Length: About 3.5 miles with side hike to Lee’s Falls and the chasm.
Highlights: vistas, waterfalls, gorges, beautiful creek, wildflowers
Parking: Pull off parking at 41.456740, -76.628424. Coal Mine Road is gated in winter.
Trail conditions: Trails are well blazed and easy to follow. The old forest road is obvious, but not blazed. Loyalsock Trail (LT) has yellow/red circular placards. Expect wet areas and steep terrain.
Difficulty: Terrain is rugged. I’d say moderate to difficult.
Direction of travel: For first time visitors, I think counterclockwise is easier to navigate.
Description: This is the perfect dayhike loop in the Loyalsock State Forest. I’m surprised it’s not more popular. Ketchum Run is a gem in the Loyalsock, a place of incredible beauty. However, dayhiking it was a challenge. People either did a 9 mile loop from High Knob Road, or did an out and back from either High Knob or Coal Mine Roads. This loop is perfect, showcasing the highlights of this special place. What more could you want? Two waterfalls, two vistas, beautiful streams and gorges, hemlocks. This hike gives a lot of bang for your buck.
From the pull off parking, with your back to the pull off, go left on Coal Mine Road. Reach a sign for the LT, go left. Reach stunning Alpine Vista with a dry campsite. Follow the edge of the gorge and make a steep descent to equally beautiful Lower Alpine Vista. Snakes are often here in hot weather. This part of the trail is often wet. Continue on a somewhat steep descent to Ketchum Run on the LT (don’t take the ladder bypass trail if you want to see Rode Falls).
Reach Ketchum Run and the beauty of this place is apparent. Rode Falls and its famous ladder comes into view. Climb the ladder and climb away from the creek via switchbacks. At the top, notice a blue blazed trail on the left. That is the route, but I highly recommend a side hike down to Lee’s Falls and the stunning gorge/chasm just upstream of the falls. The gorge/chasm is a few hundred feet long. Turn around before a fern glade.
Follow the blue trail a short distance and reach an old forest road. The old road is not blazed, but is obvious. Cross a meadow. Follow the road on a steady climb back up to Coal Mine Road, at the gate. Turn left on Coal Mine Road back to the car. I’m not sure why the blue trail isn’t marked all the way to Coal Mine Road, hopefully it will be in the future.
This is the gate as shown on the map.From the pull off parking, hike counterclockwise on the LT, to the blue trail, old forest road, to Coal Mine Road. Also be sure to do the side hike down to Lee’s Falls and the gorge/chasm along the LT. Red/yellow on the map is the LT.
Difficulty: This is mostly an off trail hike. Terrain can be steep with loose rocks along the creek.
Trail conditions: No trails are marked or signed, part of the hike follows forest roads or grades.
Highlights: A glen with a series of beautiful waterfalls and cascades, spring wildflowers.
Parking: pull off parking at about 41.494963, -76.559255.
Description: The Loyalsock has long been loved by hikers thanks to its beauty. It is well known for its many waterfalls, and this is another of its waterfall gems. This hike is short, but requires you to descend Sugar Camp Run, and then climb back out. It is about a 600 vertical foot descent and climb. I don’t know the official name of this small creek, but I used the name Sugar Camp due to the nearby Sugar Camp Spur.
Follow a gated for road for about 600 feet and then turn right onto another. This will take you to the top of the run, I simply hiked off trail down the creek. It was a bit steep with loose rocks, but the forests were open. There were many trout lillies, trilliums, and dutchmans breeches on my hike.
You will cross several old grades. Come to the first falls, about 8 feet tall. The two branches of the run meet with cascades, just below is an impressive glen of about 4 or 5 falls with hemlocks. It is very beautiful. Posted private land is nearby, but these falls are on state forest. It looks like there are more falls downstream, but are on private land. Do not trespass. From here, retrace your steps.
Blue dots are cascades and falls. Red is the rugged off trail route I took. Brown are forest roads. Purple may be an easier route on an old grade, I did not take it. This is not a gps track, it is for general directional purposes only. Accuracy not guaranteed. Hike at your own risk.
