This area of SGL 13 is famous for its waterfalls, and I’ve visited numerous times. However, I’ve always wanted to see Sullivan Branch in winter with its frozen falls, ice caves, and ice flows. Sullivan Branch is a stream of great beauty that I had seen in every season, but winter.
The first issue is access. If there is snow, Sullivan Falls will likely be inaccessible and there will likely be no available parking along Jamison City/Sullivan Falls Road. As a result, we parked near the game commission buildings along Grassy Hollow Road. We hiked up the road and crossed East Branch Fishing Creek on the ice. There is no bridge. Naturally, do not do this hike in high water. Crampons or microspikes will be necessary.
From there we walked up the road to Sullivan Falls and scrambled to the base of the falls. These falls were stunning in winter, and were completely frozen over. Chandeliers of ice grew out of the cliffs surrounding the falls. A transparent sheath had formed over the falls and we could see the water pulsating downwards. And it was so silent.
We returned to the road and then followed an unblazed trail along an old forest grade. We crossed Big Run and made our way up Sullivan Branch. After crossing Pigeon Run, we descended to see the falls. The falls were totally frozen over and an incredible ice cave formed with stunning saw-like icicles. We could hear the water still flowing, and falling, within the columns of ice.
We returned to the trail and hiked up a ways, then we dropped back down to Sullivan Branch and the next big falls. We were able to climb some of the frozen falls. We were treated to falls after falls locked in ice, surrounded by rocky glens with draperies of ice. We took care crossing Sullivan Branch as it has deep bedrock pools in places.
Next was a long bedrock glen surrounded by cliffs. Here we were treated to amazing ice flows and caves that had a blue hue in the bright sun. Hundreds of clear icicles adorned the cave. It was incredible. A tough scramble followed and then we reached another large falls with more ice flows. We were also able to climb this falls.
We returned to the trail and pushed on to the top falls on Sullivan Branch. I was tired and doubting this decision, but I’m glad we did. This top falls had amazing ice flows in a glen of hemlocks. A beautiful sight to see.
From there we retraced our steps back along the unblazed trail and the road to our cars. To my surprise this hike was about eleven miles long. Parking is at 41.315179, -76.348937.
For the map above, red is off trail and brown is an unblazed but established trail. The map is for general directional purposes and does not represent an exact GPS track.
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Hike Pennsylvania with Jeff Mitchell 