HIKING IN RICKETTS GLEN STATE PARK
Last weekend we had
TER
But lest I get ahead of myself, here's the skinny on Ricketts Glen SP:
- It composes some 13,000 acres
- Named after Col. Robert Bruce Ricketts who led Battery F during the Battle of Gettysburg
- Has 22 waterfalls, the highest is Ganoga Falls towering at 94 feetTrails hugging the waterfalls loop around to about 7 miles
- It was *originally* approved to become a National Park in the 1930s, but never materialized due to WWII
- You can rent a cabin there ( mmmmmm SMORES!)
- I love this State Park!
The hike we took was one big loop. To be honest? I felt like I was hiking the Rosary. The shape of the hike kind of looks like one. We hiked an "extra part" just below where the streams merge to check out 3 extra waterfalls. Then on the trip back, we hiked along the other stream.
You remember my friend, Diane Lee, right? This is one of her favorite hikes on the planet (trumping some in Chile!) She prefers to do the hike the way we did it (in a clockwise fashion from our parking area at Lake Rose - see map) because the best waterfalls (includi
ng the tallest one) are viewed while you are approaching them (instead of having to constantly turn over your shoulder to look at them while you hike.)Our hike was just about 4 miles. But sugar britches! Let me tell you -- it wasn't a FLAT 4 miles for sure! When we hiked down, we were sure to hike up the same amount on the other side. But it was FANTASTIC ! ! Ben pointed out that his favorite thing was that it was a nice SHADED hike. I agree. I like how they built stone staircases along the waterfalls.
Even better, Diane's boyfriend, Kenny, is a GEOLOGIST! We had a geologist AND meteorologist along for the hike. GROUND and SKY? We had it covered. I enjoy hiking with any type of scientist. Last year, Ben and I hiked in Shenandoah NP and we were fortunate to have a biologist with us. So every ani
mal ( SNAKE!) was easily identified with just the right amount of science explanation to go with it.
Kenny was explaining the different strata of rocky layers we were encountering as we got deeper into the falls. The stuff he knows? Certainly not ROCKS FOR JOCKS.
"My favorite is the top formation of the conglomerate which I believe is the Poconos."
I actually have video of him saying that and more, BUT, big BAD Blogger is being hyper-sensitive and not letting me upload it. WHATEVER!
WHAT? Ricketts Glen State Park
WHERE? Benton, PA
HOW MUCH? Moulah? -- IT'S FREE!
HOW FAR? 222 Miles From DC
posted by My Bio @ 10:10 PM
4 Comments:
Hi Kim! That park looks beautiful! We love to do outings like that with our sons and we'll have to check that one out! You guys should try Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, Maryland if you haven't. We've been there in the summer when you can swim in the river and in the winter when you have to trudge in a foot of snow to get to the falls! It has a nice path too that is shaded for the most part. Narmeen
Thanks Girlfriend - I'll have to check it out! This part of the country has so many great state parks within a reasonable drive; I'd love to hear more ideas...
Have a gret weekend and a Happy Mothers Day!
Thank you, Kim for the Mother's Day wishes! Definately check out the park and we will do the same with yours! We've also taken day trips to Washington County , MD (closer for us, and really close for you!) and gone to a couple of the parks there as well. We love being in Western Maryland! Have a great weekend! Narmeen
I carried a body up by there once. People just stroll into the park in sneakers, and plop, off the falls they go. Carry people out often. In fact, I live only 10NMi. from the park and I have NEVER been there for recreation.. Just rescues. That's it. I spend so much time doing such things, that the park is useless for it's intended purpose.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home