Realm of Rocks (and Waterfalls!)-SGL 57

Ketchum Run/Alpine Vista Loop-Loyalso... Waterfalls of Rock Run-SGL 13

Realm of Rocks (and Waterfalls!)-SGL 57

Pogo Stick Rock

Access: There is parking at 41.413005, -76.164302, however, this road is only open during fall and spring hunting seasons. You can also access via the old Meat Trail from Windy Valley Road, parking is at 41.461493, -76.172896. A trail sign used to be there, it might be gone now. The Meat Trail is faint, and crosses the Mehoopany Creek without a bridge, do not cross in high water. A vehicle with clearance is recommended for these roads.

Highlights: Incredible rock outcrops and formations, mazes, waterfalls, cascades.

Trail conditions: This is an off trail hike, except for the gated game commission roads. Thankfully, on my hikes, the brush was not bad, other than saplings. There is little mountain laurel. The gated road on top of the plateau has wet and boggy areas. Only experienced hikers comfortable with off trail hiking should attempt. Use a navigation device.

Difficulty: Difficult due to rugged terrain and extensive off trail hiking.

Route: the route is up to you, as a result, I did not include mileage. You can expect to hike from 10-20 miles.

Description: I’ve been exploring SGL 57 for almost 20 years and I’m still finding incredible places. This hike is one of the most remarkable I’ve done. I did it over two hikes. The first hike I used the gated road and explored Beech Brook, Birch Brook, and Mehoopany Creek. The second I explored the Realm of Rocks, a cliff escarpment. I gave these places names only to differentiate them. I don’t care if they end up being called something else.

I’ve long wanted to explore the isolated plateau west of Somer Brook. I finally did, and it blew me away,

Beech Brook is a scenic seasonal creek with about four falls and cascades, the tallest is about 15 feet tall. There are falls all the way down to Mehoopany Creek. It is worth exploring if flowing well.

Mehoopany Creek has a very beautiful slide and pool that is a must see.

Birch Brook has many cascades and two notable falls, over twenty feet tall. There are large boulders at the top.

Nearby is the incredibly beautiful and rugged gorge of Somer Brook and the stunning Somer Brook Falls.

The escarpment, or the Realm of Rocks, noted by the black dots on the map, is impressive. Thankfully there is no thick brush, other than saplings, although the terrain is rugged. The route follows the top escarpment of the plateau. If you love rocks, this is the place for you. There is no other place like it in PA, with rock features for miles. There are huge overhangs, chasms, caves, grottos, and boulder cities clothed in moss. I loved all of it. Chameleon Rock is very interesting, with a huge “arm” of rock with the profile of a chameleon. My favorite spot is the Moss Maze, an amazing maze with giant mossy boulders. I also loved Black Birch Maze and Lost World Rocks. Portal Rock is in Lost World Rocks.

As you hike the west side of the escarpment above Mehoopany Creek, the rocks have less moss, but become bigger. High Knob Rocks is named after the former High Knob Trail which went near the top of them. If you look around for it in High Knob Rocks, you might find the most impressive rock formation, Pogo Stick Rock, discovered by Theresa Stuber. This rock formation defies gravity.

Next are Fortress Rocks with huge overhangs and walls.

We also hiked down Boulder Brook with its assortment of falls and cascades. It is a rugged gorge with nonstop cascades, and boulders. The scramble up the south branch was a lot of fun with large boulders and non stop falls.

This is an amazing place, the perfect hike on a cloudy day when the moss becomes so deep and green. PA is a beautiful state, explore it.

Blue dots are cascades and waterfalls. Black dots are rock formations and features. Meat Trail is very faint and is cut off on this map. Locations are approximate, this is not a gps track. This map is for general directional purposes only. Hike at your own risk. This area is isolated and rugged.

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Published on May 20, 2024 16:18

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