Mid State Trail/Slide Hollow Loop-Tioga State Forest

Backpack the Susquehannock/West Branc... Hike the Hyner View/Huff Run Loop

Mid State Trail/Slide Hollow Loop-Tioga State Forest

Rattler Run Falls

Length: this loop is about three miles. If you add the off trail hiking to Rattler Run Falls and Rattler Rocks, it is about four miles.

Parking: At about 41.610862, -77.304136, it is pull off parking. Rattler Road is usually in good shape.

Highlights: Waterfalls, cascades, ruins, giant rocks, ruins, spring wildflowers

Difficulty: Moderate

Blazes: Mid State Trail (MST) is orange, Slide Hollow Trail is yellow.

Description: This loop explores a hidden area of the Tioga State Forest that is largely overlooked by the crowds that go to the PA Grand Canyon. This loop offers a lot of scenery and diversity, even more so if you add in the off trail hiking. This description is clockwise from the parking on Rattler Road.

If you want to see Rattler Run Falls, just go off trail and hike down Rattler Run. It is best to stay on the south side of the creek. The creek begins to form a gorge with cascades and small falls. You will also pick up an old grade that makes the hiking easier. There are many spring wildflowers. Reach Rattler Run Falls, about twenty feet tall. This scenic falls is set in a rocky grotto. Just downstream is Rattler Run Glen, which is even more scenic with a variety of falls and cascades in a bedrock glen. There is a private property line on the south edge of the glen, so explore from the north side. PA 287 is just below the glen. From here, retrace your steps, or make a shortcut to Rattler Road as the terrain allows.

Now just walk Rattler Road downhill. It is a nice walk. At the bottom, on the right, notice yellow blazes. This is the Slide Hollow Trail. The trail crosses a short section of private property, but hiking is allowed. Stay on the trail. Cross the creek and notice a ten foot falls just upstream set amongst boulders. A gradual climb follows up the glen and it is scenic with many wildflowers and cascades. It is a surprisingly nice trail. Reach the MST at a register. The Slide Hollow Trail was built so backpackers could access resupply in Morris.

Turn right on the MST and cross two branches of Slide Hollow with cascades. Begin a climb that steepens and joins an old grade. The MST levels and then descends to ruins from the coal mining era; these ruins are at the top of an incline plane which was used to haul coal down the mountain.

The MST follows a level grade under hemlocks. If you want to see Rattler Rocks, you’ll need to go off trail to the left a few hundred feet. This rock city is impressive with giant sandstone rocks, chasms, overhangs and caves. It might be the highlight of the hike. Maybe the MST should be rerouted to include it.

Back on the MST, drop down to Rattler Road and the pull off parking area.

The MST is the longest trail in PA and a part of the Great Eastern Trail. For more info on the MST, click here.