Parking: Game Commission lot at 41.353055, -76.194311. I drove in from Noxen, the road was in decent shape, with occasional potholes.
Difficulty: Challenging. While short, only experienced hikers comfortable with off trail hiking and navigation should attempt this trek. It is almost a 400 foot vertical climb to the view.
Trail conditions: This is an off trail hike. Terrain is rugged and rocky with steep sections going up to the view.
Highlights: Beautiful, isolated view and a seasonal falls. Cliffs, boulders, ledges.
Issues: This area of SGL 57 has recently experienced logging. The forest north of Serenity Point has been logged, the view has not been logged. I noticed trees painted for logging near Wolf Run on this hike, if logged you will need to find an alternate route.
Description: From the parking area, hike west on the road, cross Wolf Run, and look for an unblazed trail in the meadow on the right. Take it. This trail crosses the meadow, enters the woods, and ascends along Wolf Run, but you’ll want to veer left and ascend a ridge up to the plateau. This is the most gradual approach to the view, but it is still rugged and rocky. Woods are open. This area has been painted for future logging so you may have to use another route.
Reach the crest of the plateau, head west. There are large cliffs and ledges. Reach Serenity Point, a name I gave it when I first visited about 8 years ago. This is my favorite view over Bowmans Creek in this area. The view is untouched and the valley is narrower than the view from nearby Coyote Rocks. There are several ridgelines and hollows. In the valley is a dark green forest of pine and hemlock. There is no noise from roads or towns. The only noise is the current of Bowmans Creek, which is kind of loud, like stereo surround sound. As the name states, it is serene. The type of place you can sit for an hour or so. I’d love to see this view in autumn, or in the morning with mist in the valley. It is a good sunset view.
You can continue west along the edge to a small creek and drop down to Drip Drop Falls. This is a seasonal falls, but it is unique in that a falls and view are so close together. Retrace your steps. Enjoy this beautiful spot.
On this hike, I also explore large rocks above Wolf Run, as indicated on the map below.
Serenity Point is located at about 41.356530, -76.200091
Drip Drop Falls, old photoRed is off trail. Brown is an unblazed trail. Black dots are large rocks, cliffs, ledges. This is not a gps track and is for general directional purposes. Accuracy not guaranteed, hike at your own risk. Dotted red route was the way I went on my first hike, it was steep and rocky.
Length: Highly variable depending on the routes you take, can be 9-14 miles.
Trail conditions: other than the game commission road, this hike is off trail. Most of the woods are fairly open, so off trail navigation is pretty easy, but you should have experience doing so. Hike along the creeks to see the waterfalls.
Parking: 41.584131, -76.770659
Highlights: Several waterfalls, views of Schrader Creek, isolation, spring wildflowers.
Terrain: Generally easy to moderate. Must hike along creeks. Rollinson Run is somewhat gorged in and requires hiking, climbing along waterfalls.
Issues: Do not attempt this hike in high water. Off trail navigation required to the waterfalls, you should have experience with that type of navigation.
Description: Schrader Creek Valley is full of natural beauty. It has many waterfalls, views, big rocks, gorges, and historical remnants. This hike is to the hidden gem of Rollinson Run.
Schrader Creek Road is the common artery for this hike. It is a long walk, but there are many views of Schrader Creek, and great opportunities for wildlife, wildflowers, and bird watching. Prepare for sun exposure on hot days. Of course, the best way to travel this road is by bike.
Lye Run is scenic, but not a must see. It has two gorges or glens with cascades and slides. The tallest might be five feet. There are bedrock pools. If you want to explore an out of the way place with nice scenery that few people see, hike along Lye Run.
Rollinson Run is the absolute must see. It’s why you are hiking this. Hike up the creek and soon enter a striking gorge about 700 feet long. It is surrounded by cliffs and ledges. While there are places to climb out, you are somewhat gorged in. There are three or four falls and bedrock slides. The bottom falls is over 20 feet, the middle is about 10, and the top is a huge double slide 40-50 feet tall. It is impressive. At the middle falls is a towering cliff with springs tumbling out of it. Must be incredible when it freezes.
