| Beartown Rocks Circuit |
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Description: Clear Creek State Forest, at around 13,000 acres, is probably one of the smallest state forests in PA. Despite this fact it hosts 34 miles of some of the nicest and best maintained trails in the state.
By the late 1800s the largest tract had been totally clear cut and in 1905 was burned over by a devastating forest fire. In 1933 the CCC planted Red Pine and Spruce which has not been harvested since. From 1905 to the 1960s the forest also supported an extensive oil drilling operation with one steam driven pumping station drawing from several wells.
Described here is a moderate 5.9 mile �lollipop� circuit utilizing the Beartown Rocks and Trap Run Trails. It can be combined with the Clear Creek Loop hike also found on this site to create a nice 8 mile circuit.
Google Maps Custom Driving Directions
The hike starts in the Shelter 5 parking area of Clear Creek State Park on Rt 949. |
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Zipped National Geographic TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files |
Trail Notes: All trails are blazed with orange paint and trail junctions are signed.
From the parking lot cross the road and immediately join the orange blazed Beartown Rocks Trail. The first 0.82 miles is spent walking along the west bank of Clear Creek under a canopy of mature Spruce and Red Pine. At this point a bridge to the left crosses the creek with a spur trail leading to Corbett Road. Stay straight on the Beartown Rocks Trail but soon bear right onto the Trap Run Trail. The tread here is an old haul road that passes through Pine, Hemlock and Rhododendron tunnels. You can usually hear Trap Run below you but will not see it most of the time. At 1.02 miles pass the Camper�s Paradise (A private campground on Rt 949) Trail on the right. The trail will then cross the stream and follow it for a while before climbing to a small plateau. In 1.58 miles from the Camper�s Paradise Trail junction arrive at the junction with the Beartown Rocks Trail. (Do not make the mistake of following a well worn path around a fenced deer exclosure just before the junction. This will eventually take you away from Beartown Rocks.) Turn right at the signed junction. In 0.11 miles join a dual track gas line access road that comes in from the left but in a few steps turn left at a signed footpath and follow it to the Beartown Rocks parking Area.
After enjoying the rock maze and view (look for some stone stairs and wooden steps to take you to the top of a giant boulder for a view of the forest.) return to the junction with the Trap Run Trail. Descend on the Beartown Rocks Trail for 0.68 miles to the previously mentioned bridge. Retrace your initial steps back to the parking lot.
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________________________________________ Outing Critiques
Name: Allen Keeney
Hike: Beartown Rocks ________________________________________ |
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