Hike to the Caves of the Porcupines and Plateau Grotto-SGL 57

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Hike to the Caves of the Porcupines and Plateau Grotto-SGL 57

The Caves of the Porcupines

Length: Various depending on where you start, from Windy Valley Road (Kasson Brook on map) you can expect to hike over 13 miles if you go all the way to Atkinson Falls. The hike is shorter if you start from the parking area at 57-35C on the map.

Difficulty: Moderate, but rocky and rugged near the caves, grottos and rock formations, and down to Atkinson Falls. Watch your step exploring the tops of these formations, it is best to explore from the bottom.

Parking: 41.473831, -76.142578 at Windy Valley Rd, or Kasson Brook on map. This is year-round access, although the parking area is not plowed. 41.418136, -76.163697 is a closer access (57-35C on map) but is at the end of a gated road, only open during hunting season. This road is inaccessible if there is snow or ice, and a vehicle with clearance is recommended.

Highlights: Waterfalls, cascades, large rocks, rock formations, caves.

Trail conditions: Henry Lott Road is gated, easy to follow, and gradual. There are no marked trails. Other than the road, all hiking is off trail.

Description: Pennsylvania is such a beautiful state with so many hidden wonders and SGL 57 is one of its crown jewels. I’ve walked by these places a half dozen times before finding them. This hike features superb rock formations and features, waterfalls, cascades, and isolation. If you love rock features, you’ll want to explore this place. I do not describe a specific route, that is up to you, but I will go over the features.

Atkinson Falls and the Countless Cascades is an impressive spot when there is strong flow. The cascades are truly worthwhile under those conditions, with nonstop cascades bouncing from the large rocks. The falls are in a glen with large boulders, and features a side falls in high water. Somer Brook Falls was not included on this hike, but is definitely worthwhile, being one of the tallest falls in the Endless Mountains.

The highlights are the Plateau Grotto and the Caves of the Porcupines. The grotto is a boulder city with cliffs and many chasms, small caves, and passageways. It is such a great place to explore with moss, ferns, and trees growing out of the rocks.

A few hundred feet to the north are the Caves of the Porcupines, which will require you to look around a little bit to find them. There are two caves, one is about 50 feet long and 15 feet tall, the other is about 80 feet long and 40 feet tall. They are not limestone caves, but tectonic caves, formed by the separation of the bedrock. The two caves are very close to each other. A dark hole is an entrance to the 50ish foot cave, so watch your step, you will hike on top of it to get to the 80ish foot cave. The caves are visited by porcupines, hence the name. You will want to look for the caves from the bottom of the rock outcrops and ledges, not the top. Be careful exploring this area.

Arch Rock and cave are a cool spot. The rock is a stack or pedestal of boulders, forming an arch with a cliff. Nearby is a slot cave, maybe 30 feet deep.

Enjoy this beautiful area, one of many in SGL 57.

Black dots are cliffs, ledges, caves, rock formations. Blue are waterfalls, light blue cascades. Pink is section to hike on Henry Lott Rd, but is not blazed that way. Locations are approximate, you will need to look around to find them. Terrain is rocky and rugged.

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Published on January 07, 2025 19:11

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