Mehoopany Creek Gorge Vista, SGL 57
This hike is a classic in SGL 57 and is probably the most “popular” although that is a relative term for this isolated area. It is unique as it mostly follows old logging roads and grades with little bushwhacking, making it a more traditional hike than others in SGL 57. However, no trails have blazes or signs. I had been to Flat Top Vista, also known as Raven Rock or Buzzards Peak, many times. It is a beautiful view. I suspected there might be another view further down the ridge, so we decided to investigate.
From the parking area, there is a field. Sometimes there is a mowed path, sometimes there is not. Work your way to the northwest/right hand corner of the field, there may be some pickers, go up a bank, and hike up a mowed area next to a house and cottage. Don’t worry, you are still on game lands. The obvious grade continues steeply up through a pine forest. Out of the pine forest, the hike veers right onto another obvious grade and continues to climb. Below you to the right is White Brook and a beautiful 20 foot falls, but it is off trail. Continue to hike up the old, eroded grade. Reach an area with a lot of vines and a grade to the left, turn left. This grade is obvious and meanders up the plateau. Climbs are separated by level sections. On the final climb, hike up with large rocks off to your right. Reach a T intersection, turn left.
The trail is now level, and wet in places. Reach an area with more laurel on the left and a trail, take it (if you continue on the grade you were on, you will cross a small stream, indicating you went too far). The trail goes through the laurel and soon reaches Flat Top Vista with its commanding view up the Mehoopany Creek and over a steep gorge with an unnamed stream that has seasonal waterfalls. We sat and enjoyed the view.
Now it was time for the bushwhack and we followed the edge of the plateau down, passing another view. We had to go through the laurel, but a bear path along the edge made the hiking a little easier. Just off the edge was a large round boulder, cracked down the middle; it is called Split Rock. Soon, massive rocks and boulders covered the slope below us, offering more partial views as we negotiated the tough terrain. We reached a fine view looking up the Mehoopany Creek Gorge and an even better view next to that one. The view was stunning as it looked right up the gorge, as tiers of ridges and gorges sloped down to the bottom. Thirteen miles away was the dome at Red Rock.
We were impressed by the view, which was even more scenic than Flat Top Vista despite being a little lower in elevation. So, we named it the Mehoopany Creek Gorge Vista. The view rises 900 feet above the creek, and the gorge is over 1,100 feet deep. Another view looks up the steep gorge of Kasson Brook. I can’t wait to return to this view in the Autumn or on a Summer morning when the view is above the clouds and mist in the gorge. SGL 57 has so many secrets.
Parking is located at 41.496548, -76.132059.
This is described as Hike No. 14 in Hiking the Endless Mountains.
Hike Pennsylvania with Jeff Mitchell 