Waterfalls of Winter- TR

“This weekend I spent in the Loyalsock State Forest, checking out more trails and seeing places I haven't in a while. The weather was warm and overcast, with mist in the air. On Saturday, there was still quite a bit of snow on the ground and made for some tough hiking without snowshoes. I began at the Fern Rock Trailhead and followed some x-country ski trails to a series of bogs that were spooky but also very cool. I then followed a trail to Mineral Springs Falls and its namesake just downstream- Mineral Spring. A climbed over the plateau with some views and a rock shelter and meadered through thick hemlocks to complete the hike.

Sunday was warmer, and even mistier- everything seemed to protrude water and the creeks were running well with all the melting snow. I went to Hoaglands Branch and Swamp Run. Swamp Run may sound boring, but its a waterfall wonder with many cascades and falls. I first hiked this many years ago and haven't been back since. I bushwhacked up to Emerald Falls, a 20 footer so named because in summer, it is in an incredible green grotto. Upstream are more beautiful cascades. It began to drizzle, but it soon passed. Next up is a long slide that is very smooth, and would probably be fine to slide down in summer. Further is Triple Falls (or Four Falls if you count a smaller downstream falls)- a very beautiful spot with three falls in a tight chasm that drop a total of 50-60 feet. The skies began to break revealing a deep blue sky. I returned to Hoaglands Branch, the water was rising and there were some nice rapids. In summer, this creek has superb swimming holes.

Pics:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/569411060sIzWSg?vhost=outdoors&start=0”

“Thanks for the TR. I've been hoping to hike that area for a while. I have a dvd called "Doc on the Soc" by Lynne Weldon a documentary about a burned out ER doctor taking his first ever bckpng trip on the Loyalsock trail. Touching and inspiring, and I've wanted to check out that area ever since.”

“I've only seen it in warm weather. Just as beautiful in the snow.

Thanks jmitch.”

“Nice report Jmitch, thanks. Nices pictures too. Looks like there was a decent snowpack out there.”

“Tough hiking with the wet snow, my legs were sore.

Sunny, I'd like to see that dvd.”

“jmitch, YGM”

“That's a very impressive bacterial mat oozing out of the seep in shot #7. I like it.”

“i'd like to see that dvd too”