ARSES Pine Creek Extreme Adventure May 10 & 11

Al Swope

Adventurist
Founding Member
Well maybe not extreme, but with the ARSES , it is aways an adventure. I contacted Stony Fork Creek campground. They can give us multiple ajoining sites. They will also drop us in Ansonia and pick us up in Blackwell for $10 per person. This is a good deal when you look at shuttle distances due to the canyon. We will do ~16 miles on sat. Sunday is up for discussion. Pine creek is a scenic class 2 river suited for beginners with a sense of adventure. I am posting from my phone so there will be more details later


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This trip is high on my list and I am really hoping to make it.

What else is in the area for the non-paddlers that may tag along?
 
PA Grand Canyon scenic overlooks, antiques and cafes'/shopping in Welesboro. Biking and hiking in the canyon. My wife really likes Wellsboro, she is not a paddler. i hope you can make it!
 
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We are looking at 4-5 hours of paddling on Saturday. There will be a lunch break at the Tiadaughton camping area. There are also several side steams with waterfalls to check out. See Mark for required gear, when I forget stuff I always get it from him.
 
Thanks Al!

Saweeet!!! Al's got a planning thread started!

Your proposition sounds great Al. I'm really looking forward to running the Pine again. That being said the elite members of the Appalachian Ridgerunner Supreme Expedition Squad would like to cordially invite all Adventurist to a river float through the Pennsylvanian Grand Canyon as we traverse down the scenic Pine Creek Gorge. This float will occur Saturday May 10th with probably some shenanigans to be announced for the 11th. Pine Creek flows through the Tioga State Forest and is one of the premier touring rivers in the state with constant troughs and small standing waves to play in. Class II rapids can be expected and depending on water conditions one Class III section. This trip is best with kayaks or experienced canoe paddlers. Unexpected swimming should be expected so please consider the gear that you are hauling in your boat as you might not get it back. Like all ARSES trips you are responsible for yourself, your gear and your experience, while we'll be glad to help we don't do any hand holding here.

Here is the standard A.R.S.E.S. recommended paddling gear guidelines...

What to bring on an a Float trip for those who are new to river runs.

#1. A boat…this will make your river run experience more enjoyable. And you will have less rock rash on your tush at the end of the trip. Kayaks and canoes (piloted by experienced paddlers) are both good for this trip.

#2. Paddles…and I like to bring a spare just in case one gets lost. Being up a creek without a paddle stinks. Not everyone needs a spare, just so there’s a few floating around the fleet.

#3. Life Vest…Preferably one suited to canoeing and kayaking. No instant PDFs. BTW, wearing a life vest at all times while on the river will be mandatory no matter how well you can swim. Give us crap about it and we'll definitely see how well you can swim.

#4. A Hat…the reflecting sun on a river can get your neck or possibly your head a good burn. Cheap sunglasses that you won’t cry over if they get washed away are a good item to have also.

#5. Dry Bags…for storing some spare clothes or a light jacket so that they stay dry. If you stuff them into the bow or stern of your boat they’ll add some additional floatation. Bringing a towel along isn't a bad idea either.

#6. Lashings…rope, bungees, straps or what not. Lashing your stuff into your boat so that it will stay put in the event of a dunk saves a lot of hassle.

#8. Food and Water…well you will get thirsty and hungry on an 8 hour float and I ain’t gonna feed you mine. Try and take my sandwich and I’ll roll you around in the river son.

#9. A Good Attitude…this will make any journey better. Just because it says float in the title doesn't mean you won’t be working your tuckus off paddling. Water levels will have a big say in the flavor of the float. It’s like Goldilocks…too much flow and it with be Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, too little flow and you’ll be doing some walking, and if it’s just right we’ll have a nice relaxing day with spurts of excitement. I’m fine with any of them as a day on a river is way better than a day at work no matter what the conditions. And remember once you start down the river there’s no going back. Unexpected stuff might happen but we are a helpful bunch and will aid you in any way we can. Oh, if you dunk or straddle a rock you’re gonna get teased but that’s just a sign we like you. The people we aren't wild about get the polite treatment.

#10. A PA DCNR Launch Permit for each of your boats. Thes can be found on the PA DCNR website for either one or two years worth of coverage. They’re just a few bucks and will save you some possible hassling by a Fish Warden. Here's the link for acquiring a launch permit.

