ABOUT THE PARK: Pocono Environmental Education Center
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.171924,-74.914895View Larger Map
TRAIL MAP:
NY/NJ Trail Conference Northern Kittatinny Trails Map 122
PEEC Trail Map
Be sure to bring some cash with you. If you are coming from New Jersey over the historic Dingmans Ferry Bridge, there is a $1 toll each way - no EZ Pass as this is a privately owned, old-fashioned kind of bridge. The PEEC also asks for 50 cents per trail guide - the guides are very informative and highly recommended. Numbers attached to trees, color coded to the trail and trail guide, are explained in the corresponding trails guides. If the office is closed there is a display and self pay outside the front door. For this hike you would need the orange, yellow and blue guides.
HIKE DISTANCE: 7.7 miles with many shorter options available
HIKE DESCRIPTION:
This hike starts on the combined yellow/red blazed trail just to the left of the yellow cabin (Cabin #1) in the picture below.
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| An outcrop on the ridge overlooking wetlands. |
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| Steep descent from the ridgeline. |
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| Looking back up the descent from about 1/3 way down. |
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| Chimney from former homestead. |
At 3.95 miles arrive at the Fossil Quarry. They ask that you leave fossils for others to enjoy and indeed, there are many displayed on a fallen tree trunk.
At 4.65 miles turn left on orange when orange/blue goes right.
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| Old fireplace with views of Kittatinny Ridge in New Jersey |
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| View of the Delaware River Valley and Kittatinny Rige in NJ |
At 5.95 miles take the side trail to left out and back which descends on steps and switchbacks down to the waterfalls (about .15 mile each way).
After retracing your steps back up to the orange trail, turn left. The trail will eventually merge with the white trail and go through pine plantations, trees planted in straight rows 50-60 years ago after logging, with the intention of harvesting before the land became protected.
HIKE SUMMARY:
[ 0.00] Start at red/yellow trailhead to the left of yellow cabin #1
[ 0.45] Turn left on yellow as red goes right
[ 1.00] At #13 red trail joins briefly, cross creek on log bridge through hemlock forest
[ 1.20] Cross log bridge at #5 and ascend ridgeline
[ 1.30] Wetland overlook at ledge on right at #6
[ 1.50] Steep descent from ridge
[ 2.05] Chimney from old homestead at #10
[ 2.85] Cross bridge to right over creek
[ 2.95] Cross bridge over small waterfalls then immediate left on red/yellow along creek
[ 3.15] Trail veers to the right away from the creek
[ 3.20] Cross over 4 consecutive bridges
[ 3.55] End of red/yellow trail at #18; left on paved road; left between brown cabins; walk straight through field towards fire pit
[ 3.65] Left on blue Fossil Trail at far end of fire pit
[ 3.95] Fossil outcrop
[ 4.25] View of Kittatinny Ridge in New Jersey through trees if no foliage
[ 4.65] Left on orange where blue/orange goes right
[ 4.75] #4 Cedar Knolls with red cedars
[ 4.90] Cross over paved road; rock hop over creek; turn left then right on woods road
[ 5.10] Clearing at site of former landowner house
[ 5.25] Left at fork; trail ascends
[ 5.35] Mixed oak forest
[ 5.50] Stone fireplace with view of Kittatinny Ridge in New Jersey
[ 5.80] View of Delaware Valley and Kittatinny Ridge in New Jersey
[ 5.95] Turn left on side trail at #9 down steps and switchbacks to falls
[ 6.10] Arrive at falls; retrace steps up switchbacks
[ 6.25] Left on orange trail
[ 6.40] Left at intersection at #3
[ 6.85] Woods road through pine plantation
[ 6.95] Keep straight on orange as white joins in from the left
[ 7.10] Trail turns right and crosses two bridges
[ 7.20] Arrive at Pickerel Pond as trail turns left following along the pond
[ 7.30] Red pine plantation
[ 7.45] Cross road diagonally at curve in road to continuation of orange/white trail
[ 7.55] Rock hop over creek
[ 7.60] Cross clearing, turn right at intersection on boardwalk to wildlife blind
[ 7.70] Cross paved road arriving back at parking lot
I did this hike in December and I hit the rope going the OTHER way! As it was 4 P.M. I didn't want to turn around and retrace the hike. Besides, I was tired. So I had to go up. It can be done, it is suprising what you can do if you have to! I want to bo back and try it going the other way. Loved your video of the falls; the snow on the rhododendrons was breathtaking. Thanks from Donna
ReplyDeleteI also have done this hike (in the opposite direction as the reader above). However, it was on a warm day in August, 2010. I am especially thankful for your movie of the falls. On my trip, the falls were but a trickle. I plan to do the trip again in late spring (in the direction you took). Thanks for all the detail and work you do on your blog. It is really appreciated. Dan
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