Red X Link Trail

THE LINK TRAIL (Red X blazes  )

Worlds End State Park to the Iron Bridge, 7.22 mi.

REGISTER vehicle for overnight PARKING near Visitors Center. Obtain a Worlds End State Park Map because it shows Double Run area with more detail. Link Trail leaves the Loyalsock Trail at mile 46.46 from behind the Visitors Center of Worlds End State Park. This 7.22 mi. Link Trail follows Loyalsock Trail in two locations, fork of Double Run and Loyalsock Canyon Vista. Then its terminus rejoins Loyalsock Trail at Iron Bridge, Loyalsock Trail mile 55.83.

Mileage:  0.00    Elevation:  1128'
As this Trail leaves Visitors Center, it parallels between PA Route 154 and Loyalsock Creek, follows bedrock formations along creek, and goes upstream to PA Route 154. NO CAMPING until after Link Trail mile 1.95.

Mileage:  0.40    Elevation:  1118'
Cross PA Route 154 and ascend Link Trail.
At this location the Worlds End State Park Map provides an option to see falls along the main stem and West Branch of Double Run and reconnect with the Link Trail between footbridges over both branches of Double Run.

Mileage:  0.60    Elevation:  1128'
Link Trail meets Loyalsock Trail and Double Run Nature Trail (green blazes). All three trails cross both footbridges. After crossing second bridge, Loyalsock and Link Trails leave nature trail and ascend to railroad grade.

Mileage:  0.70    Elevation:  1200'
Link Trail and Loyalsock Trail separate on this railroad grade. Link Trail turns right and ascends along cascades and waterfalls on the East Branch of Double Run and meets a railroad grade with switchback.

Mileage:  1.11    Elevation:  1420'
Railroad grade with switchback and pigtail (used for train to clear switch). Turn left and follow grade to road. Logging trains went forward and in reverse between switchbacks in steep areas or at sharp turns.

Mileage:  1.15    Elevation:  1440'
Link Trail crosses Mineral Spring Road and ascends to another switchback/pigtail.

Mileage:  1.21    Elevation:  
Trail ascends from pigtail of railroad grade, passes below large rocks and continues up to ledges.

Mileage:  1.26    Elevation:  1500'
Link Trail bears right, passes along on and below rock ledges. Then Trail ascends past a large boulder and on to meet Canyon Vista Trail.

Mileage:  1.39    Elevation:  
Link Trail joins Canyon Vista Trail (blue blazes), a 4.0 mi. circuit trail from Route 154 north of Family Campground. Both trails ascend and meet Loyalsock Canyon Vista and Loyalsock Trail at mile 43.27.

Mileage:  1.67    Elevation:  1715'
Loyalsock Canyon Vista. Loyalsock, Link and Canyon Vista trails meet here.

Mileage:  1.73    Elevation:  
All three trails cross Cold Run Road and enter a maze of large boulders.

Mileage:  1.95    Elevation:  1800
Roundabout (where three trails separate). Turn right and continue on Link Trail. If hiking Link Trail in reverse, Trail enters Worlds End State Park. Camping permitted ONLY in designated overnight areas.

Mileage:  2.43    Elevation:  
Link Trail descends from large rock labyrinth and crosses North Branch of Cold Run.

Mileage:  2.50    Elevation:  1830'
Railroad grade. Potential campsite Cross next branch of Cold Run and ascend to site of former deer exclosure.

Mileage:  2.69    Elevation:  
Bear right as Link Trail follows perimeter of former deer exclosure.

Mileage:  3.20    Elevation:  1991'
Turn right, leave former exclosure and descend rock outcrop known as the Devil’s Garden. Go right and down along rock ledges.

Mileage:  3.70    Elevation:  
Cross another old railroad grade and Vinegar Run in area of dense hemlock trees. Potential campsite.

Mileage:  3.72    Elevation:  1800'
Link Trail crosses Cold Run Road and enters woods road, part of Bridle Trail (red blazes). Both trails descend to a logging railroad grade paralleling Vinegar Run.

Mileage:  4.56    Elevation:  1600'
Turn right and ascend from railroad grade and Bridle Trail. You may continue on Bridle Trail (0.43 mi.) as it passes rock bluffs and rejoins Link Trail at mi. 4.82. See broken line on map.

Mileage:  4.71    Elevation:  
Large boulder on left. Turn left on old woods road.

Mileage:  4.82    Elevation:  1760'
Open area and intersection with Bridle Trail. Turn right.

Mileage:  4.87    Elevation:  
Intersection with a timbering haul road on left. Bridle Trail goes right, and Link Trail crosses road, enters woods, and turns left on old woods road.

Mileage:  5.95    Elevation:  1740'
The Link Trail turns left, leaves woods road, and descends to Shanerburg Run.

Mileage:  5.33    Elevation:  
Hemlock trees and seasonal stream with falls/cascades on right.

Mileage:  5.42    Elevation:  1340'
Turn left on woods road, which parallels Shanerburg Run and descends to PA Route 154.

Mileage:  5.53    Elevation:  
Please sign REGISTER.

Mileage:  5.54    Elevation:  1280'
Cross PA Route 154, turn right, cross bridge, and follow left berm of highway. PARKING.

Mileage:  5.61    Elevation:  
Turn left off highway, descend to Loyalsock Creek, turn right, and head upstream on bedrock formations, locally called Flat Rock. NO CAMPING at this location.
If high water, follow berm of PA Route 154, cross highway bridge over Pole Bridge Run, turn left several feet beyond end of guard rail and descend to Link Trail.

Mileage:  5.70    Elevation:  
Cross mouth of Pole Bridge Run, up along Loyalsock Creek.

Mileage:  6.06    Elevation:  1310'
Pass cabin on the right.

Mileage:  6.15    Elevation:  
Turn left and descend steeply to Loyalsock Creek and continue upstream. Potential campsite.

Mileage:  6.40    Elevation:  
The Link Trail ascends from creek, has two switchbacks, and continues to PA Route 154.

Mileage:  6.61    Elevation:  1440'
Turn left and follow berm of highway.

Mileage:  6.74    Elevation:  
Trail goes left, leaves highway, and descends to Loyalsock Creek.

Mileage:  6.89    Elevation:  1360'
Turn sharply right, descend, and follow Loyalsock Creek upstream to bridge over Mill Creek.

Mileage:  7.15    Elevation:  
Bear left on road, cross bridge over Mill Creek, and walk through parking area.

Mileage:  7.22    Elevation:  1350'
The Link Trail rejoins the Loyalsock Trail at mile 55.33 on Rock Run Road near the Iron Bridge. PARKING.