Hike to Kelsey Falls-Loyalsock State Forest

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Yellow is a gated forest road.  Red is a bushwhack.  Blue is an old skid trail.


The Loyalsock State Forest is home to dozens of waterfalls. Some are well-known, others are virtually unknown. I recently went on a hike into a rugged gorge northwest of Worlds End State Park to see if such a falls existed. I parked at a pull off along Loyalsock Road and followed a forest road that was gated. The forest road crossed an area that had been logged. Where the road began to curve around to the right, I left the road to begin a bushwhack into a hemlock forest and down along some ledges.


I dropped down to a small stream that had carved a mini-glen with small cascades. I followed this creek down and entered a scenic area with several large car and truck sized boulders. The small creek flowed around some of them. I angled to the northwest and continued a moderate descent, crossed a seasonal run-off streambed, and came across a skid trail, marked by what looked like a shallow ditch that went straight down the mountain. These trails were used in the lumber era to skid or slide logs down to the valley.


The skid trail was fairly easy to follow as it descended into a beautiful hemlock forest. Off to my left was the deep, rugged gorge where I hoped to find a waterfall. The skid trail moved closer to the edge of the gorge as it continued its steep descent. Near the bottom, the skid trail crossed into private land, so I dropped down to my left. I soon reached the unnamed creek and a beautiful 20-25 foot falls set in a grotto. The falls featured some bedrock cascades, then a free fall, followed by a steep slide. It was a very photogenic falls and it was possible to walk behind the falls. The falls was in the state forest, although a private property line crossed downstream from it. It appeared no one really visited the falls as there were no signs of a path. I called it Kelsey Falls. The bright sun was less than ideal for photography, but this falls would be stunning with some long exposure shots.


There appeared to be no more waterfalls downstream. I retraced my steps back to my car. This hike is about 1.5 miles one way, and requires a 700 foot vertical descent down and back up the gorge. It is a scenic hike, but only experienced hikers should attempt it.  No trails are marked or blazed. Maybe someday a trail will be built from Forksville to the falls. It would make a nice tourist attraction for Forksville, and a much easier hike.


The falls are likely dry in summer. It is best to see it when the USGS Loyalsock Creek gauge is 3.5 feet or higher.


I parked at 41.487216, -76.588058 to begin the hike.  The falls are located at about 41.494702, -76.591438.














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Kelsey Falls. A new falls in the Loyalsock, located northwest of Worlds End State Park. About 25 feet in total height. You can go behind this falls. Located in a deep, rugged gorge.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Mar 23, 2019 at 3:04pm PDT
















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Kelsey Falls, Loyalsock State Forest.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Mar 23, 2019 at 3:08pm PDT
















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Kelsey Falls, Loyalsock State Forest.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Mar 23, 2019 at 4:22pm PDT
















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I climbed the steep gorge from Kelsey Falls and reached a forest with many giant boulders. Loyalsock State Forest.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Mar 23, 2019 at 4:27pm PDT
















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Trees and giant rocks. Loyalsock State Forest.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Mar 23, 2019 at 4:37pm PDT
















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Top of Kelsey Falls. Loyalsock State Forest.


A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Mar 25, 2019 at 8:54am PDT



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Published on March 26, 2019 14:55
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