PA Hiking/Biking Trails

Hiking the Bob Webber Trail in Lycoming County

A collage of four images showcasing the Bob Webber Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: A person in a red sweatshirt and orange beanie stretches out on a wooden bench, overlooking a snowy vista with a panoramic view of the mountains. An informative signboard under a sheltered kiosk detailing the Bob Webber Trail, with photos and descriptions of the trail's features and hiking information. A wintery scene of the forest along the trail with patches of snow on the ground amidst leafless trees and evergreens. The same person in the red sweatshirt and orange beanie stands on a rocky outcrop, looking out over a river valley from a high vantage point.

If you’re looking for information about hiking the Bob Webber Trail in Lycoming County, you’re in the right place!

Two wooden trailhead signs in a grassy area at the entrance to the Bob Webber Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The sign on the left points to the "Bob Webber Trail, Wolf Bald Vista 1.7m," marked with a yellow blaze on a tree in the background. The right sign reads "Wolf Run Wild Area, Tiadaghton State Forest," indicating the protected nature of the region. The area appears to be in an early stage of regrowth with pine trees and leafless deciduous trees in the surrounding forest. — Trailhead along Route 414 in Lycoming County.

The Bob Webber Trail is a 3.4 mile out-and-back hike (1.7 miles each way) that climbs roughly 1200 feet from a parking area along Route 414 to a spectacular panoramic vista overlooking both the Wolf Run and Pine Creek gorges.

A weathered wooden bench sits on a moss-covered overlook on the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Pennsylvania. The bench is positioned for a panoramic view of the valley, flanked by pine trees and overlooking a landscape of leafless deciduous trees with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Patches of snow are visible on the ground, suggesting the season is either late fall or winter. The overcast sky above hints at the chill in the air typical of the colder months in this mountainous region. — Bench at Wolf Run Bald Vista along the Bob Webber Trail.

Named in honor of a beloved local hiking legend and retired forest ranger, this trail celebrates the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to building numerous trails in the region.

An informational sign about The Bob Webber Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, displayed within a wooden shelter. The sign features a photograph of Bob Webber pointing towards a scenic view, a map of the trail, and several smaller images, including hikers and a black bear. Text on the sign provides background on Bob Webber and trail advice like "Be Prepared" and "Leave No Trace." The sign emphasizes the natural beauty of the area, the enjoyment of hiking, and the importance of conservation. — Informational signage at the trailhead parking area.

Not only did he build his namesake trail, but several other well-known hiking paths as well, including the nearby Golden Eagle Trail and the 42-mile Black Forest Trail.

An excerpt from an informational display about Bob Webber, detailing his 27 years of work with the Bureau of Forestry and his dedication to creating backcountry hiking trails in the Commonwealth's forests, now over 2.1 million acres. It mentions his contribution to building the 42-mile Black Forest Trail, the nearby Golden Eagle Trail, and cross-country ski trails in the region. The text honors his commitment to maintaining and promoting these trails and warmly welcoming hikers into the forest for nearly 50 years. — Bob Webber built some of the best-known hiking trails in the Pine Creek region.

He cherished the Pine Creek area profoundly, residing for decades in a secluded, off-grid cabin on the canyon’s rim, alongside his wife Dotty.

The Webber cabin at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County PA. — The Webber cabin, which was relocated to the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County following Bob Webber’s passing in 2015.

The Bob Webber Trail provides a unique blend of natural beauty, challenging terrain, and breathtaking views that make it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the southern reaches of the PA Grand Canyon.

A view through the slender trunks of leafless deciduous trees and interspersed evergreens on the Bob Webber Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The forest floor appears to be in a state of late fall or early spring dormancy. In the distance, a prominent hill rises above the surrounding landscape, partially obscured by the woodland. The sky is overcast, casting a soft, diffuse light through the forest. — View from the trail in early February.

Directions to the Trailhead

The trailhead for this hike is located along Route 414 in the Tiadaghton State Forest.

If navigating by GPS, use coordinates 41.42061, -77.48874 to find the Ross Run Recreational Area parking lot along 414, directly across the road from the trailhead.

A wooden signpost at the Ross Run Recreational Parking area, indicating the starting point for the Bob Webber Trail and canoe access in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The signpost, showing "Ross Run Recreational Parking" and "Canoe Access Bob Webber Tr.," stands prominently on the grass verge by the roadside, with the forest and a mountainous backdrop in the distance. An additional sign for Pennsylvania DCNR Forestry is attached to the post, suggesting the area is managed for recreational activities. — Ross Run Recreational Area signage across the road from the Bob Webber Trail.

This is a large gravel lot with the capacity for dozens of vehicles.

An orange pickup truck parked on a gravel lot in the Tiadaghton State Forest, with the Bob Webber Trail nearby. The forested Pennsylvania mountains rise in the background, with leafless trees on the lower slopes indicating either autumn or winter. The sky is overcast, and the open field next to the parking area is filled with tall, dry grasses, contributing to a serene natural landscape. — Ross Run parking area along 414, next to the trailhead.

