Hike the Porcupine Cliffs Loop: Merli-Sarnoksi County Park

Length: About 5 miles

Parking: At the boat launch. 41.589581, -75.537657

Trail conditions: Trails are well established, and most trail junctures have signs. Blazing is infrequent. Must keep an eye out for turns. Trails tend to be curvy. Navigation can be tricky for some hikers, so download the trail map on the Gaia app, using the QR code on the maps in the park.

Highlights: Scenic hardwood forests, fern glades, small cascades and waterfalls, rock outcrops and ledges, Porcupine Cliffs, wetlands, views when the leaves are off the trees.

Direction of description: This lollipop loop is described counterclockwise.

Difficulty: Moderate and hilly. The trail is near cliffs and ledges. If you want, you need to go off trail to explore the base of the Porcupine Cliffs and that can be steep.

Description: This loop is a dayhiking gem. I was impressed by its scenery, diversity, and beauty. Merli-Sarnoski is primarily known for its mountain biking, but there are some great hiking opportunities here as well. And this loop is one you should check out.

From the parking area, which is also the boat launch, follow an obvious unblazed trail uphill that goes away from the lake. Veer right at the sign for Twister and reach the glen of a small creek with ledges and small waterfalls. I think this is now the Zipline Trail, and it meanders up through a beautiful hardwood forest with fern glades. Reach a T intersection and go right as the trail levels. Big ledges come into view. Reach the Porcupine Cliffs Trail, go right. Descend to the top of cliffs and ledges, enter hemlocks, and enjoy the rock features. It’s a gorgeous trail. If you want to see the base of the cliffs, you must go off trail and find a break in the cliffs and descend. It is steep. But the cliffs are stunning from below, with towering overhangs. Wow.

Back on the Porcupine Cliffs Trail, it wraps around and joins Twister. (Pro tip: hike the Porcupine Cliffs Trail when the leaves are off the trees, when the sun is setting, it must be incredible). Turn right on Twister as it meanders through scenic woodlands with fern meadows and even vivid green grass meadows. Skirt wetlands and hike along ledges. This is a scenic, fun trail. Enter laurel and hike past the top of the falls you passed earlier. Descend and complete the loop. Turn right to hike back to the car.

Again, the trails are well established, but curvy with various intersections, so the Gaia app is recommended to navigate. While here, you can hike a loop around the lake, it is beautiful. Merli-Sarnoski is just another example of all the beauty that surrounds the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area.

Pinkish dots are my route, trail is not marked that color. Black dots along Porcupine Cliffs Trail are the larger cliffs and ledges. Blue dots are small falls and cascades. Locations are approximate. Base map is from the park.

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