Hike to Wanamie Falls-Pinchot State Forest

Wanamie Falls from the rock outcrop.

Length: About .6 mile, one way.

Trail conditions: Good. No trail to the base of the falls.

Blazes: None

Highlights: Meadows, wildflowers, waterfall, rock outcrop

Issues: No trail to the bottom of the falls, need to scramble down

Parking: A lot is located at 41.175630, -76.026584.

Level of challenge: Easy, except if you try to go to the bottom of the falls.

Description: This is a very short hike to a surprisingly beautiful waterfall. Despite this region being extensively mined in the past, it still holds places of great beauty. This hike is on the Penobscot Ridge Mountain Bike Trail, which really follows jeep or atv trails. This hike is on the Wanamie Tract of the Pinchot State Forest.

From the parking area, simply follow the trail up through meadows that must be beautiful in summer. Cross over Reservoir Creek and continue a gradual climb. Meadows are off the the left, while a gorge with trees is on the right. Enter the woods and the trail crosses the creek on a footbridge above the falls. You can hike to an impressive buttress of rock on the west bank to see the falls from above.

To get to the bottom of the falls, it is best to descend on the east side as it is less steep than the west. There is no trail. Wanamie Falls has three drops, all total it is about forty feet tall. The buttress of rock enhances the scenery. Retrace your steps.

I hiked a little more of the Penobscot Ridge Mountain Bike Trail but it seemed to be primarily a rutted atv trail, so I turned around.

To see a beautiful falls with a short hike, it doesn’t get much better than Wanamie Falls.

Red is off trail route to the bottom of the falls.

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