Today our adventures took us to Hickory Run State Park. The last time we were here it was fall when the leaves were showing off their vibrant autumn colors. I was excited to see how it was going to look in winter covered in snow. We got an early start so we could avoid the crowds. This area has become quite popular over the years, and can be very overcrowded on weekends. The parking area for Hawk Falls off route 534 was empty when we arrived. We parked the car, geared up in our microspikes and made our way onto the icy trail. Light snow showers began just as we started the hike. The trail was packed down into a hard sheet of ice. But the path was wide and not very steep, so it was safe to travel with just light traction. A foot bridge crossed over Hawk Run, and we continued past steep rock walls lined in hemlock and rhododendron. We followed a short use trail to a rock outcropping that gave us a nice view of the top of the falls tumbling down the side of the rocky ledge. It looked so beautiful as soft white snowflakes fell from the sky. In just a short .6 miles we arrived at the bottom where the 25 foot Hawk Falls plunged into a clear pool of cascades. We spent some time here enjoying the magnificence of this natural waterfall. Near the falls, we noticed some ice formations along the high cliff walls and decided to explore them. The moss covered ledges and large icicles dripped with melting water. We then got back on the trail and followed along Mud Run until we reached the junction for the Orchard Trail. We turned east and made an ascent up a hill and onto a ridge with nice views that continued through a hardwood forest. Eventually, the trail dropped us down again on some switchbacks into a windy thicket of rhododendron. It led us to a large rock outcrop just above Mud Run where spectacular cascades tumbled over large rocks and boulders. There were many use trails branching off to offer closer views of the beautiful water flow. The trail then turned northeast and we started to ascend moving away from the creek. Now higher above Mud Run the trail was a mix of patchy snow and muddy pools of water flowing down the mountain. Our waterproof boots came in handy here. Eventually, the trail looped west and back into the hardwoods where it was mostly snow. We closed the lollipop loop and made our way back over the ridge and down to the Hawk Falls trail to return the way we came. By this time many people were starting to arrive. We saw several large groups slipping and sliding on the ice attempting to make their way to the falls on the icy trail. When we arrived back at the parking area, there were at least 20+ cars with more lining up to get a spot. I was grateful to have been able to enjoy a quiet morning in solitude along this beautiful trail.
Today we explored some of the trails in Lackawanna State Park. Lacka-wanna is Native American for “the meeting of two streams”. We parked at the trailhead just off Cole Road on the north side of Tunkhannock Creek, crossed the bridge and headed east onto the South Branch Trail. The trail first took us through an open field covered in snow. It looked so magical with the icy snowflakes blowing off the trees like glitter against the blue sky. It was a sunny day, and the snow covered ground sparkled in the morning sunlight as we followed the path. The temperatures were in the mid 20s, but no wind and the sun felt warming as we hiked. The trail then moved closer to the creek entering a beautiful forest of hemlock trees. It followed along the edge of the creek on a narrow track before ascending upward to a wider path. We continued along this track about 2 miles to Messimer Preserve where we found a sign stating, “Sorry We’re Closed”. At this point we turned around and headed back in the opposite direction. On our way we found a spur trail that descended to the creek where we spent time exploring the area and enjoying the small cascades. After our side adventure, we continued back to Cole Road where we crossed and headed west on the Bassett Trail. The trails here were a mix of mud and ice, but the scenery was beautiful nonetheless. We took the Abington Trail to the Lake Shore Trail to get some views of Lackawanna Lake which looked like it was mostly frozen over. We reached a junction for the Lee Hill Trail, took a sharp turn north and began to ascend into more beautiful forest. This trail is also used for mountain biking and I can see why. The trails here were undulating and very enjoyable to hike. Eventually, we met up again with the Bassett Path and closed out the loop. Lackawanna State Park is a beautiful area with many more trails to explore and also a number of preserves in the same vicinity. I’ll surely be back again to see more of this place.
Today I went back to Jacobsburg State Park. I think this is going to be my “go to” place whenever I don’t want to do a long hike or drive too far. The temperatures were supposed to be in the mid 90s today, and I wanted to be back home in the a/c before that happened. I parked in the parking area just before the bridge over Bushkill Creek on Jacobsburg Road. Since the bridge was closed I made my way on foot to enter the west side of the park at the locked gate heading south across State Park Road. From there, I turned west and followed along Sobers Run on the Red/Green blazed trail. It was still fairly early and it was a pleasant walk in the shade along the creek. I had no real plan to do any mileage today, so I took my time and enjoyed the scenery. I could hear the song of a Wood Thrush and also the locusts chattering high up in the trees. I took the connector trail (yellow/green blazed) to make a loop. I crossed back over Jacobsburg Road and began to follow the trail South. According to the map, the trail should have crossed over Bushkill Creek and taken me back to the parking area. Unfortunately, I think the trail has become overgrown or washed away because I didn’t see anything that resembled a trail on the other side of the creek. I backtracked and walked a short ways on State Park Road to the car. Once back at the parking area, I took a short side trip down to the creek on the Jacobsburg Trail, but even from this direction, I didn’t see a trail on the other side of the creek. Maybe one day when it’s a little cooler I’ll do a bit more exploring off trail to see what I find.
