Hike the Choke Creek Falls Loop-Pinchot State Forest
There is an excellent, and fairly easy, dayhike loop you can explore in the Pinchot State Forest. It explores streams, cascades, wetland meadows, diverse forests, and the beautiful Choke Creek Falls. The loop is about 4 miles long.
Start at a pull off parking area on Sand Springs or Phelps Road and walk down the road, turning right onto the orange blazed Pinchot Trail. Reach a campsite at Butler Run. The Pinchot Trail turns left, and the yellow blazed Butler Run Trail goes straight. To save the best scenery for the last half of the hike, go straight on the Butler Run Trail. This route also involves a little more vigorous climbing.
The trail is hilly as it begins a gradual incline with hardwood forests. Reach the top of the plateau with some small streams. At the intersection with the Choke Creek Nature Trail, turn left on the yellow blazed trail. Begin a gradual decline and meet the orange Pinchot Trail. This route goes left on the Pinchot Trail, but 200 feet on the trail to the right is a beautiful campsite and a nice place to take a break.
Continue on the Pinchot Trail for a very scenic walk along Choke Creek with diverse forests of hemlock, spruce and pine. Enjoy views over meandering wetlands which are ideal to watch for birds, or beavers, who are known to take residence along the creek. The trail moves away from the creek to avoid wetlands and you’ll encounter some rocky sections. Hike among thick spruce and pine to reach a superb view over a sprawling meadow wetland, also a nice place for sunsets.
Continue down the creek, reaching some small cascades. Next is the highlight, beautiful Choke Creek Falls which is about 20 feet tall and tumbles into a deep pool framed by ledges, rhododendron, and pine. You will want to take some time here. The Pinchot Trail continues on, crosses a jeep road, and goes upstream along Butler Run into a very scenic hemlock and spruce forest. Complete the loop and retrace your steps back to the car.
Pull off parking is at 41.178127, -75.615713.
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View this post on InstagramHike on the Pinchot Trail, always a great hike along Choke Creek.
A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Apr 1, 2020 at 1:23pm PDT
View this post on InstagramMeadow views on the Pinchot Trail, Pinchot State Forest. Hiking the south loop.
A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Aug 3, 2019 at 5:35pm PDT
View this post on InstagramChoke Creek Falls, Pinchot Trail.
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