptions are approximate. Trails are mostly well marked gravel roads and grassy ruts, and each section is named and marked. It is blazed with orange rectangles; two rectangles signify a change in direction. Side and connector trails are blazed red.
Mile 0.0 - Start of Pinchot Trail - Elev. 1900' - Powder Magazine Trail section begins behind trailhead heading N.
Mile .05 - Register
Mile 0.5 - (side trail) Red blazed Pine Hill Trail heads N. - Pinchot Trail continues E.
Mile .75 - Spring and a stream Elev. 2000'
Mile 1 - Crosses Pittston Rd. - Start of Sassafras Hill Trail - Tree Root Bridge - Good Camping within .1 mile.
Mile 1.5 - Trail heads N.
Mile 1.75 - Elev. 2100'
Mile 2 - Start of North Line Trail
Mile 2.25 - Crosses a road - ok camping up ahead under open sky
Mile 2.5 - Big Rock - perfect place for a break
Mile 2.75 - Spruce Hill Trail begins heading W.
Mile 3.4 - Start of Hayes Run Trail heading N. - Campsite
Mile 4.2 - Painter Creek Trail begins heading W. - Elev. 1940'
Mile 4.75 - Campsite next to creek. PT starts short but steep climb. Red blazed connector trail heads S over a more gradual ascent. - Elev. 1800'
Mile 5.2 - Connector trail meets back up with PT and continues S.
Mile 5.35 - Crosses Pittston Rd. - Start of Scrub Oak Trail. - Elev. 1960'
Mile 6.25 - (side trail) Pine Hill Trail heads E.
Mile 6.5 - Start of White Line Trail - good camping, open sky. - Elev. 2170'
Mile 6.65 - Stream
Mile 7.1 - (side trail - red blazed) Frank Gantz Trail heads E
Mile 8 - Start of Behler Swamp Trail, crosses Bear Lake Rd., stream. - Elev. 1950'
Mile 8.4 - Stream
Mile 8.75 - Joins Tannery Rd. heading E.- Trail runs on and off the road. 2 campsites along here
Mile 9.6 - Start of Choke Creek Nature Trail heading SW.
Mile 10.5 - Slow moving stream, probably a spring nearby.
Mile 11- Trail runs along Choke Creek heading S. - Elev. 1800' - Good camping over the next mile.
Mile 12 - Trail heads NE away from creek - Elev. 1700'
Mile 12.6 - Stream and start of Butler Run Trail heading SE. (Choke Crk. Trail continues with Red blazes NE)
Mile 13.5 - Campsite - open sky
Mile 13.6 - Butler Run - Good camping
Mile 13.7 - Crosses a road - Start of Kellers Swamp Trail heading N
Mile 14.5 - Joins Phelps Rd.
Mile 14.75 - Start of Birchstill Trail
Mile 15.5 - Crosses Tannery Rd.- Start of Sunday Trail
Mile 16.25 - Start of Stone Lookout Trail
Mile 17.25 - Start of McClintock's Gate Trail
Mile 19 - End of Trail