Hike the Ketchum Run/Split Rock Loop-Loyalsock State Forest

Incredible rock formation

Length: About 4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Parking: The space is small, about two cars, three at most. Located at 41.439545, -76.625308

Trail conditions: Overall, pretty good. Some trails are unblazed but established. One section overgrown in summer.

Highlights: Waterfalls, cascades, glens, giant rocks, rock formations, meadows

Issues: This hike follows a variety of trails with turns.

Description: This is a great dayhike with several scenic highlights. It basically uses the Loyalsock Trail (LT) and red blazed bridle trail to make a loop, with side trails. From the parking pull off on High Knob Road, follow the Ketchum Run Trail on an old forest road. Turn left onto the Fern Rock Nature Trail, with yellow blazes and blue fern insignia. The nature trail goes along Ketchum Run with several cascades and small falls. Return to Ketchum Run Trail, turning left.

Reach a T intersection with other marked trails, go straight on an established unblazed trail along Ketchum Run. This is very scenic with two nice sized falls and smaller slides and cascades. Enjoy glens and grottos. This trail should be fairly easy to follow. This trail connects with the LT, turn left onto the LT.

The LT has rolling terrain with nice forests, crosses a small creek, and makes a moderate climb. Reach the giant outcrops at Split Rock, take time to explore the chasms and caves. If facing the rock, go off trail to the left side (or west) for a few hundred feet. There is a 40-50 foot deep cave/chasm and an incredible rock formation.

Continue on the LT on an old forest road until the LT makes a distinct right turn. Continue straight on the old road, it is unblazed but there is a trail. This stretch can be overgrown in summer. Reach a large gravel camping site. Turn left onto Nettle Ridge Rd, a gated forest road and part of the red blazed bridle trail.

This trail was grassy, but not overgrown. Hike along a series of meadows with pine and spruce. Meadows aren’t very common in the Loyalsock so this is a nice treat. Watch where the trail makes a sharp right, it is easy to go straight. Descend and reach a wide old forest road at campsite 711. Walk out to High Knob Road, turn left on the road and return to your car.

Purple dots are the route. Green is Fern Rock Nature Trail. Red is bridle trail. Red/yellow is LT. Solid brown are unblazed but established trails. Brown dashed are other blazed trails. Blue dots are falls and cascades. Black dots are rocks and rock formations. Locations are approximate.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch)