Pinchot State Forest -Thornhurst Tract — Attraction in Thornhurst Township

So the Pinchot State Forest is a huge area and was heavily populated today by hunters. We discovered the Choke Creek Falls through the PA Bucket List website for great waterfalls in PA. The parking coordinates listed take you exactly to the gate and trail that you need. Without it, its like finding a needle in a haystack and the Alltrails versions to hike these falls are all long and hard. The bucket list version is only a mile and a half and easy. The directions are step by step and impeccable...follow them and you will find what you seek. The mentioned footbridge has seen better days. This could make a good Eagle Scout project! 😊 The back half of the trail is rocky and rooty and could be made easier with trekking poles. Hiking boots are a definite. Muddy and wet in spots but not awful. There were some old ropes at the falls that seem to indicate swimming in warm weather but I think I would be afraid. The water has lots of tannins and turbidity and you cant see whats in there to determine rocks etc. Very pretty spot, however, and would make a great picnic destination. Running...

I started this trail 830am Saturday and ended the 26 miles on just the Pinchot trail by 300pm Sunday! This is an excellent single track trail for beginners to experienced backpackers! The trail is very well blazed in orange every couple of hundred feet making it extremely easy to follow! There are lots of water sources available along this trail! I did this trail memorial day weekend after heavy rain and the north loop was drier and had more ticks than the south loop! The south loop was very muddy and at times the trail was like a small running creek! For me that made this trail even more fun! It was nice walking along the water on the south loop and being able to see choke creek falls after a heavy rain was absolutely awesome! Great spot to have some lunch! I look forward to doing this trail again and making time to do the side trails...

Beautiful land, but the DCNR staff running this particular state forest rarely answer the phone and neglect the forest. I've hiked and camped in a lot of PA state forests...this one is by far the least cared for. What are they getting paid for? You don't see this at other state forests. For example: Loyalsock, less than 2 hours away, is immaculate.

Oddly enough, the Pinchot DCNR staff seems to be keeping itself busy with setting up sting operations to catch quads and dirt bikes on wooded trails, rather than answering their phone. Pinchot would be a great location for powersport...