Hike to Twin Sisters Vista-Hammersley Meadows (Susquehannock State Forest)

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This is an easy to moderate hike that leads to spectacular mountaintop meadows and beautiful views across the Hammersley Wild Area.  This is a truly unique place in Pennsylvania.  The hike is about 2.5 miles one way.  

From Red Ridge Road, follow the yellow blazed trail; you’ll also notice new orange blazes.  The terrain is hilly as the trail goes through hemlock groves and under forests of some huge hardwoods.  It is a beautiful forest hike.  The trail crosses the side of the valleys and gorges, allowing you to look down through the open forests with glades of ferns.  In one place, the trail follows an old grade with original stonework.  

Reach a sign indicating the meadows were created by a fire in the 1960s.  The trail crosses what I call the north meadow.  Enjoy the stunning views, with the ridges, knobs, and peaks over deep gorges and valleys.  In the valley below is the Susquehannock Trail.  The trail continues across the north meadow and then reaches the corner of the south meadow before entering the woods.  The Twin Sisters Trail continues south and eventually meets the Susquehannock Trail.

I suggest you go off trail to explore both meadows (red on the map).  I really enjoy the expansive views from the south meadow, which is an ideal place for sunsets.  In spring, you will see many painted trilliums growing in the meadow.  For the north meadow, climb to the top for 30-40 mile views.  Keep in mind that pickers grow in parts of the north meadow.  If you want more of an adventure, descend along the northern edge of the north meadow along a ridge to more meadows with views down the canyon of Hammersley Fork.

This is a place where you will want to linger and enjoy.  On our visit, some people were camping at the meadows and I was a little bit jealous.  Beautiful clouds swept across the horizon and I could see distant rainstorms drifting across the wild area.

The Hammersley Wild Area is a special place, a sanctuary in Northern Appalachia.  Explore and enjoy it.  

Parking is at 41.572678, -77.847954.  Red Ridge and Windfall Roads are in good shape.  Avoid McConnell Road as sections are in poor shape.  

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Hammersley Meadows along the Twin Sisters Trail. Stunning mountaintop meadows that look over the wild area with its rolling ridges and deep hollows. Probably the finest wilderness in Northern Appalachia. A truly special place.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 23, 2020 at 6:27pm PDT

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View from the south meadow, Twin Sisters Trail, Hammersley Wild Area. Perfect for sunsets. Susquehannock State Forest.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 24, 2020 at 4:12pm PDT

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The Twin Sisters Trail to the Hammersley Meadows is beautiful, featuring giant hardwoods, hemlock groves, and views down into the forested gorges. Hammersley Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 25, 2020 at 9:53am PDT

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Twin Sisters Trail at the meadows. Hammersley Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 25, 2020 at 9:56am PDT

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Spectacular views from the Hammersley Meadows, Twin Sisters Trail, Hammersley Wild Area. Some trees had silvery new foliage, creating a surreal sight. There were also many painted trilliums growing in the meadows. Susquehannock State Forest.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 25, 2020 at 10:22am PDT

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View from the top of the north meadow. You can see for 30 to 40 miles. Twin Sisters Trail, Hammersley Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 25, 2020 at 11:09am PDT

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Views from the top of the north meadow. Twin Sisters Trail, Hammersley Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 25, 2020 at 12:12pm PDT

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First video is from the south meadow, just off the Twin Sisters Trail. The second video is of the north meadow from the Twin Sisters Trail. Hopefully the proposed PA Wilds Trail will pass through here. Hammersley Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 25, 2020 at 1:14pm PDT

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Hammersley Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on May 27, 2020 at 5:49pm PDT