As is tradition on planning trips when the A.R.S.E.S are involved I expect some major shenanigans and thread drift to keep this fun. Post up your thoughts, questions or comments and let’s get this rollin’.


This Weekend is sponsored by the following:

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And the...
Orginal Bed Cargo Divider with SpeedHoles*
"When Quality Matters."




And thanks again to Al for getting this all rolling....I wanna go :kayak
 
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Al,

Thanks for posting and putting in the work to organize this. Lindy and I are totally in, can't wait!
 
So what do you think about Sunday?

*Do a short float down to Taighdauton? We could drop off a truck or two early Sunday Morning and rerun the Owsasee.
*Pack up camp Sunday morning and do some hiking and mucking about on the Colton Point side of the canyon? I know I couple of great trails and one fun creek scramble to follow down to the canyon floor.


Are we going to meet up Friday Evening at the campground?
 
I would be up for rerunning the upper gorge, especially if the water is good. From Blackwell we could continue down stream as well. There are several access points. Meeting up Friday works, it will allow an early start on Saturday. I will call the campground today and confirm the dates and ask them to set aside ajoining sites. I will post with details on how to reserve a site after I talk with them.
 
I just talked to the Stony Fork Creek Campground. They are setting aside 5 sites, we can add more if necessary. We can put as many as we’d like on a site. The cost is 10 per person per night. We will be in a tenting area, but small trailers are fine. They also have spots with full utilities if you need. They have a nice bath house, so hot showers are available. They have a pavilion if we want to do a group feed on Saturday night. We also confirmed shuttle, it is $10 per person. They have a call box at the take out and will come within 15 minutes. So with 2 nights and the shuttle, you are paying $30. I am going up Friday morning.

Call to reserve a spot and post here when you do so we can keep track of everyone. Tell them you are with the ARSES group, and they'll keep us together.

Stony Fork Creek 1-570-724-3096
 
I would be up for rerunning the upper gorge, especially if the water is good. From Blackwell we could continue down stream as well. There are several access points. Meeting up Friday works, it will allow an early start on Saturday.

If we do the float down from Blackwell would we use the shuttle again or just do it ourselves?

I just talked to the Stony Fork Creek Campground.

Excellent! Thanks for setting that up Al.
 
If we do the float down from Blackwell would we use the shuttle again or just do it ourselves?

The guy at the camp seems really flexible, I think we could do either, depending on our numbers, how soon everyone wants to be on the road, etc. For the people going south we could drop their vehicle at the down stream takeout. People going North could return drivers to the upstream vehicles on their way home. I don't want to dictate the whole trip, just Saturday:), I'd be up for any other plan for Sunday as well.
 
MAP click this!

Take outs on Pine Creek

Ansonia to Darling Run 1.2
Darling Run to Tiadaghton 7.7
Tiadaghton to Blackwell 8.3
Blackwell to Rattlesnake Rock 1.8
Rattlesnake Rock to Cedar Run 4.0
Cedar Run to Hilborn Fields 2.1
Hilborn Fields to Slate Run 2.7
Slate Run to Black Walnut Bottom 1.8
Black Walnut Bottom to Ross Run 2.7
Ross Run to Cammal Comfort Station 2.6
Cammal Comfort Station to Dry Run 5.4
Dry Run to Waterville Access Area 2.3
Waterville to Ramsey 3.9
Ramsey to Bonnell Flats 0.4
Bonnell Flates to White Tail 8.4
White Tail to Route 220 2.5
 
Attention...Attention...Please notice that the dates for this have been moved up a week.

New dates May 10th & 11th


Ooooh, new yak Mr. Haggis?

Well yes sir Mr. Grumps it is. Well sorts new, it a 2012 model that has never been in the water and I got it for a real good price. She don't have a scratch on her and the tags are still on the seat. Almost makes up for the constant sub-zero temps that Old Man Winter is inflicting upon us. I...need...Spring..........
 
Ouch, the new date puts this trip at risk for us. We will keep an eye on the calendar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hey Al! Imma gonna be cool like you!!!


Sweet! I'm jealous. I tried one of those in a pool session. That will be perfect for the stuff we do. Your are going to love hitting stuff and just having the water rush around you rather than swamping you. Take the boat with you to the shop to try on skirts and find one that is easy to put on and off but stayes put until you pull the cord. Some of the new skirts require popeye arms to put on.
 
Looks like the Remix; that's what i got my boy this past year he loves it. His is the Black and Green one like this.

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