Exploring Sullivan Mountain and Buck Run-Loyalsock State Forest

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Red is off trail.  Yellow follows old grades or forest roads.

Back in December I went on a hike to see an off trail falls near Sullivan Mountain in the Loyalsock State Forest, and to explore Buck Run. I wasn’t going to post the hike because my route involved a lot of backtracking. However, this isolated area has some unique beauty that I realized was worthy of sharing.

I parked at a small lot near where Yellow Dog and Ellenton Ridge Roads meet. I followed the forest road to the west, which was often wet. The road passed through a logged area, but then entered more scenic forests, spruce groves, and a mossy wetland with blood red pitcher plants. I soon reached the Old Loggers Path at Buck Run; I would return to this spot later in my hike. I followed the OLP for a short distance, but then turned left onto the Crandalltown Trail, an unblazed grade. This obvious grade took me across the OLP and I continued to the right onto another unmarked, obvious grade. This grade took me along some giant boulders. One was adorned with moss and had trees growing out of it.

The grade was a very nice hike as it traversed the southern edge of the plateau, passing small fern meadows. Through the trees I could see over Pleasant Stream’s valley. I loved the isolation of this route. I soon reached a small, unnamed stream. My bushwhack began.

I suspected there was a waterfall down this creek. The terrain was very steep and I soon came upon a rugged grotto and a scenic 40 foot falls. The top part of the falls was framed by cliffs of fractured rock. I continued down the steep gorge where there were more boulders and cascades, but no more falls. If hiking to the falls, I would not suggest going further downstream below the falls due to the rugged terrain. I made the arduous climb out of the gorge and retraced my steps back to Buck Run.

The next part of my hike was an off trail exploration of Buck Run. It is a very scenic stream. The gorge has many large boulders and cascades. As I descended, the creek became a gauntlet of boulders and rapids. There were countless cascades. Large cliffs then rose on the north side of the creek, creating an impressive gorge. Scars of landslides from recent floods appeared in places. While Buck Run doesn’t have the sizeable waterfalls, it is still a very scenic place. I hiked out of Buck Run by climbing to the top of the cliff; there were some partial views. I made my way up Buck Run, returned to the OLP, and retraced my steps to the car in twilight.

I hope to return to this area to explore the giant rocks and cliffs that cover the top of Sullivan Mountain’s plateau.

I parked at 41.523299, -76.869160.

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Big hemlocks along the Crandalltown Trail this morning.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 4:22pm PST

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On an unnamed trail off of the Old Loggers Path.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 4:29pm PST

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Another new falls, over 40 feet. Set in a deep grotto. This is southwest of Sullivan Mtn and the Old Loggers Path.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 4:47pm PST

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Waterfalls and huge conglomerate boulders on an unnamed tributary of Pleasant Stream.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 4:51pm PST

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Giant oak with some old chicken of the woods.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 4:58pm PST

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I then hiked down Buck Run, a wild, rugged creek filled with giant boulders and cascades.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 5:06pm PST

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This shows just how rugged Buck Run is, there are car sized boulders down there.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 5:10pm PST

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Down in the impressive gorge of Buck Run. An untamed place.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 23, 2018 at 5:14pm PST

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On the Old Loggers Path, a great 28 mile loop.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 24, 2018 at 6:39am PST