Most people also visit Wolf Run. The woods are open between Rollinson and Wolf, so just walk across the plateau. Wolf has two falls, the bottom one is less than 15, the top one is about 10 feet tall. There are several other smaller slides and cascades.
Return to the road and walk it back to the parking area.
Black line is Schrader Creek Rd. Blue dots are areas with waterfalls and cascades. This is not a gps track, it is for general directional purposes. Accuracy not guaranteed, hike at your own risk.
Parking: small game commission lot at 41.904172, -75.695533.
Highlights: mature hemlock forests, rock ledges, beaver meadow, Glen of Cascades.
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail conditions: No trails are blazed or marked. The beginning of the trail follows a grassy game commission road. Rest of the hike is off trail but the woods are mostly open.
Description: This is a beautiful hike in an area that receives few hikers, but SGL 35 has hidden wonders waiting to be explored. This hike exceeded my expectations. From the parking lot, follow the grassy road. At a Y (orange dot on the map) turn left and descend on the winding road. The road comes to an end, go off trail in the woods, heading northeast. The woods are mostly open and easy to traverse. Make your way into a mature hemlock forest along a beaver meadow. The forest is beautiful, with large mossy rocks and ledges on the slope. There are some large pines and hemlocks.
Hike along the meadow, enjoying the views. Reach the outlet of the meadow, where a large beaver dam was blown out. Follow the creek downstream. The glen soon comes into view with a series of waterfalls and cascades tumbling over the red rock ledges. None of the falls are very high, but the setting is very scenic and the falls are tallest at the bottom. The hemlocks make the glen that more beautiful. From here, retrace your steps.
Red is off trail. Turn left at orange dot. This map is not a gps track and is for general directional purposes only.This is where the orange dot is one the map. Turn left here.
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.
Sibling FallsRed is off trail. Blue dots are falls or cascades. The PGC road fades out as it nears Schrader Creek, hence the dots. This map is not a GPS route, it is for general directional purposes only.
Parking: There is no official parking lot at this time. There is pull off parking in a grass field across from the trailer (41.508507, -75.966173) or pull off parking near the old Jurista Farm (41.509793, -75.969907). Do not enter any buildings. This hike is near Tunkhannock, PA.
Highlights: Great views, fields, meadows, wildflowers from late spring to early fall. Small waterfalls a short distance off trail.
Difficulty: This is a challenging hike with significant climbing. There is no scrambling. There are steep slopes. This hike climbs over 1,300 vertical feet.
Trail conditions: This hike has no blazes or signs, but it follows obvious old jeep and atv trails. Navigation is fairly easy. 
Issues: Be prepared for sun exposure in summer. Some meadows may become overgrown.
Direction of this description: Counterclockwise from the old Jurista Farm. This way gives you a longer and more gradual ascent, though the descent will be steeper. This way is also easier for navigation for those unfamiliar with the property, that is why it is described in that direction.
Best direction: I think clockwise is the best. The climb up is steeper, but to hike down the pipeline swath as the views unfold before you is special. 
Description: Miller Mountain is poised to become a premier hiking destination in the future. It has the distinction of being the tallest undeveloped stand-alone mountain in the state. It rises over 1,600 vertical feet above the Susquehanna River. It is no wonder that it once was slated to become a ski resort.
The mountain was state forest until the 1980s. It was then swapped for land in Pine Creek so it could become a ski resort. Those plans fell apart. The mountain was sold to a private landowner. It has finally returned to state forest land for the public to enjoy. Williams Pipeline provided a large portion of funding to buy the mountain. The Conservation Fund arranged the sale, provided the remaining funds, which was reimbursed by the state. Thank you to Williams and the Conservation Fund. 
A formal trail system is hoped for the future with blazes and signs. It will take time to develop that. We hope to develop trails to the other scenic features of the mountain which include more views, gorges, creeks, waterfalls, meadows, and rock formations. It is an exceptional property. In time, the mountain can become a tourist destination for hikers and trail runners. We will need volunteers to make this happen.
This description is very brief due to the pictured descriptions below. This description begins from the old Jurista Farm. Follow the jeep road through the fields and walk around the gate. The road is obvious. Begin the climb, cross the pipeline swath. Continue climbing. Cross the swath and follow it, enjoy the views. Hike to the Cabin view and continue up the swath. We hiked to the ridge and east views, or you can stay on the loop. 
