Hike to Wolf Swamp Run Falls and Deep Lake-SGL 38

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Hike to Wolf Swamp Run Falls and Deep Lake-SGL 38

Deep Lake

Length: Approx. 4.5 mile loop

Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Buswhack is steep.

Parking: 41.044702, -75.372675

Issues: You must be comfortable navigating and hiking unblazed trails. Bushwhack required to see the waterfalls, it is short and steep.

Highlights: Waterfalls, lakes, blueberries, azaleas and mountain laurel.

Description: This is a great loop to hike in the Poconos, located next to Big Pocono State Park. It features waterfalls and scenic lakes. The terrain is also forgiving. SGL 38 has a wide network of unblazed trails, typically used by mountain bikers. Since there are no blazes or signs, you must be comfortable navigating in this type of environment.

From the parking area, walk around the gate and reach a powerline swath. Turn right on the swath and hike down it a short distance. Keep an eye for a trail that goes into the woods to the left, follow it. This trail meanders through the forest with ferns and blueberries. The forest is mostly hardwoods. Reach Wolf Swamp Run. There is a seven foot falls below the trail and bedrock slide above it. Cross the run. If you want to see Wolf Swamp Run Falls, you must go off trail. It is best to hike on the north slope of the run, the brush isn’t too thick. Go down to the falls; the slope is steep. There are four drops that might be 40 feet high in total. The last drop is probably the most scenic, less than fifteen feet, but has a grotto of cliffs and rhododendron.

Back on the trail, hike from the creek and turn left onto a trail. Continue straight at the next intersection. Reach a forest road and turn left. The road goes near Deep Lake and you can hike down to the water. This lake is very beautiful, surrounded by meadows of blueberries with azaleas and mountain laurel. It must be amazing in the fall. We saw white and pink azaleas blooming.

Continue on the forest or jeep road. Turn left at the intersection. Pass beautiful Wolf Swamp Lake as it stretches into the forest. Climb a hill, veer left, and then continue straight on the road. Reach the end of the loop at the powerline and return to your car.

I look forward to exploring more of the trails at SGL 38. There are more lakes I’d like to see and I’m sure the fall colors are amazing here with the blueberry meadows.

PA Is beautiful. Explore it.

This map is for general directional purposes only and is not a GPS route. Red is off trail. Black are forest or jeep roads. Brown is established, unblazed trails. There are no signs or blazes.