Details About the Bob Webber Trail

As mentioned at the outset of this article, the yellow-blazed Bob Webber Trail features roughly 1200 feet of elevation gain on the 1.7 mile trip up the mountain.

A satellite map highlighting the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The map shows a trail starting from Ross Run Parking area marked with a red pin, leading up through the forest to the Pine Cliff Vista point indicated by a yellow camera icon. The trail continues winding through the forest to reach the Wolf Run Bald Vista, marked with a yellow camera pin. — Map of the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest.

The early sections of the trail are relatively gentle, allowing hikers to warm up and acclimate to the forest’s tranquil beauty.

A trail register box attached to a tree at the start of the Bob Webber Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Above the metal box, a faded and weathered sign reads "Bob Webber Trail." The box, showing signs of age and exposure to the elements, is closed with a rusting latch. The surrounding area is a dense mix of bare trees and evergreens, typical of a forested trail environment in a dormant season. — Trail register at the beginning of the hike.

However, as the path progresses, it becomes steeper, presenting a rewarding challenge and a great workout for your legs!

A narrow stretch of the Bob Webber trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest ascending a mountain, marked with a yellow blaze on a tree trunk. The ground is covered with brown leaf litter, and patches of green moss line the trail's edges. Bare deciduous trees surround the path, suggesting late fall or early spring, while evergreens dot the slope further up. The sky is overcast, casting a soft light on the tranquil, wooded landscape. — The yellow-blazed trail ascending the mountain.

Approximately 0.6 miles into the hike, you’ll encounter the blue-blazed Pine Cliff Trail, a short side trail leading to another impressive view.

A wooden trail sign reading "Pine Cliff Tr" stands beside a hiking trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest. The trail, marked with a yellow blaze on a tree, is bordered by a mixture of leafless deciduous trees and evergreens. The forest floor is covered with brown leaves and green moss, indicating a natural, wooded environment. The sign points hikers towards Pine Cliff Trail, one of the paths within the forest network. — Pine Cliff Trail is a short side trail leading to a scenic view of Pine Creek.

I opted to visit this overlook on my way back down the mountain, so I’ll describe it at the end of this article as well.

The photograph shows a serene winter or early spring view from the Pine Cliff Vista along the Pine Cliff Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. A meandering Pine Creek cuts through the valley, lined by bare deciduous trees and patches of evergreen. The riverbanks are colored with beige and light brown hues, indicative of vegetation in dormancy. The surrounding hills rise steadily, showcasing a mix of coniferous and leafless trees, with a backdrop of an overcast sky. The image captures the quiet beauty of the season in this forested landscape. — Pine Cliff Vista is less than 200 yards off the Bob Webber Trail.

The trail continues onward and upwards for another mile past the Pine Cliff Trail, passing a small spring and several interesting rock outcroppings along the way.

The photo shows a striking rock formation along the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Large, layered boulders with reddish-brown surfaces are nestled among leafless trees, indicating either autumn or winter. The textures of the rock layers are visible and contrast with the rough tree bark and the forest floor, which is covered with fallen leaves. The perspective is from the base of the formation, giving a sense of the rocks' imposing presence and the rugged terrain of the trail. — Rock outcropping along the Bob Webber Trail.

Once you’ve conquered the last series of switchbacks, the trail levels out (somewhat) and you’ll encounter a second trail register and the welcome sight of a bench at the end of the trail.

The image shows a trail register box mounted on a tree along the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The box is labeled "TRAIL REGISTER". The trail is partially covered with snow and lined with moss, indicating it's a colder season. There's a bench overlooking the valley, providing a place for hikers to rest and enjoy the view of the forested hills stretching into the distance. — Second trail register and bench at the terminus of the Bob Webber Trail.

Wolf Run Bald Vista

The view from Wolf Run Bald Vista (GPS coordinates 41.43928, -77.48672) at the end of the Bob Webber Trail overlooks both the Wolf Run Gorge in the foreground and the Pine Creek Gorge in the distance.

The rustic bench offers a spectacular backdrop for a well-deserved break or a photo opportunity (or both).

A person in a red sweatshirt and bright orange beanie lies prone on a rustic wooden bench at the Wolf Run Bald Vista along the Bob Webber Trail, Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. They are facing the expansive view of the forested valley and distant mountains. Patches of snow on the ground indicate the cold season, while the bare trees suggest late fall or winter. The overcast sky casts a soft light over the serene landscape. — The author at Wolf Run Bald Vista in February 2024.

A few yards past the bench, a second, more northerly view opens up amidst the quiet solitude that only such a remote location can offer.

