Location: Pinchot Trail, Thornhurst Tract, Pinchot State Forest, Pennsylvania
Distance: Approximately 24 miles
Trip Length: 2 nights / 3 days - May 2023
There are trails that impress you with sweeping overlooks, and then there are trails that quietly work their way into your favorites.
The Pinchot Trail is firmly in the second category.
Over Memorial Day weekend I headed back to the Thornhurst Tract of Pinchot State Forest to complete the full 24-mile loop. Originally I planned to start Monday morning, but the crowds around home convinced me to leave Sunday evening instead. Rather than rushing mileage, I hiked about a half mile from the trailhead to the Pine Hill campsite, giving myself a relaxed start for the following morning.
Sometimes the best miles are the ones you don't have to rush.
Night One: Pine Hill
The Pine Hill campsite was unexpectedly empty despite a full parking lot. With temperatures hovering in the mid-80s, there wasn't much need for a large fire, but it felt good to gather a little wood, straighten up the fire ring, and settle into camp.
This trip also doubled as the first real outing for my newest personal RedTail hammock. An 11-foot setup with the MultiMode bug net and the new mesh end caps made for excellent airflow during a warm evening. It was exactly the kind of weather where comfort mattered more than insulation.
That peaceful evening changed a bit after dark.
Something, or several somethings, kept wandering through camp most of the night. Deer were definitely around, but judging by the nearby yipping and conversations echoing through the forest, coyotes were likely investigating the area as well. Whatever it was showed very little concern about my presence, often returning as soon as I climbed back into the hammock.
Nothing threatening. Just one of those nights where the forest reminds you that you're sharing it.
Memorial Day on the Trail
Monday morning began later than planned after a restless night.
As the miles rolled by, Memorial Day naturally became the focus. Backpacking through a Pennsylvania forest is a freedom that's easy to take for granted. Days like this serve as a reminder that many of the simple things we enjoy, including the ability to disappear into the woods for a few days, exist because others sacrificed far more than we'll ever know.
It felt like the right place to pause, reflect, and simply appreciate being out there.
A Trail That Rewards Simplicity
The Pinchot Trail isn't famous for dramatic overlooks.
In fact, if your goal is to collect summit photos and endless vistas, this probably isn't your trail.
Instead, Pinchot rewards you with something different.
Miles of quiet forest. Remote singletrack. Long stretches where the only sounds are birds, moving water, and your own footsteps.
The trail itself follows several named paths including the Powder Magazine Trail, North Line Trail, Spruce Hill Trail, Hayes Run Trail, Scrub Oak Trail, and others, all connected by the orange-blazed Pinchot Trail system. Navigation is straightforward, the terrain is moderate, and the trail constantly changes character without ever becoming overly difficult.
Painter Creek
By late morning I reached Painter Creek.
Recent dry weather had dropped the water levels considerably. Crossings that are sometimes calf-deep were simple rock hops, and the normally energetic creek flowed quietly between exposed stones.
Several excellent campsites sit along Painter Creek, making it one of the best overnight locations on the northern half of the loop.
One important reminder for anyone visiting: portions of land adjacent to the creek remain private property. Pennsylvania's purple paint boundary markings clearly identify those sections. Fortunately, plenty of legal campsites remain on the state forest side.
Big Bear Swamp
The boardwalk through Big Bear Swamp looked very different than previous visits.
The tannin-stained water had taken on its familiar tea-colored appearance, but water levels throughout the swamp were noticeably lower than normal. Beaver ponds that often flood portions of the area had nearly disappeared, exposing terrain that's usually underwater.
It's a reminder that no two trips on the same trail are ever identical.
Choke Creek
If Painter Creek marks the halfway point emotionally, Choke Creek becomes the reward.
For several miles the trail follows the creek through one of the most scenic sections of the entire loop. Cascades, moss-covered rocks, quiet pools, and countless campsites line the water.
After covering just over 14 miles for the day, I settled into one of my favorite campsites along Choke Creek.
It wasn't a difficult decision.
With less than ten miles remaining for the final morning, there was no reason to push farther.
Dinner was simple. A Knorr Spanish Rice side mixed with turkey sausage and cheese before settling into the hammock for another peaceful evening.
This time the forest stayed quiet.
Final Morning
The alarm came early.
Temperatures had dropped into the mid-40s overnight, making for perfect hiking weather. Steam rose from Choke Creek as dawn filtered through the trees, birds filled the forest with song, and the trail felt completely different than it had just 24 hours earlier.
After climbing away from the creek toward Stone Tower, the remainder of the route gradually descended back toward the trailhead.
Three days. Twenty-four miles. One complete loop.
Final Thoughts
It had been three years since I'd hiked the entire Pinchot Trail.
I've returned often to hike individual sections, but completing the whole loop reminded me why this remains one of my favorite backpacking destinations in Pennsylvania.
No iconic overlooks. No crowds. No constant race toward the next viewpoint.
Just forests, creeks, wildlife, quiet campsites, and enough miles to completely disconnect for a few days.
Sometimes that's exactly what a trail should be.
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