PA Grand Canyon
The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (aka Pine Creek Gorge) is one of PAs greatest gems. It has many breath-taking vistas of Pine Creek Valley nearly 1,500 feet below. Following the West Rim Trail, we will also likely catch peak bloom for millions of mountain laurel that grow along the canyon rim!
Mountain Laurels, also known as Pennsylvania’s state flower, have a relatively short window in June for full bloom. Spend a couple days traversing the central PA mountains and taking in the miles and miles of endless beauty. If you’ve never seen laurels in bloom in PA, it’s an absolute must. If you have, then you know how magical this backpacking trip will be!
This trip is dedicated to empowering women in the outdoors.Â
About the Trip
Located in Tioga State Forest, this backpacking route is an ~29 mile point-to-point trail following the West Rim Trail. Due to the nature of point-to-point routes, there will likely be an additional fee for shuttling (depending on the group). WRT has nearly 1/3 of it’s total elevation gain in the first 5 miles, then begins gently rolling along the “west rim” of the Pine Creek Gorge aka the PA Grand Canyon. The trail accumulates a total of ~5,000 ft, but requires longer mileage days (time on feet), earning it the difficulty rating of “moderate-difficult“.
New for this year, you train for “time on feet” by attending the Scotch Pine Ruck Day in April. The Scotch Pine route runs 9+ miles with a moderately graded climb, which will be perfect training for the PA Grand Canyon trip. For extra readiness – sign up for the Gillespie Point Ruck the week before!Â
As with most Wild Roots guided backpacking trips, we will begin hiking early Friday morning and front-load the adventure so that we can have time on Sunday to grab grub nearby! The post hike dinner is a great way to cap & commemorate your experience with others.
Sign up and/or share with a friend via links below!
2023
Trip Gallery
Quick Facts
- When: Friday, June 21st – Sunday June 23rd 2024
- Where: Tioga State Forest
- Who: women who are looking for an adventure, or want to learn about backpacking
- What: a 3 day backpacking trip. Everything you’ll need will be on your person, and we will camp 2 nights in the PA Wilds enjoying the sounds of nature and company of other adventurous women.
- Why: through individual experience & community, cultivate a sense of confidence and competence while enjoying Mother Nature and the lessons she provides. Also, who wouldn’t want to experience PA’s very own Grand Canyon during peak laurel bloom?
- Registration: $360/person
What you'll learn
- Leave no trace principles
- How to store food in the backcountry (PCT bear-bag hang – and other options)
- Respecting, appreciating, and staying safe amongst wildlife
- Packing a balanced backpack, and choosing gear that is right for you
- How to complete your own shakedown – what to bring, what not to bring
- How to support your fellow backpackers along the journey
- Your own strength!
Quick Facts
What you'll learn
- When: Friday, June 21st – Sunday June 23rd 2024
- Where: Tioga State Forest
- Who: women who are looking for an adventure, or want to learn about backpacking
- What: a 3 day backpacking trip. Everything you’ll need will be on your person, and we will camp 2 nights in the PA Wilds enjoying the sounds of nature and company of other adventurous women.
- Why: through individual experience & community, cultivate a sense of confidence and competence while enjoying Mother Nature and the lessons she provides. Also, who wouldn’t want to experience PA’s very own Grand Canyon?
- Registration: $360/person
- Leave no trace principles
- How to store food in the backcountry (PCT bear-bag hang – and other options)
- Respecting, appreciating, and staying safe amongst wildlife
- Packing a balanced backpack, and choosing gear that is right for you
- How to complete your own shakedown – what to bring, what not to bring
- How to support your fellow backpackers along the journey
- Your own strength!
Popular Questions
Backpacking FAQ
- Experienced guide, certified in Wilderness First Aid & CPR
- Ruck Day (1)
- Initial consultation
- Gear/Packing List
- All logistics planned for you
- A map of your trip route
- Camping locally night before trip
- Group first aid kit
- 1 dinner/cooked meal
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Schedule a consultation
- Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
- Ask about rental gear
- Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience
This is a great topic to cover during the initial consultation, which is required before your backpacking trip. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. Consultations are either included in your trip cost, or $35/hour if you are not yet registered. You can apply the $35 to future registration (within 1 yr).Â
First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling is right.
