Ricketts Glen State Park, PA (Rating: A)

Hike Description:

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Rt. 118 Trailhead Parking (41.300190, -76.272543). From there, we will commence our hike via the Falls Trail. We will hike from Rt. 118 Trailhead Parking north to Waters Meet passing 3 waterfalls (not blazed/difficult/1.8 miles). From Waters Meet, we will head west towards Erie Waterfall and pass 5 additional waterfalls. Just after the 6th waterfall on this stretch, Seneca Waterfall, we will cut west to complete Old Beaver Dam Road Trail (yellow blaze/difficult/4.0 miles) and Grand View Trail (yellow blaze/easy/1.9 miles). After we complete that loop, we will continue back to the Falls Trail up to Lake Rose (Waters Meet to Lake Rose, 1.4 miles) passing an additional 4 waterfalls. We will stop at Lake Rose Trailhead Parking (41.329880, -76.291092) for a restroom break then cut east and take Highland Trail (difficult/1.2 miles). After crossing Highland Trail, we will join the Falls Trail to Waters Meet passing 8 more waterfalls (1.4 miles). From Waters Meet, we will finish our hike back to our vehicles at Rt. 118 Trailhead Parking (1.8 miles).

• Approximately 13.3 miles miles

• We will average 2-2.5 MPH for this hike based on difficulty and opportunities to take photos at each waterfall.

• We should finish by 4 p.m.

• Wear proper footwear.

• Bring water, food/snacks, sunscreen, and bug repellent.

Leader: Kristin

Feel free to message or text Kristin with questions (703. 472. 5627).

Meet:

9:00 a.m. @ Ricketts Glen State Park, Rt. 118 Trailhead Parking (41.300190, -76.27254)

• or -

4:30 a.m. @ Centreville Park & Ride

** Please write in comments section where you plan to meet us.

Carpool Fee from Centreville: $18 + toll fees

Hike Leader, Kristin, will meet everyone at the Rt. 118 Trailhead as she will already be in PA for the weekend.

Directions:

From Centreville Park & Ride to Ricketts Glen (224 miles, ~4:15 hours

• Get on VA-28 N in Chantilly from Stone Rd and Westfields Blvd (3.4 miles

• Take VA-267 W, US-15 N, US-22 W and US-11 N to PA-54 W/Continental Blvd in Danville (184 miles

Take PA-642 E, PA-42 N and PA-118 E (36.3 miles

• Once in the park cross the dam and follow the signs to the right to the trailhead.

( https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Centreville+Park+%26+Ride,+6168+Early+Autumn+Dr,+Centreville,+VA+20120/41.300190,+-76.272543+/@40.0514604,-78.883683,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m11!4m10!1m5!1m1!1s0x89b6449119065775:0x3d3e139d818567f2!2m2!1d-77.4552205!2d38.835952!1m3!2m2!1d-76.272543!2d41.30019 )

GPS Coordinates for Rt. 118 Trailhead: 41.300190, -76.272543

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/rickettsglen/

Park Entry Fee: Free

(“There are no entrance fees or day use fees for any state park in Pennsylvania.”)

http://dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/prices/index.htm

Resources:

Ricketts Glen State Park Maps.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/rickettsglen/index.htm?tab=Maps#Maps

• Print the Ricketts Glen State Park Map and the Glens Natural Area Enlargement Map.

Ricketts Glen State Park.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/rickettsglen/

Waterfall Paradise: Tips for Hiking the Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen State Park.

http://uncoveringpa.com/hiking-falls-trail-ricketts-glen-state-park

Ricketts Glen Falls Hike. http://www.midatlantichikes.com/rg-fallshike.htm

Ricketts Glen Waterfalls. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfalls_in_Ricketts_Glen_State_Park

Trip Advisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g52191-d325168-Reviews-Ricketts_Glen_State_Park-Benton_Pennsylvania.html

Emergency Phone Number: 911

Nearest Hospital: Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815

Notes on Trails from Web Site:

Highland Trail: 1.2-miles, more difficult hiking. The trail cuts across the top of the Falls Trail System and crosses through Midway Crevasse, a narrow passageway between large blocks of Pocono sandstone conglomerates that were deposited throughout this area by glacial movements. At least three times in the last one million years, continental glaciers buried this land under hundreds of feet of ice. This trail makes an excellent area for geological study groups.

Grand View Trail: 1.9 miles, more difficult hiking, This trail takes hikers to the highest point on Red Rock Mountain (elevation 2,449 ft). In mid-June, the beautiful mountain laurel is in bloom. In mid-July, the high bush blueberries bear fruit, and in the fall, there are awe inspiring views of the fall foliage encompassing the surrounding hillsides, making this trail a pleasant hike at any time of the year.

Old Beaver Dam Road Trail: 4 miles, more difficult hiking. Named for the old beaver dam, which can be seen just off the trail, this trail makes an excellent loop trail for hikers and cross-country skiers. It also brushes up next to Ganoga Falls, which can be accessed by using a short connector trail. Although the connector is easy to moderate hiking, use caution where it meets the Falls Trail System due to the switchbacks and drop-offs. Access is from a small pull-off of PA 487, or from the Lake Rose parking lot.

( http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/rickettsglen/ )

*** Hikers should be experienced in recent hikes of this distance and elevation gain. Please contact Kristin if you have any questions or concerns about hiking level. ***