Tag Archives: views

Hike to Pine Island Ledge Vista and Waterfalls-Pine Creek Gorge (PA Grand Canyon)

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Pine Island Ledge Vista

Length: Approx. 8 miles

Difficulty: Very difficult and challenging.

Trail conditions: Route follows unmarked and unblazed trails, old forest roads or grades, and off trail hiking. It is a steep climb or descent to/from Pine Island Ledge. The bottom section of Pine Island Run requires scrambling along waterfalls and traversing a landslide. It is the most challenging part and potentially dangerous. Do not attempt in high water.

Highlights: Incredible views, cliffs, rock outcrops, glens, many waterfalls and cascades.

Parking: 41.631387, -77.395402. Drive in from the north. There is no bridge where Claymine Road crosses Stony Fork.

Peregrine falcons: They nest at Pine Island Ledge. I was not aware they were nesting when I visited. Consider hiking elsewhere until their nesting season is over.

Rattlesnakes: Can be found at the vistas, and along the hike.

Cliffs: This hike goes near massive cliffs. Be careful. Any fall would be fatal.

Other navigation aids: Look at MyHikes for Pine Island Run and Ledge. You might want to hike them separate to avoid the lower section of Pine Island Run. Also, a prior post to the ledge.

Description: Pine Island Ledge is widely considered the most beautiful view in the Pine Creek Gorge, if not Pennsylvania. I think it is one of the most beautiful canyon or gorge views in the eastern U.S. Here, the canyon is so narrow and Pine Creek flows hundreds of feet below. The ledge has become an increasingly popular destination in the Tioga State Forest.

This is a very challenging hike, only experienced hikers should attempt. It is one of the most beautiful, and difficult, hikes in the Pine Creek Gorge. Most hikers to Pine Island use the rail trail, but this way is long and taxing. The hike from Claymine Road is much more scenic and challenging.

Hiking the loop clockwise or counterclockwise has its benefits. Clockwise requires a difficult scramble down Pine Island Run and a steep climb up to Pine Island Ledge. Counterclockwise is the opposite. It may be best to scramble up the lower gorge of Pine Island Run, which I consider the most challenging part. You can always skip this part and just go to the view.

From the parking area, follow an obvious trail through laurel down to Pine Island Run. Reach an intersection (see picture below). Go left to hike clockwise, right is counterclockwise. We hiked clockwise.

The hike along Pine Island Run is very beautiful with many cascades and slides. You will have to hike off trail much of the way and cross where you need to. The bottom of this gorge is very beautiful but challenging. It is best to stay on the west side of the creek. Be careful crossing a landslide. Rocks and cliffs tower above. Never attempt this hike in high water as the lower part of the gorge becomes too dangerous.

An unmarked trail makes the steep climb to the view. The view is simply incredible, framed by pine trees. An obvious trail continues north from the view, it becomes an old atv trail. There is one more view. There are beautiful pine and hemlock forests. The trail reaches private property, here go off trail to the east, roughly following the state forest boundary markers. Descend to an old grade This grade will take you to a campsite. Cross the creek and complete the loop.

You should have navigational aids or apps to hike this trail, especially the off trail part at the north end of the loop. The rest is fairly easy to navigate.

Parking on Claymine Road. Trail begins behind white sign.
This is where the trail from the parking area meets the loop. Left is down Pine Island Run, clockwise. Right is counterclockwise.
Red is off trail. Yellow are unmarked trails or old logging grades, some can be faint. Blue dots are waterfalls or cascades. This is not a gps track, accuracy not guaranteed, it is for general directional purposes only. Hike at your own risk. This is a very difficult hike with potentially dangerous sections.

Hike Miller Mountain-Pinchot State Forest

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Looking up Sugar Hollow from the cabin view.

Length: 7 miles, loop alone is about 6 miles.

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 loop
This 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 view
H. 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 view
K. 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.

Vistas of Moosic Mountain-SGL 300

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Incredible views from Moosic Mountain

Length: Approx. 3 miles

Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Trails: This hike follows jeep roads and an unblazed trail. No trails have signs or blazes.

Parking: A lot is here 41.517442, -75.472724. Road is only open during hunting season. Road was in good shape when I drove it.

Highlights: Extensive views. You can even see the Catskills! Blueberry meadows, heath barrens.

Issues: Wear orange during hunting season.

Best time to hike: Blueberry meadows turn red in mid October. Wildflowers in late spring and summer.

Description: Moosic Mountain is a local treasure and a very unique mountain. It is a broad sloping ridge that resembles more of a plateau. It has the largest heath barrens in the east and is home to several rare species. Most people visit Moosic Mountain at the beautiful Eales Preserve. However, this hike has views that are superior to Eales. The hiking here is also more isolated and natural, as it is further away from urban areas than Eales.

This is by far the finest hike near Scranton for views. I was impressed. From the parking area, follow the jeep road as it makes a gradual climb across meadows and past pine trees. Descend gradually and a gravel jeep road joins from the right, this is your return route. Begin another gradual climb as views open in all directions. Reach the height of the ridge and enjoy views over the ridge of red blueberry meadows. Begin a gradual descent.

Keep an eye out for an obvious trail that makes a sharp right, you will take this. For now, continue straight across the blueberry meadows. This is spectacular on bright sunny days during peak red foliage. I turned around at a spot with almost a 360 degree view. Return to the trail I mentioned earlier. Now turn left on the trail and climb gradually. Enjoy the views. The peak of Elk Mountain rises to the north. Reach a grove of pine trees. Notice a faint trail through the pine, it ends at a stunning vista to the north and east. You can even see the Catskills. Do not miss this view.

Continue south on the trail. This trail is followable, but brushy. Enjoy more meadows and occasional views. The trail can get faint, but you can follow it as it stays near the top of the ridge. Reach the gravel jeep road. Turn right and then turn left onto the next jeep road. Retrace your steps back to the car.

Gray is the jeep roads. Yellow is the unblazed trail which becomes more brushy as you head south. Red is a short unblazed side trail to a stunning view. No trails are marked.