Falls of Falls Creek (TR w/ pics)

“I first “discovered” Falls Creek about six years ago. Its name caught my attention on a game lands map, and having no idea what it offered, I decided to hike up the creek. With a name like “Falls”, I thought, it had to be good. And it was. Pennsylvania has many hidden gems that have escaped the attention of the public, and Falls Creek is surely one of them.

This weekend I returned under warm sunshine and high flows thanks to the rain from the day before. No trail follows the creek, so you need to make your own way. We hiked up this spectacular glen with countless waterfalls and cascades. Violets and trilliums blanketed the forest floor. Wet moss and lichens clung to giant boulders.

We reached Bradford Falls, an impressive cataract of about 70-80 feet high. A strong jet of mist rocketed from the base of the falls. The roar was incredible. A tough scramble to the top offered another falls, about 20-30 feet high. Above here, the creek funnels through a slot gorge, and with the high water, we did not enter. We reached the top of the glen at an abandoned mine shaft and two more waterfalls. I crawled behind the upper most falls, Laquin Falls.

We returned to the car and hiked to Little Schrader Creek, near the site of Laquin. Laquin used to be home to 2,000 people during the timber era, with stores, theaters, mills, and industry. Now it is nothing more than old fields and a few hunting cabins. We hiked up the creek along the overgrown grade of a narrow gauge railroad. This grade was held in place by massive rock retaining walls, that were still largely intact. The cascades, chutes, deep pools, and gorge were very beautiful.


http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/563458570BlaNZS?vhost=outdoors”

“Is this in SGL 36, Franklin Twp., northeast of Barclay Station? From what source did you discover the names of the falls? Is it affected by AMD?”

“Lovely jmitch, thank you. Beautiful day for it too.”

“Wow! Nice shots, Jeff. I know where Laquin is.”

“Pete,

That be it, there is AMD. As for the names, I'm the source, for the sake of delinieating them, I couldn't find any other official names.

MSilver,

this is surely a place you should check out.”

“Thanks as always for the great pixs and discoveries! Ya oughta get a few of these filled out someday ;) http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/name_form.htm”

“If you like to ride bikes, one of the finest unknown bike trails in PA is between Laquin and Wheelerville. Follows an old rr grade through the game lands. Great opportunities for bird watching and wildlife, beautiful streams.”

“Is that the same RR that went to Masten? (Private land in between though...)”

“Yes, the S&NY railroad.”