Slippery Rock Gorge Trail

Hike Name: Slippery Rock Gorge Trail Location: west PA Length: 6.2 Submitted by: Michael Palm Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Pennsylvania trail reviews Pennsylvania national parks Pennsylvania state parks
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Description
This trail is in McConnell's Mill State Park. Hiking the trail either way is challenging and strenuous. If you are in great physical shape and love a challenge, then hike the trail both ways; but if you are not into testing and punishing your body, I'd park a car at either end and hike one way. You have your choice of starting in the Hell Run Falls Parking lot and hiking North up stream or beginning at the opposite end at Eckert Bridge and hiking South. I chose the latter. The trail begins with a fairly flat ½ mile skirt along Slippery Rock Creek and then into a steep, nearly vertical ¼ mile ascent to the top of the gorge. Once at the top of the gorge you slowly descend (only ascending to climb out of dips in the landscape) back down to the creek bottoming out at Walnut Flats, the two mile mark. You follow the creek again for about a ½ mile, then it is a gradual, sometimes steep, ascent for four miles out of the gorge to the Hell Run Falls parking lot. Once at the lot, pick up the another trail down to the beautiful Hell Run Falls (1/4 mile) and either grab a snack and head back down because you have to make it back by dark, or sit and relax a few more moments, sucking in nature and contemplating the fact that something so amazing is only 40 minutes from Pittsburgh.

Directions to Hike
From Pittsburgh take Rt. 279 to Rt. 79 North. Drive about 40 or 50 miles to exit 29 (Moraine State Park and McConnell's Mill State parks exit.) Take Rt. 422 West for about two miles McConnell's Mill State park is on the left (the sign is small for the park entrance so keep your eyes peeled.) Stop at the park ranger station about a ¼ mile in and grab a map (they're free.) You got it from here.

Contact Information
DCNR
McConnell's Mill State Park
R.R. 2, Box 16
Portersville, PA 16501-9401
(724) 368-8091 or 368-8811
Email: moraine.sp@a1.dcnr.state.pa.us
www.dcnr.state.pa.us

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