Length: About 3 miles.
Trail conditions: The Loyalsock Trail (LT) is well blazed and established. Remainder of the hike is off trail, or follows an unblazed trail.
Difficulty: Moderate. Due to navigation, only experienced hikers should attempt.
Highlights: Rock formations, giant boulders, rock shelter, Sones Pond, hemlock forests
Parking: 41.471696, -76.514545
Description: This hike explores impressive cliffs and rock outcrops just off the LT. It would be nice of the LT was rerouted to include these features. From the parking area, follow an unblazed trail on the east shore of Sones Pond as it tunnels into the brush. Enter an open hemlock forest and reach the LT, proceed left, or straight on the LT. Enjoy views of the pond and beautiful hemlocks. Before reaching Rock Run, you’ll want to go off trail to explore the West Escarpment of the rocks. At first, the rocks aren’t very big. As you head north, the rocks grow in size, featuring some passageways and small mazes. Hemlocks grow above and there is a lot of moss. The cliffs tower to about 40 or 50 feet in places. It is a fascinating place to explore with many nooks and crannies.
The west escarpment can be found about here: 41.479015, -76.518955.
The east escarpment is not as impressive. There are some ledges. However, there is a large rock shelter that you should not miss. It might be 50-60 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Below both the east and west escarpments are old forest roads you can use to navigate and explore.
More photos and video:
Hike Pennsylvania with Jeff Mitchell 