Hawk Falls Trail

Location: Hickory Run State Park, Pennsylvania
Season Visited: Fall
Trail Length: 0.6 miles there-and-back
Time to Hike: 25 minutes
Difficulty Level: 2

Hickory Run State Park  is an interesting and diverse state park in the Poconos in Pennsylvania.  It has 44 miles of hiking trails ranging from very easy to moderately difficult and some amazing scenery, including its famous Boulder Field.

Sean and Cleo at the boulder field, a National Natural Landmark.

Hawk Falls Trail is short and sweet.  It's perfect for beginning hikers or when you just want to take a stroll, but still want to see a nice waterfall!  Begin your hike at the parking area just past the Rt. 476 overpass, as if you were leaving the park on Rt. 534.  Park on the right-hand side of the road and you'll see the Hawk Falls Trail sign a little to your right.  Hawk Falls Trail is letter J on this map.

The trail begins with a downhill walk through some rhododendron.  Before long you come to a bridge over a creek.  There are plenty of little places to explore off the trail.

Past the bridge, continuing on the trail.

A little further on and to the left you'll notice a rock outcropping a few feet off of the trail.  Be sure to spend some time here, because it is your first view of the 25-foot waterfall.  There are some rocks to climb on and if you're feeling a bit adventurous you can scramble down to the foot of the falls, and also around the top!

There is also a nice place to stop and look at the water of Hawk Run when you continue down the trail.

The trail then leads you through a tunnel of rhododendron and down to the foot of the falls if you haven't climbed down there already, as I did.  Again, it's fun to climb on the rocks.  I recommend climbing them back up to the outcrop instead of taking the trail back around, just for the fun of it :)

Some last pictures with the falls before heading back.

When you're done with the falls, all that's left to do is retrace your steps.

Quick and easy, Hawk Falls Trail is a nice way to spend a little leisure time at Hickory Run.  There are plenty of other trails nearby, so feel free to extend your trip!  Enjoy your hike, and keep wandering.

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Stairway to Heaven - Appalachian Trail

Location: Wawayanda State Park, New Jersey
Season Visited: Fall, Winter
Trail Length: 7.4 miles there-and-back
Time to Hike: 4 hours
Difficulty Level: 4

The Stairway to Heaven is a popular and diverse section of the Appalachian Trail.  With a ridiculously easy beginning on a boardwalk and a moderately difficult climb up Wawayanda Mountain in Wawayanda State Park, the trail gives you a wide range of difficulty and plenty of time to warm up your legs for your mountain ascent.  So put on your hiking shoes and get ready for a fun four-hour adventure.

Begin your hike on the side of the road at this location on Rt. 517: N41 14.084 W74 28.852.  You will see a sign for a hiker crossing, which is when you know to pull over.  You start your hike on a mile of beautiful boardwalk.

This section includes the very nifty Pochuck suspension bridge.

AT blaze on the bridge.

The bridge gives a nice view of the marshy land below.

After the open area you spend some time in the woods, continuing on a moderately easy path.  Pass through a wooden fence and turn right, cross a bridge, and look for the AT blaze on another section of fence to your left.  The trail thins out for a while here.

Wooden planks await you further on down the trail.

Wawayanda Mountain is right in front of you.

Cross a stile onto some railroad tracks, and then cross some boards on a cow pasture before climbing another stile and ending up smack dab on Rt. 94.  Another parking lot closer to the mountain is located here, and is popular with hikers looking to do a shorter route just up the mountain.  Be careful when you cross this busy road!

After that, begin your adventure on Wawayanda Mountain!  Amazing boulder formations give way to a steep climb.  If, like me, you make your journey in the fall, enjoy the amazing fall colors on and around the mountain.

Cleopatra enjoying the leaves.

The rocks can be difficult to navigate.  Keep an eye on the blazes.

Steep stairs.

Make a left and take a quick detour onto a blue-blazed trail with an overlook sign.  This will take you to a superb spot to admire the land surrounding the mountain.  If you're lucky on a clear day, you'll be able to see High Point Monument, 25 miles away.

Can't miss the turn-off with a big pile of rocks in the way!

High Point Monument in the distance.

When you've had your fill of the view, simply head back the way you came.  Maybe the cows will be out in the pasture, which is a fun photo op!

Aww, wooly bear.

Cute and fuzzy!

Cleo makes some new friends.

Mooooo.

After a little more pleasant hiking you'll be back to the suspension bridge and boardwalk.

All in all, the Stairway to Heaven is a beautiful and fun hike.  The varied sections all have their own charm, and the boardwalk is an iconic section of the AT.  Keep on wandering, and enjoy your hike.

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UPDATE - 1/26/14

I revisited the Stairway to Heaven two weeks ago.  The boardwalk was filled with casual walkers but the mountain was almost entirely empty.  It seemed more arduous climbing up the switchbacks in the winter, but the sense of solitude and quiet was magnificent.  Here are some shots from my trip.

Pochuck Suspension Bridge in winter.

Base of Wawayanda Mountain.

Ice on the trail near the overlook.  Had to make a slight detour around it.

Views.

Trail below.

Crossing the cow pasture.  No cows out today.

Stile just past the railroad tracks on the way back.

Sun starting to peek out.

Winter brings new shades of color.

Wander on, friends.