Colton Point Loops
Distances:
16
miles, 18 miles, 21 miles, and
Description
The four loops that can be made from this ride
have a number of nice features. The uphill on Colton Point Road is easier
than most of the uphills on the other rides because the road is paved. The
views of Pine Creek Canyon from Colton Point State Park are spectacular.
There is access to Pine Creek at the bridges in Watrous and Rexford for
picnicking and swimming and restaurants along Rt. 6. The drawback is that
the Colton Point Road carries a lot of traffic, especially on weekends. Rt.
6 is also a heavily traveled road, but the shoulder is paved and wide so I
don't find it to unpleasant to ride along Rt. 6.
Getting There
From Wellsboro, take Rt. 6 west 11 miles to the Village of Ansonia.
Turn left onto the Colton Point Road and following the signs to Colton Point
State Park. Park in the Forestry Department parking area on the left
just after you enter the state forest.
 |
Pine Creek at
the bridge in Rexford |
Route Description
Deadman Hollow Road Loop
From the parking lot on Colton Point Road you proceed up a long but not
steep hill for about 4.4 miles. At the top of the hill there are
spectacular overlooks into Pine Creek Canyon. Immediately after the
first overlook, turn right onto Deadman Hollow Road. After a short
additional drift uphill, this road descends back into Pine Creek Valley
setting up a 4.0 mile downhill run. You bottom out in a development of
older cabins. Continue straight until you see Pine Creek and the
bridge across the river. Turn right onto Rt. 6 for 3.8 miles back to Colton
Point Road and take the Colton Point Road back to your car.
Painter-Leetonia Road Loop
Park and follow the Colton Point Road up to Colton Point State Park as in
the ride above. Continue 1.8 miles past the park on Colton Point Road, to
the Painter-Leetonia Road. Turn right on the Painter-Leetonia Road although
the shape of the intersection is such that it's more going straight than
turning right. You proceed up a short but steep uphill then begin the
downhill back into Pine Creek Valley. After 4 miles you come to the
intersection with the Deadman Hollow Road. Turn left and follow the
road 4.5 miles to the bridge over Pine Creek and out to Rt. 6. Turn
right on Rt. 6 and continue 3.8 miles back to the Colton Point Road. Take
the Colton Point Road back to your car.
Thompson Hollow Road Loop Township Road
T328 Cutoff
Park and follow the Colton Point Road up to Colton Point State Park as in
the rides above. Continue 1.8 miles past the park to the Painter-Leetonia
Road. Turn left on the Painter-Leetonia Road and continue 1.7 miles to the
Big Thompson Hollow Road. Turn right onto Big Thompson Hollow Road although
the shape of the intersection is such that it's more going straight than
turning right. In 2.8 miles you pass Mill Run Road and another mile brings
you to Cedar Mountain Road. Turn right on Cedar Mountain Road for 1.8
miles to Township Road T328. Turn right on T328 and continue 4 miles
to the bridge crossing Pine Creek. Generally I don't go this way since
there is a big hill climb on T328.At Rt. 6 turn right and continue 3.8 miles back to the Colton Point
Road and take the Colton Point Road back to your car.
Follow the route described above but continue straight on Cedar Mountain
Road rather than turning right onto T328. Continue 4 miles to Pine Creek.
After crossing the bridge, bear right, follow the road around to the left,
and then turn right again at the next intersection. Turn right on Rt. 6 and
proceed through the Village of Gains 7.5 miles to the Colton point Road.
Take the Colton Point Road back to your car.