Length: Approx. 10 to 11 miles.
Difficulty: Challenging. Extensive off trail hiking required, mostly following creeks.
Trail conditions: No trails are marked or blazed. A game commission road nearly divides the loop.
Parking: A lot is along Cahill Road. 41.606055, -76.583956.
Highlights: Many waterfalls and cascades. Views, rapids, and pools along Schrader Creek. Isolation.
Description: Schrader Creek valley is a best kept secret in PA, and this hike confirms that. While SGL 36 has long been known for its waterfalls, it turns out there are even more. This section of SGL 36 is isolated, and the creeks don’t appear to even have names.
I named the features on this hike or found names online. I do not expect these names to stick. I named them to make it easier to describe the loop. It is tough to write a description when everything is simply “falls”, “creek”, or “view”.
You should be an experienced hiker to do this loop. You should be comfortable with off trail navigation. The terrain isn’t very hard. In truth, neither is the navigation for the most part, it simply follows creeks. Thankfully, the forests are mostly open. The one problem area is from Sibling Falls back to the PGC road. That will be discussed later.
From the parking area, follow the PGC road. After about a mile, notice a creek off to the left. This is Cahill Run. Go off the road and hike the creek. Cahill Falls soon comes into view, a cascading falls with a large ledge. Follow the creek downstream to see a side stream falls, a slide, and a pool. The forest is open. Reach Slide Step Falls and then a favorite, Green Grotto Falls. I love Green Grotto Falls. Neither exceeds 15 feet, but they are scenic.
East Cahill Run joins and just downstream is Hemlock Cascade, a gorgeous boulder cascade with a pool. The boulders a large. A serene spot.
Now veer right or east and hike above Schrader Creek. There are some old grades you can use, or you can climb to the PGC road. The hike along Schrader Creek is scenic with a view of the creek and a beautiful ledge rapids and deep pool. An old railroad grade helps with navigation. Of course, you can bypass Schrader Creek and head to Joel’s Glen.
The glen is a highlight. I made the mistake of hiking into it from the bottom, just above Schrader Creek. It is very steep and not recommended. Instead, use old grades and hike above the glen, cross Overton Run, and descend from the east. The glen is surrounded by cliffs with a falls over 20 feet tall. There are tall hemlocks. The setting is gorgeous. Be careful descending into the glen, there are ledges and drop offs. After seeing the glen, you can always choose to turn around here, taking the PGC road back instead of climbing to Sibling Falls.
Now follow an old grade as it ascends the mountain, another follows Overton Run, but you will run into private land. The grade climbs the plateau and levels. Pass a side stream, to the left is a slide cascade. Continue climbing. There are falls along the border with private land. At the top is another highlight, Sibling Falls. A twin falls in a cove of ledges, a beautiful spot. Just below is Silver Birch Falls.
Now is the tricky part, getting to the PGC road. The problem is there is a logged area with thick saplings. I think the best way is to stay close to the game lands boundary and intersect with the road. Follow the road back to the car.
The closest access to this loop is across Schrader Creek, from Schrader Creek Road. However, you must cross the creek, which is large. Plus, if these falls are flowing well, Schrader Creek would be too dangerous to cross. Cahill and Overton Runs probably dry or are a trickle in summer. Enjoy this beautiful place.
Hike Pennsylvania with Jeff Mitchell 