Exploring a Hidden Waterfall Glen-SGL 134

[image error]

Yellow is a gated forest road.  Red is off trail.  Green is the easiest route, but may cross private property.


SGL 134 is a hidden gem, lying in the shadow of the Loyalsock State Forest. Here you will find beautiful vistas from cliffs over the narrow, rugged Loyalsock Creek valley. There is also Huckle Run, a small stream of stunning beauty with pristine water and a gorge with several waterfalls. The forests feature extensive hemlocks and large tulip poplar trees.


A few months ago I returned to SGL 134 to explore the gorge of an unnamed stream located north of Dry Run, near the village of Barbours. I suspected there would be waterfalls. Without a trail, I would have to bushwhack into the gorge. I parked along Proctor Road and hiked up a gate game commission road. I then began my off trail hike by climbing up the plateau to a ridge with many ledges and outcrops, including a unique stone pillar or pedestal. There were some partial views through the trees. I descended along the ridge and entered the gorge. Below me was a 15 foot falls in a scenic grotto.


Unfortunately, this is a small stream that does not hold water well. While it was running on my hike, it was low. I suggest the best time to see the falls is when the Loyalsock Creek is running at 6 feet or higher, as a rough approximation. I climbed up the gorge to see a 20 foot falls that tumbled over tiers of ledges. I couldn’t climb above this falls, so I backtracked down the creek and found an old grade on the west side. I climbed up the grade and saw a couple more scenic falls, about ten feet tall, often in grottos of sandstone. I continued my climb up the creek passing small cascades and slides under large hemlocks. Giant tulip poplars towered in the forest. I reached a deer fence and an old forest road with briars; I stayed in the woods. I followed a more open forest road and hiked around the deer fence. I descended to the game commission road and returned to my car.


My route wasn’t very ideal. It would be best to follow the green route on the map into the gorge, but it was not clear on my hike if that would cross private land. The ridge with the ledges was scenic, as was the gorge. Getting around the deer fence and logged area was a pain.


If you are looking for a new waterfall destination when all the creeks are high, I recommend this unnamed gorge. I also hope to explore nearby Dry Run sometime this year.


I parked at 41.411242, -76.804107.














View this post on Instagram



















Rock columns.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jan 6, 2019 at 2:06pm PST
















View this post on Instagram



















Secret glen with five falls. Could've used more water, but still very nice.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jan 6, 2019 at 2:09pm PST
















View this post on Instagram



















Beautiful falls in a secret glen, on an unnamed creek.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jan 6, 2019 at 2:13pm PST
















View this post on Instagram



















Huge tulip poplar and some beech.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jan 6, 2019 at 2:28pm PST
















View this post on Instagram



















Hemlock woods.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jan 6, 2019 at 2:31pm PST



 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 08, 2019 14:36
No comments have been added yet.


Jeff Mitchell's Blog

Jeff Mitchell
Jeff Mitchell isn't a Goodreads Author (yet), but they do have a blog, so here are some recent posts imported from their feed.
Follow Jeff Mitchell's blog with rss.