Hiking Windfall Run-SGL 57

I’ve spent years exploring SGL 57, but have spent little time exploring the southern areas of the gamelands near Noxen. This year, I decided to change that. One hike I’ve wanted to do was a loop along Windfall Run. A few weeks ago, I headed out to see what was there. Ben joined me on this hike.

I parked along Wilson Ayers Road, as named on Google Maps. We then followed a logging road to the right as it gradually climbed through a logged area. The road left the logged area and entered the woods. We were able to follow it with some effort. Below us to the right was Windfall Run. The grade stayed above the run, which did not appear to have any waterfalls. The grade gradually climbed up the glen of Windfall Run and we crossed some side streams and springs. Closer to the top, ledges and rocks appeared on the higher slopes, with some spruce. The grade veered to the left and then crossed a small stream; it became a little harder to follow. The grade climbed to the top of the plateau where we turned left, leaving the grade.

We hiked along the edge of the plateau, battling blueberry bushes and some laurel. We soon reached a cliff rim and some partial views. We continued along the top of the cliffs, as a talus field spread below us. We then reached an outcrop with a great view looking down the glen of Windfall Run and out to Montage Mountain, over thirty miles away. Rolling foothills made this a beautiful vista. Below us were more ledges and a possible cave. We headed south, off trail, to a rock bald. We continued south along ledges and cliffs and veered slightly to the southwest. There we came upon a beautiful mini rock maze that was fascinating to walk through. Within the maze was a porcupine den, so we called in the Porcupine Maze, a highlight of the hike.

Our route continued west along the cliffs and then down an old skid trail to Cider Run Road; this route is not recommended as it is too far out the way and required a road walk. A better route is the one shown on the map. Head east along the ridgeline and then descend along the tiers of ledges and cliffs. Pick up a grade or skid trail and descend to the parking area. No trails are marked or blazed.  The route on the map above is about 5.2 miles.

This was a surprisingly rewarding hike with a great view, streams, cliffs, rock bald, ledges, and rock maze. There is a lot of great hiking to be found near Noxen.

Park at about 41.396906, -76.123028.



Click map for a detailed geo-referenced PDF.  Map courtesy of Ben Van Riper.

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Windfall Vista, a new vista in SGL 57 above Windfall Run. 40 mile views, Montage Mtn ski area is in the distance.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:21am PST

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Hazy sun in a spruce forest above Windfall Run, SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:25am PST

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Porcupine Maze, a unique rock maze with a porcupine den. SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:28am PST

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Porcupine rock maze, SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:30am PST

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Big ledges above Windfall Run, SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:33am PST

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Windfall Vista, SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:36am PST