Return to Ricketts Glen-Hiking the Falls Trail

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Ricketts Glen is where I started hiking, years ago.  Back then I was working two jobs, had no money, and found myself with an afternoon and nothing to do.  Since I needed to find something inexpensive, I decided to check out Ricketts Glen, not quite knowing what to expect.  I hiked up the Falls Trail and saw waterfall after waterfall.  I couldn’t believe a place so beautiful was so close to home.  I went back home, opened a map to look for my next destination.  A few weeks later I went to Worlds End State Park.

I haven’t stopped since.

As the years passed, I’ve spent less time at Ricketts Glen.  Years have gone by without me setting foot on the Falls Trail.  I guess I’ve changed, and so has Ricketts Glen.  Ricketts Glen has become a national, if not international, destination.  The park now sees tour buses and throngs of people hike the iconic Falls Trail.  I’ve turned to hiking off trail and seeing the state’s hidden beauty.

I returned this summer to hike the Falls Trail during an evening after work.  The conditions were perfect.  Lots of water in the creek, cool temperatures, no bugs, bright sun and no crowds.  I did see cars from Texas, Michigan, and Quebec, illustrating the reputation of this remarkable park.  

We parked at the Lake Rose parking area and soon hiked the trail under hemlocks.  Moss covered rocks adorned the forest floor.  We veered left onto the Highland Trail and enjoyed the giant rocks at the Midway Crevasse.  The trail descended and we passed a family of hikers speaking Russian.  The trail reached Glen Leigh where we turned right.  I love Glen Leigh due to its stunning scenery and how close the trail is to the waterfalls.  The numerous waterfalls were so beautiful.  Giant trees rose through the canopy as the sunlight shone on moss and lichens.  Despite it being a weeknight, we still passed several hikers, although the trail was not crowded.

We reached Waters Meet and headed downstream to see the three falls ending at Murray Reynolds.  We then returned to Waters Meet.

I was hiking with a man from Oregon, who often hikes to the waterfalls in the famous Columbia River Gorge.  He was thoroughly impressed by Ricketts Glen.  He exclaimed that everywhere he looked, there was a waterfall.

We made our way up Ganoga Glen to enjoy the waterfalls and deep gorges.  We took a break at deafening Ganoga Falls, almost 100 feet tall, as it roared down a precipice.  We continued our climb as the sun set, casting the gorge in twilight.  Falls seemed to dance through the trees.  The aroma of the water and deep hemlock forests was intoxicating.

 
We reached the car and drove to Lake Jean as the sun set, casting the skies into colors of amber and gold.

 
I will always return to Ricketts Glen from time to time.  It is truly one of nature’s great cathedrals.

We parked at 41.329862, -76.290824.

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Shawnee Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 30, 2019 at 1:09pm PDT

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Ozone Falls, one of my favorite views at Ricketts Glen. Despite it being Monday evening, there were still some people on the trails and cars from Michigan, Texas, and Quebec. Flow was excellent.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 30, 2019 at 1:12pm PDT

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R.B. Ricketts Falls, a beauty. Although I don't hike much here anymore, Ricketts Glen is where I started. Always good to return to a classic.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 30, 2019 at 2:41pm PDT

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Behind the dripping springs of R.B. Ricketts Falls. Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 30, 2019 at 2:46pm PDT

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Harrison Wright Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 1:04pm PDT

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Hard to beat Ricketts Glen State Park on an evening like this.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 5:24pm PDT

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The trail up Ganoga Glen, Ricketts Glen State Park. Waterfalls everywhere you look.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 5:26pm PDT

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Mighty Ganoga Falls, the tallest in Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 5:29pm PDT

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Despite its modest height, Oneida Falls is one of the most picturesque at Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 5:40pm PDT

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Waterfalls through the forest. Mohawk Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 6:02pm PDT

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Lake Jean sunset, Ricketts Glen State Park. So many beautiful places in NEPA.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jul 31, 2019 at 6:04pm PDT

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Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Sep 10, 2019 at 5:46pm PDT

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Harrison Wright Falls, Ricketts Glen State Park.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Sep 13, 2019 at 3:34pm PDT