A wintertime view from the Wolf Run Bald Vista along the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Patches of snow cover the ground amidst vibrant green moss, with bare deciduous trees framing the scene. In the distance, rolling hills stretch to the horizon under a cloudy sky, showcasing the quiet, dormant beauty of the region's landscape. — View to the north from the second vista at the terminus of the Bob Webber Trail.

The expansive views from these clearings serve as a rewarding climax to what is a short-but-strenuous hike.

A solitary evergreen tree stands out amidst the brown hues of a wintery forest on the slopes of the Tiadaghton State Forest in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. This image, taken from the Bob Webber Trail, showcases the stark beauty of the landscape during the colder months, with snow dusting the distant hills and bare trees dominating the scenery. The sky is a tapestry of clouds, suggesting the muted light of a winter's day. — A vibrant green pine contrasts with the otherwise drab February canopy.

Pine Cliff Vista

As you retrace your way back to the trailhead, I’d encourage you to check out Pine Cliff Vista as well.

A hiker in a red sweatshirt and orange beanie stands on an outcrop overlooking a river in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. They are gazing out at the winding river below, which carves through the valley flanked by bare winter trees and evergreens. The rocky ground where the hiker stands suggests a rugged terrain, typical of the scenic vistas along the Pine Cliff Trail. The overcast sky and the lack of foliage on the trees suggest it's either late fall or early spring. — The author at Pine Cliff Vista.

When you reach the Pine Cliff Trail sign you encountered on your way up the mountain, hang a right and follow this blue-blazed trail roughly 200 yards downhill to this overlook (GPS coordinates 41.43072, -77.49364) which juts out towards a bend in Pine Creek.

A tree marked with a blue blaze indicates the trail route on the Pine Cliff Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The forest is composed of a mix of leafless deciduous trees and young evergreens, with a carpet of fallen leaves covering the forest floor. The woodland appears quiet and undisturbed, typical of a late fall or early spring setting. In the background, the rolling hills of the forest landscape can be glimpsed through the trees. — The blue-blazed Pine Cliff Trail.

To the north, the village of Slate Run is tucked behind the creek bend.

A view from the Pine Cliff Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, featuring the winding Pine Creek in the valley below. The vista is framed by bare trees and evergreens, with a large, leafless tree in the foreground standing tall against the sky. The river curves through the landscape, bordered by sandy banks and embraced by hills with the last remnants of winter snow. The overcast sky suggests a late winter or early spring setting in the tranquil Pennsylvania wilderness. — View to the north in the directions of Slate Run.

While to the south, you’re looking the in the general direction of the village of Cammal.

The image provides a vantage point from the Pine Cliff Vista on the Pine Cliff Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, overlooking the winding path of Pine Creek cutting through the valley. The river is surrounded by a mix of coniferous and bare deciduous trees, indicative of the dormant season, likely late fall or early spring. The foreground features a rocky outcrop, leading to the edge of the overlook. Overcast skies and the muted colors of the landscape suggest a cool, overcast day in the Pennsylvania wilderness. — View to the south in the direction of Cammal.

When you’ve had your fill of Pine Cliff Vista, simply retrace your steps uphill roughly 200 yards to pick up the Bob Webber Trail again, and finish the last 0.6 miles downhill to the parking area.

A view from the Bob Webber Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest, showing a glimpse of Pine Creek through the bare trees. The forest is a mix of deciduous trees without leaves and scattered evergreens, with the mountainous landscape of Lycoming County in the background. The overcast sky suggests a cool or overcast day, adding to the serene and peaceful wilderness scene. — Partial view of Pine Creek from the Bob Webber Trail.

Final Thoughts

The Bob Webber Trail is more than just a hiking path; it’s a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to helping the public enjoy the forests he loved so much.

Bob and Dotty Webber exhibit at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County PA. — Bob and Dotty Webber exhibit at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or someone looking to explore the wonders of the Tiadaghton State Forest for the first time, this trail promises an experience filled with beauty, challenge, and the peacefulness of nature.

This image presents a view from the Bob Webber Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. The landscape features a series of rolling hills covered with bare deciduous trees and patches of evergreens, suggesting it's taken in the colder months with remnants of snow on the ground. The hills in the distance display a dusting of snow, contrasting with the brown tones of the forest. Overhead, the sky is filled with heavy clouds, indicating a typical overcast day in a late fall or winter setting. — Wolf Run Bald Vista in February 2024.

Lebo Vista is a fantastic roadside scenic overlook at the southern end of the PA Grand Canyon in Lycoming County.

Exploring Lebo Vista in Lycoming County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Lebo Vista.

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum features a beautiful blend of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits related to one of the most important industries in the state in the 19th century.

Exploring the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County. — Scenes from the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.

9 Must-See Attractions in Lycoming County is your guide to even more great things to see and do in Lycoming County.

Jacoby Falls after torrential summer rains. — Jacoby Falls after torrential summer rains in Lycoming County.

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