The pipeline swath creates an extensive ridge and mountain top meadow that adds interest to the hike. I reminded me of the mountain top meadows on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The wildflowers must be incredible in summer.
On the loop, cross the swath and descend on an atv trail to Tunkhannock view and then follow an obvious old grade down the mountain. Avoid any paths from the left or right. Just follow this grade straight-ish down the mountain. It is the most established, and at times rutted, route. The slope steepens. Reach a meadow, you can walk up the creek a short ways to small waterfalls. Continue down, walk around the blue gate. Turn left onto Jurista Road and walk back to your car. 
This hike doesn’t actually go to the summit of the mountain (there are no views at the summit), that will be described in another hike.
Small waterfalls just off the loopThis map is not a GPS route, it is for general directional purposes only.
Pictured description (letters reference to the above map):
A. Follow this jeep road across the fields, old Jurista Farm is nearby.B. Hike around this gate, continue up the jeep road.The jeep road is obvious.C. Cross the pipeline swath at a valve. There is a view here too.D. Great view from pipeline swath.E. Turn left to cabin view. Then continue right up the swath.E. Cabin view.F. Turn left to continue on the loop to Tunkhannock view. Turn right to ridge and east views.G. Ridge viewH. Turn left or straight to East view. If you want to go to the summit, go right.I. East view. Elk Mountain can be seen in the distance. Turn around here.J. Tunkhannock viewK. The atv trail curves right, go left and continue down the mountain.L. Cross this meadow. A creek is to the right. You can go upstream to see small waterfalls.M. Walk around the blue gate. Walk down to the road.Turn left on the road to walk back to your car.
Length: 5 to 6.5 miles depending on route taken, ours was 6.5.
Difficulty: Moderate. Stream crossings, steep slopes, no significant climbs. There is flood damage along the creek that drains Dutchman Swamp.
Trail conditions: There is a well marked white blazed trail on the Elklick Wilderness Preserve. The rest of the hike is off trail or follows a gravel road. Other than the preserve, no trails are marked or signed. This hike involves creek side hiking. Off trail navigation required.
Highlights: Several beautiful waterfalls, impressive hemlock and moss forest, glen, narrow gorge.
Parking: Small gravel lot at 41.419024, -76.480881.
Description: This hike has incredible scenery and should be on the list of any hiker who doesn’t mind off trail hiking. There are scenic waterfalls, gorges, glens, and beautiful hemlock forests. And because much of the hike follows creeks, the off trail navigation isn’t very difficult. Mokoma Falls was previously described on this blog, but this hike is far superior and makes the falls much closer to reach.
From the parking area, hike the white trail into the Elklick Wilderness owned by the Mokoma Conservancy. Reach the start of the loop and turn right. These white trails are nice with forest scenery, a meadow, and small streams. At the southeast corner of the loop, leave it and hike to the pipeline swath. Cross it and enter SGL 13. Hike off trail in a south east direction and enter a stunning hemlock and moss forest. It is truly beautiful. Reach a creek and follow downstream, Cross the creek and follow a grade on the south side of it. You will see a gorgeous glen with hemlocks, cascades, and a seven foot double falls. 
Hike above Mokoma Falls, which is not even fifteen feet tall. The setting is stunning with towering hemlocks. Follow the creek downstream and reach another creek, turn left and go upstream. The flood damage is apparent. There is space to hike on the north side of the creek, but you will need to cross and follow an old grade on the south side. There are many cascades and old stone retaining walls. The gorge narrows with ledges. It is scenic despite the flood damage. 
The first falls on this creek comes into view, about seven feet in a bedrock grotto. Above is another falls, a slide with a deep pool and small sidestreams with their own small waterfalls, a gorgeous spot. Continue upstream. Reach a 12 foot falls with a bedrock slide and above is the tallest falls, a beautiful, broad falls over twenty feet tall. More cascades and slides are above. This gorge of waterfalls is absolutely beautiful. 
Here, you can retrace your steps back to the car, or head north off trail to the game commission road and hike that out back to your car (Alt. Route on map). 
