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| Moutain Bike 40 miles of PA's Grand Canyon on Pine Creek Trail |
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The Canyon running from Ansonia to Blackwell PA has a "Rails to Trails" path which runs for about 17 miles.
The actual path runs miles further in each direction (if you just like the ride you can do 60 miles one way from
Ansonia to Waterville) but I chose to "yo-yo" the path starting in Blackwell uphill (only a slight grade) to
Ansonia then back to Blackwell.
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There are some pretty cool older houses along the route. I can imagine this old "A" framed style house being a good one in it's day. Sitting on the front porch, second or third story deck with a bunch of family and friends watching the river go by, fishing, canoing, games and a few cool beverages sounds like a good life. 
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After pedaling a few miles you'll believe that there is a slight upgrade and you'll come past several side trails like "Turkey Path Trail" which will lead you up the edge of the canyon and to route 660. Course you would have to climb the 800 ft to get there... 
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As you get up towards the north end (about 10 miles north of the start in blackwell) you realize you are entering the steeper part of the canyon. 
Notice up on top there is an overlook that is actually in the other posts from the West Rim Views... Here's a closer look at the rim above. 
Seems either way you look at this canyon there're sights that are too big for my widest camera lens. The size of the canyon is NOT easily captured. |
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One of the nice things that goes along with biking is that you come upon wildlife a little faster and much more quietly (mostly cause I was breathing to hard from pedaling to talk) and that lets you see more wildlife. I passed several deer and turkey which we easily seen but still too fast for my camera work. However I did get a good time with these I put in the opening shot. 
And then again a little closer on Ma and her still spotted fawn 
They stayed around for sometime working their way cross this little island and then into and across the Pine Creek itself. Here's some links if you haven't got your fill of these two crossing. Deer Crossing 1 Deer Crossing 2 Deer Crossing 3 Deer Crossing 4 Deer Crossing 5 Deer Crossing 6 Deer Crossing 7 Deer Crossing 8 Deer Crossing 9 Deer Crossing 10 Deer Crossing 11 Deer Crossing 12 |
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Another good apart about this trip is that it can be done economically with tent camping right on the river. The weekday I went I saw only one tent the entire trip so even a couple could get away for a weekend of camping on the river. Course that means you would need to pack in a few things but a carrier on a bike is not a tough thing and it's pretty cheap as well.
This one has a restroom, hand pump for water (which reminded me the hand pump which sits on my great uncle's back yard) fire rings and plenty of places for a tent. 
If you prefer the niceties of a hotel there are several in Ansonia and a few in Blackwell too. |
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Push the pedals as hard as you want to get your workout cause the creek is clear and cool and never far away from the trail so you can stop cool off. 
Before you know it the 17 miles are done and you are relaxing in Ansonia. The trail does go on further out of the canyon which means you'll leave the creek as well but if you want a little more workout to make it a full 20 mile one way trip pedal on another 3 miles and you will still have excellent scenes 
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We reached out 20 mile mark -downed a few nutritious energy bars and turned tail back towards the car in the Blackwell parking lot. At last the grade was downhill, feel free to coast!!!
These strong beasts seemed to be enjoying the downhill with a little effort. 
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The miles tick off really fast downhill. So if you were thinkin of a little easier trip and you had 2 cars put one in Ansonia and one in Blackwell and do the 20 miles on a gently downgrade. Don't let me talk you into too many miles cause the "saddle time" is still a lot for anyone who isn't used to being on a bike...
The path is low in the canyon and there are plenty of trees so the trail itself goes in and out of shade and sun. 
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Some of the canyon walls will cause you to break the good pace you are doing to grab a few pictures or just admire as you grab another drink from one of the hand pumps. 
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As you finish off the 40 miles (or go for the entire 60) you'll have a good time getting off the bike with a good workout and scenery you don't get in Central Maryland... 
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The trail itself is a wide gravel bed which replaced a set of train tracks. This means I wouldn't take a
road bike with thin tires on it but -cross, touring or mountain bike is a good choice. I saw several young
kids on the trail with their parents so it definitely isn't technically challenging but the miles are there
for a good workout or a short pedal for anyone who wants to go a few miles then turn back around for the car.
A couple sat with their lunch and bikes watching the creek go by. Seems like about everyone could enjoy this
area. Don't forget to at least drive up the West side and see a few of the scenic overviews from the top of
the canyon on the way home....
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