Also, the initial consultation is a great time to access your readiness for any adventure. There are plenty of people who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, others may need a little time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!
To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “sign up” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment.Â
Payment received = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!
- Scheduling a consultation with Wild Roots to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip
- Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Events page)
- Packing food (minus 1 dinner provided by your guide)
- Clothing & shoes
- Gear (some rentals available)
- Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
For safety reasons, Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page.
Ruck Days are my version of a shake-down or practice hike. Essentially, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). WRG provides group Ruck Days for you to practice and meet others with guidance. Check out our Ruck Days on the Events page. It is included with your backpacking trip cost!
Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:
- 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
- 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)
Â
These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule.Â
Popular Questions
BACKPACKING FAQ
To reserve your spot in our next adventure, click “sign up” above, fill out the form, and Wild Roots will reach out to you for payment.Â
Payment received + initial consultation completed = spot reserved. Backpacking trips are limited to 6 people, so spots will fill up fast!
- Experienced guide, certified in wilderness first aid & CPR
- Ruck Day (1)
- Initial consultation
- Gear/Packing List via Google Sheets
- All logistics planned for you
- A map of your trip route
- Group first aid kit
- 1 dinner/cooked meal
- Coffee/tea/cocoa
- Scheduling an Initial Consultation with Wild Roots to go over readiness prior to the backpacking trip
- Completing a “Ruck Day” or practice hike prior to your trip (see Ruck/Hike page)
- Packing food (minus 1 dinner provided by Wild Roots)
- Clothing & shoes
- Gear (some rentals available)
- Bringing your sense of adventure and love for nature!
- Schedule an Initial Consultation
- Complete a Ruck Day or practice hike
- Ask about rental gear
- Being generally active in the months leading up to the event can help you aerobically, meaning a more pleasant hiking experience
For safety reasons, Wild Roots will only be sharing specific itinerary details with individuals who have registered for the hike. You can find basic itinerary details in the “about” of this page.
This is a great topic to cover during the an initial consultation, which is required before your backpacking trip. We will review a Gear/Packing list and can discuss what items you may already have, which gear items you may want to rent, and which gear you may want to invest in. Consultations are either included with trip registration, or available at $35/hour if you are not yet signed up. You can apply the $35 as a credit towards a future trip within 1 year.
Ruck Days are the Wild Roots version of a shake-down or practice hike. Essentially, you will gather all the gear you currently have and pack it up as if you were going on an overnight trip. You’ll then hike with all your gear, preferably on trails, 3-10 miles. This provides an opportunity to learn how to organize your pack, find out how it feels to carry the pack, and adjust according to how well that went. Sometimes you’ll find that you have too much gear (either it’s too heavy, or doesn’t fit, etc). WRG provides group Ruck Days for you to practice and meet others with guidance. Check out our Ruck Days on the Events page. It is included with your backpacking trip cost!
First and foremost – backpacking is not a race. On ALL guided trips, we are out there to experience nature. Yes we are also hiking, and it may be difficult at times, but we will always stop to smell the flowers, adjust packs, or rest when the feeling is right.
Also, the free initial consultation is a great time to access your readiness for any adventure. There are plenty of people who can take the “couch to 5k” approach to backpacking, others may need a little time and practice before registering for an overnight trip. Backpacking Trips are rated from easy-moderate-difficult, and WRG can help you decide which might be the best fit for you!
Try the “virtual” option! Ruck Days are mandatory for anyone registered for an overnight backpacking trip, but maybe your schedule just does not align with the dates WRG Ruck Days are scheduled. If that sounds like you and you are registered for a backpacking trip, take advantage of the Virtual Ruck Day, which includes:
- 1 pre-ruck consultation (up to 1 hr)
- 1 post-ruck consultation (up to 1 hour)
Â
These consultations replace the “in-person” Ruck Day, and are included in your backpacking trip cost. During the pre-ruck consult, WRG will help you plan your route and prepare for the ruck. During the post-ruck consult, we can go over what went well or how you can improve your experience for next time. You will complete the ruck on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule.Â
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Hope to see you at the next one!
Past Events
Testimonials
what our hikers say
Testimonials
what our hikers say
Testimonials
what our hikers say