We continued upstream to Dutchmans Swamp, there were no more falls. It became apparent why there was flood damage. The large beaver dam at the swamp blew out. What was once a pond is now a huge meadow. I’m sure this is an ideal place for rare plants and flowers in summer. We hiked north, followed a deer fence around a logged area and hiked out via the game commission road. We crossed the pipeline swath and followed the white trail back to the car. 
Sullivan County has so much natural beauty. Enjoy this amazing hike. 
Red is off trail. White is a white blazed trail. This map is for general directional purposes only, it is not a GPS track.
Parking: 41.470381, -76.578854. More space is available at the park office.
Difficulty: Moderate but the climb to High Rock is steep and rocky, as is parts of the Butternut Trail.
Highlights: Views, large rocks, waterfalls. The waterfalls are on small creeks and can be a trickle in dry weather.
Trail conditions: Trails are well blazed and established.
Description: This loop has it all, views, waterfalls, and large rocks. It explores a section of the state park that is a little less used. Worlds End is an incredible park for dayhiking with a vast network of scenic trails and many route options.
This loop is described clockwise. From the parking area, follow the Loyalsock (LT) and High Rock Trails to the left. Climb gradually and descend to High Rock Run and a footbridge. High Rock Falls is below, but it is hard to get a view of it. Begin the steep, rocky climb to High Rock with large ledges and hemlocks. Reach the beautiful view at High Rock as it overlooks the park.
Continue on the LT as it climbs more gradually above the gorge of High Rock Run. Reach the yellow Flynn Trail and turn right on it. Cross a unique, thick log bridge. A series of scenic waterfalls are downstream. The Flynn Trail is easy as it gradually descends on an old forest road. Reach the orange Butternut Trail and turn left.
This trail gradually ascends. If hiking after a heavy rain, you might pass a seasonal run off waterfall on the left. Reach the rocky glen of Butternut Run. A falls is above the creek, in a cove of ledges. The trail narrows and is rocky. Climb and reach Butternut View, a nice vista that looks down the Loyalsock Creek. Now begin a series of switchbacks along ledges, it is steep and rocky. Cross Butternut Run and hike above a waterfall. The trail traverses a steep, rocky slope above the Loyalsock Creek with large boulders. Pick up a road and veer left on it. Descend to a camping area, and then descend back to your car.
Length: If you hike the entire escarpment from PA 487 to the trail near the cabins, it is around three to four miles, one way.
Terrain: this hike is off trail. There isn’t a lot of elevation gain or loss, but it is rocky with brush in places.
Highlights: impressive rock outcrops, overhangs, recess caves, and chasms. Old growth hemlock forests. Ruins of a dam. Off trail waterfall.
Parking: Lake Rose parking lot is an ideal place to park. 41.329923, -76.291010. You can also shuttle cars between the two ends.
Description: Ricketts Glen is an amazing state park and is famous for its waterfalls along the Falls Trail. However, it offers so much more if you’re willing to explore. There are off trail vistas and waterfalls. And the park has impressive rock outcrops and formations.
I explored this area over several hikes. It basically follows the escarpment north, or above, the Old Beaver Dam Road and Highland Trails. In many places, the features of this hike are very close to these trails.
I did not encounter a lot of thick brush while exploring, though I did have to push through saplings in places. The forests are often open, and very beautiful, with moss, ferns, and giant hemlocks.
You can choose your own route, there is a lot to see. My favorite spots are what I call Tannin Falls, a scenic off trail falls, 12-15 feet tall, in a grotto of ferns and hemlocks. I also loved the outlet of Lake Rose. There were incredible old growth hemlocks and some boulder caves. The ruins of the dam were also interesting.
“Large ledges and cliffs” on the map are a must see, a stunning escarpment of cliffs and ledges with rock overhangs. There are also impressive rocks near the Midway Crevasse.
The recess cave at the east end is incredible and a highlight of the hike.
Enjoy this beautiful, hidden world.
Black dots are rock outcrops. Purple dots are particularly scenic outcrops. Green dots are old growth hemlock.
Hike Pennsylvania with Jeff Mitchell 