Ricketts Glen State Park
Main Draws: Hiking and Natural Scenic Area
Seasons: Spring, Summer Fall. Winter closed to all but properly equipped ice climbers.
General Area Description: Located in North Central Pennsylvania, Ricketts Glen State Park occupies nearly 14,000 acres of old growth forests spanning three Pennsylvania Counties. Within it's boundaries resides the Glen Natural Area the hallmark of which is the spectacular Falls Trails that follows the course of roaring crick that spots waterfall after waterfall. A total of 22 falls cascade along the course of the Fall trails, the largest dropping 94' in height. Ricketts Glen can be found East of the town of Williamsport...
Access to the Falls Trail can be found off from Route 118, the Lake Rose Trail Head Parking (the shortest way in) or form the trail head at the Beach Parking Lot 2 in the State Park. The best time to hike the trail is as early in the morning as possible. Once lunch time rolls around, campers roll out of the State Park and the trail fills up rapidly. As the trail is rated difficult you can find yourself dealing with marginally prepared or physically fit people struggling on the trail. From the DCNR's trail description of the Falls trails...
Falls Trail: 7.2 miles, most difficult hiking
The full loop of this trail is 7.2 miles if hiking both the upper and lower sections. To see most of the waterfalls, a 3.2-mile loop can be taken by going on Highland Trail and the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen sides of the trail. The trails follow along 21 beautiful waterfalls ranging in heights from 11 feet to 94 feet. The scenery is well worth the effort, however, the terrain is rocky, can be slippery and descends steeply on both the Ganoga and Glen Leigh sides. Hikers should take extra precautions with trail conditions, wear proper footwear, stay on the trail and be in good physical condition.
Resources: Here's a teaser video...[video]https://youtu.be/HZ3E_M3RnJU?list=UUop-u7-nGfVPWsIATgkVTVQ[/video]. Info for the hike and for amenities offered at the State Park can be found
here.
Bonus: Located in the area is an old ice pond that was used back in the day for harvesting ice for ye oldy ice houses. It takes a bit of exploring to find but its a nice drive in the woods...