Hickory Run State Park, Fourth Run Trail, Stage Trail, Hickory Run Cemetery, Sand Spring Trail, Hickory Run Trail, 8.5 miles RT, October 9, 2020

It was a perfect day to explore more of Hickory Run State Park. This is a beautiful park with so much history. We started the day off by hiking past the Manor House, the former dwelling of Samuel Gould. In the 1800s, the Goulds were the primary landholders of the region and owned many sawmills here. We past the Manor House and headed onto the Fourth Run Trail. This is the longest trail in the park, but today we diverted onto the Stage Trail which was once a stagecoach road that went from Bethlehem to Wilkes-Barre. The Stage trail took us to to the Saylorsville Dam where we followed the winding paved road across the ford and then back to the parking area. It was a lovely walk and I enjoyed meandering along enjoying the fall foliage. Once back at the trailhead I wanted to check out the old Hickory Run Cemetery. This small cemetery in the woods sits on top of a hill and most people aren't even aware that it's here.  The cemetery is a place of rest for the unfortunate folks who lost their lives in a flood that devastated the community of Hickory Run on October 30, 1849.  The story goes that the woods are haunted by Elizabeth Gould who lost her life on that tragic night when a dam gave way.  "Lizzie" was just 11 years old.  She was the daughter of Isaac and Susan Gould who were early settlers of the area. The family lived in a small cabin built along side the stream.  When the dam broke the cabin was lifted up off its foundation, carried downstream and submerged in the rushing waters.  When the water passed Susan was able to break a hole in the roof to get all of her children out except for one... Lizzie.  When rescuers arrived, Susan claimed she heard Lizzie calling out, but no one else could hear the cries.  Lizzie was later found deceased beneath a pile of rubble near the house.  In the weeks ahead, Lizzie's brother Winefield would also pass away due to exposure from the night of the flood.  Winefiled is also buried here next to Lizzie.  The Legend goes that Lizzie is not at rest and park visitors have reported seeing her ghost roaming through the park or playing along Hickory Run.  Others claim to still hear her cries. I paid my respects and headed back to the trailhead. It was such a lovely day and I wasn’t ready to leave just yet. I did one last trail which was a short loop on the Sand Springs Trail and returned back via the Hickory Run Trail. It was another great day to be outside enjoying nature and the fresh mountain air.