Hike to Wildcat Falls-Back Mountain Trail

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Hike to Wildcat Falls-Back Mountain Trail

Wildcat Falls

Length: Approx. 1.5 miles, one way

Difficulty: Easy. The unblazed trail up along the falls is steeper and more rugged.

Parking: 41.302392, -75.927850. Park near a fire station and district court, do not park in assigned spaces.

Highlights: Waterfalls, views, wildflowers, historic remnants along the Back Mountain Trail

Description: This is an easy hike to beautiful Wildcat Falls. This hike follows the Back Mountain Trail, an unblazed rail trail that is easy to follow. The terrain is nearly level. Expect noise from the nearby highway.

From the parking area, climb the steps to the trail and follow it. There are some benches and old metal tanks that are rusting, likely used when the trains used the trail you are now walking. As you hike, the views open up and there are wildflowers. The views aren’t spectacular as they simply look across the highway, but they are nice nonetheless. Reach a footbridge and look up to your left to see Wildcat Falls. The falls plummet over a series of cascades and ledges. There are large boulders. The falls are very scenic, but they are best seen after a good rain since the creek is small. In summer, the falls are often dry.

To see more of the falls, follow an unblazed trail on the west side of the creek. Enjoy the scenery. This trail is steeper and more rugged. There are many cascades. I stopped at a powerline swath, but I believe there are more bedrock slides above.

Return the way you came. This is a great, short waterfall hike. It is surprising how much beauty surrounds Wilkes Barre and Scranton.

Back Mountain Trail

Green is the Back Mountain Trail. It has signs but no blazes, it is easy to follow. Brown is the unblazed trail along Wildcat Falls, it is more rugged and steeper.

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