Buttermilk Falls, Hemlock and Crater Lake loop

DIRECTIONS URGENT NOTE: Meet at the parking area at Buttermilk Falls BUT!!! Due to the bridge closure at Walpack, the ONLY way to access the Buttermilk Falls parking lot is from Route 206.

A beautiful hike mingles the history of Old Mine Road with the natural beauty of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This approximate 7 mile loop trail is at the challenging end of moderate, and takes an average of 3 hours 30 mins to complete (so likely 4 hours with overlook, water and snack stops) with about 1400 ft of elevation gain. No beginning hikers, please.

Starting at the base of the Falls, we'll hike up to the Woods Road - this is a long, steady incline and in the heat will be challenging. Then we'll take Woods "road" to Hemlock and Crater lakes, loop around and catch up with the AT, which we'll hike back up to and overlook and continue north to the Falls trail and hike back down to close the loop.

Bring lunch, bug spray, a snack and PLENTY of water at the very least.

DIRECTIONS: Turn south (left if heading west; right if heading east) onto Struble Road like you're going to the Tillman Ravine from route 206. Pass Tillman and about a 1/2 mile ahead at the intersection with the cemetery, turn left on Brook Road (also called Mountain road). The parking lot and meeting point is about a mile down.
DetailsAllTrails custom map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/delaware-water-gap-buttermilk-falls-hemlock-crater-lakes-at-back-to-close-loop-a9ad5f2

🥾 HIKE INFO🔸️Length: ~7 miles🔸️Difficulty: Rated moderate, this is a taxing hike up and down.🔸️Total Elevation Gain: About 1400 feet🔸️Conditions: There may be a muddy stretch on Woods Road and there is a water crossing. IT WILL BE HOT. There is a steep hike down from the AT back to the Falls Trail. Wear/bring appropriate gear, you may want poles. 🔸️Pace: overall moderate, but slower going up, and carefully coming down the steep AT section to Falls Trail.📍Meeting location: SEE ABOVE (Buttermilk Falls, Walpack Twp Parking Lot)🙋‍♀️Newcomers are always welcome though this is not a hike for beginners.🤗No one left behind, this is a social group enjoying nature

📌✍️DISCLAIMER/Waiver of Responsibility: All attendees of this event participate at their own risk and are solely responsible for any injury to their property and/or any injury to themselves and/or their guests. The organizers of this group and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event. You are responsible to research this event, know the area, and to wear and have with you proper gear. By signing up for and attending this event, you affirm you understand this disclaimer, and you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any claim arising out of or related to this event against Meetup or the organizers of this Meetup group.