Exploring the East Balds of Bartlett Mountain-SGL 57

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The unique Bartlett Mountain Balds have become a destination for experienced hikers.  However, to the east are another series of balds, creatively called the East Balds.  The East Balds are not as large as the Bartlett Mountain Balds, but they have more exposed bedrock and spruce.  As is typical for SGL 57, there are also caves, chasms, and boulder jumbles along the cliff rim.  One of the unique features of the East Balds is the Slanted Cave.  
I had hiked some of the East Balds years ago, but I couldn’t remember much about that hike.  On this hike, I wasn’t expecting much.  It turns out I was blown away by the beauty; I love hike like that.  The East Balds easily rival the Bartlett Mountain Balds for beauty.  There is so much amazing scenery in SGL 57.

Park at White Brook, veer right into the woods, hike west to a mowed area along some cabins (this is still gamelands), hike straight up through pines with a steep climb.  Leave the pines, level off and veer left onto an old grade going up the mountain.  Veer right off the grade, taking a ridge down and across White Brook, and follow the grades as indicated on the map above.  At the top of the plateau, you will want to go off trail, heading north along rock outcrops, spruce groves, and fern meadows.  Reach the first part of the East Balds at 41.511090, -76.158543 with spruce.  Head north, through spruce, and then cross a fern meadow.  Here, notice the Orange Dot Trail, which appears to be a hunter’s trail marked with small reflective orange dots. It still appears to be used.  Continue north where the East Balds (41.513460, -76.157653) resume in impressive fashion with large areas of exposed bedrock, spruce, chasms, moss, and lichens with psychedelic colors.  

Take time to explore these balds as the beauty is impressive, as is the isolation.  Along the eastern edge are rock outcrops, caves, overhangs and chasms that are worth exploring.  Continue to 41.515151, -76.159097 to where there is a wetland with cottongrass blooms in early Fall.  Continue northwest along the balds to the Slanted Cave, located at about 41.516065, -76.159977 where there are impressive chasms, rock blocks, and a narrow slanted cave that ends in a dead end chasm.  

Continue northwest, but the balds decrease in size and the spruce begins to take over.  Turn around at about 41.516354, -76.160868 and retrace your steps back down the mountain.  Or you can continue your hike to the Bartlett Mountain Balds via the Orange Dot Trail.  Do a double header-why not?

Hikers who visit Bartlett Mountain are stunned by its beauty and isolation.  Some have compared it to the Adirondacks or New England.  It is a remarkably special place and I hope someday it will be protected for future generations.  You know there’s something there when hikers from Maryland and Ohio start showing up.  The East Balds, along with the Bartlett Mountain Balds, illustrate the stunning scenery that few would expect to find in Pennsylvania.  As always, treat this special place with respect and pick up any litter you may find.

Park at 41.496515, -76.132045.

For the map above, red is off trail.  Yellow are old grades that may be washed out at stream crossings.  For the red crossing of White Brook, use the ridge at 41.497574, -76.140553 to descend.  White Brook has a lot of steep slopes and flood washouts creating landslides.  There are no signs and no trails have blazes.  This hike is best for experienced hikers.  A GPS or navigation aid is recommended. This hike is about 4 miles, one way.

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Exploring the East Balds on Bartlett Mountain, SGL 57. In some places there were psychedelic colors from the lichens, moss, and other vegetation.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Jan 8, 2020 at 6:48pm PST

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Explored the East Balds on a moody day. These are a series of balds east of the Bartlett Mtn Balds, and they are just as impressive. Big bedrock slabs, chasms, caves, carpets of moss and lichen, and red spruce. Boreal wonderland. SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 29, 2019 at 12:04pm PST

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Moss chasms, East Balds, SGL 57. The bedrock was riddled with crevices, chasms, and caves.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 29, 2019 at 12:21pm PST

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East Balds, SGL 57. We saw large rocks turned over by bears. Misty wilderness.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 29, 2019 at 1:22pm PST

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SGL 57 has two worlds, one above and below the ledges. Below the East Balds we explored mazes, chasms, and giant boulders coated with moss and lichens, dripping with mountain juice. A different world.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 29, 2019 at 1:31pm PST

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The wonders of the East Balds soon revealed the Slanted Cave, a remarkable cave and chasm we were able to enter. SGL 57.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Dec 29, 2019 at 1:42pm PST