Waterfalls of Pond Eddy Creek-SGL 209

Damascus Forest Trail Hike to Gamble Run Vista-Mid State Trail

Waterfalls of Pond Eddy Creek-SGL 209

Bluestone Falls

Length: Various depending on where you park. About 6 miles from the bottom parking near the Delaware River. From the top, approx. 10-11 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate-difficult

Trail conditions: no trails are marked or blazed. Hike follows old grades, forest roads, and off trail routes.

Highlights: Waterfalls, cascades, rapids, lake, hemlock forest, remnants of bluestone and flagstone quarries.

Parking: This might be the trickiest thing about this hike. It is best to do this hike from the bottom, or near the Delaware River. However, parking is very limited. You can follow a narrow forest road a few hundred feet to the game commission parking area, which is small and not well developed. The road to it (for about 200 feet) is a little rugged. A vehicle with some clearance is recommended. It is located at approximately 41.428749, -74.824453. There is more parking from the top, but this requires a longer hike. There is a large lot at a gate at 41.400206, -74.830671. However, the road gets rugged going to it, a vehicle with clearance is recommended. There are places to pull off and park before that last lot.

Description: This hike is a hidden wonderland in the Poconos, featuring stunning waterfalls, a mountaintop lake, and extensive old quarries and rock piles when this area was quarried for bluestone and flagstone. This hike really isn’t that hard. The forest is fairly open and the bushwhacking is not difficult. You basically follow the creeks. This description is counterclockwise from the parking at the bottom near the Delaware River.

From the parking area, you will notice an old forest road above on the slope. Take it. It’s not really worth it to hike the creek. The road is obvious and makes a steady climb, cross some small side creeks, including one with an old stone culvert.

This is tricky, but look for an old atv trail or grade to the right, take it (brown route on map). (The more obvious grade you walked in on will be your return route. Yellow route on map.). You know you’re near it when you see a giant rock pile looming on the slope above you. If you can’t find it, don’t worry, just hike through the open woods, keeping Pond Eddy Creek below you on the right. Dip down into a side creek and reach Pond Eddy Creek at a slide and pool. There are many rapids. Go through some blowdowns and continue up the creek, a trail should be noticeable.

Tunnel through some hemlocks and round the bend. Pond Eddy Falls soon comes into view as it tumbles into a pool. It is a beautiful waterfall. It might be around 20-25 feet tall in total. Continue up the creek, you might notice an old atv trail or grade, follow it. There is also a lot of barberry. Look for stone ruins off to your left. After a level area, begin a slight climb as rapids announce themselves on the creek. Cross a sizeable side stream joins from the left, you will return to this spot.

Continue upstream with hemlocks and ledges. Listen for Bluestone Falls off to you right with hemlocks and rock ledges. This is a gorgeous falls and a beautiful setting. Enjoy it. Return to the side stream.

Hike off trail up the side stream, it is best to stay on the east side. Large ledges and cliffs rise on the other side. Enjoy the many cascades and smaller falls. It is rugged and very scenic. While you must hike up rocks, it is not difficult. Notice the Green Chasm, a narrow chasm with moss. It is hard to enter unless the water is low. Climb above the chasm and reach stunning Flagstone Falls, a massive cascading slide. In total, this falls might be close to a hundred feet tall. There are several drops and slides. It is cool to look down the falls as it disappears into the chasm. It is hard to believe this falls is seemingly unknown.

At the top, go through the lowbush blueberry, off trail, and reach an obvious forest road. Turn right to see the mountaintop lake, another incredible place. I saw a golden eagle here. It is like you’ve been transported to Maine or the Adirondacks. Return on the road. Follow the road until you reach an obvious grade to the left, this is your return route and the same grade you hiked in on. The descent is gradual, and the road is washed out in places. Pass large, old quarries and rock piles. Complete the loop and return to your car. This is such a beautiful hike.

If you come in from the south, the only difference is the long walk on the forest road, the same one that goes to the lake. Enjoy this beautiful place.