Into the Wilderness of a Waterfall Wonde rland

“It was about seven years ago that I first hiked this incredible place. DeLorme's noted a couple of falls deep in SGL 13, so I decided to check it out. I had little idea what I was in for- deep gorges, falls after falls, bedrock scoured by chutes and slides, a deep forest with ferns. It has remained special to me ever since.

With no trails, I had to bushwhack along the streams. Eventually, I gave up trying to keep my feet dry and began to hike in the water. And i nearly killed myself descending Sullivan Branch.

This weekend I decided to return. The weather was warm and very humid, overcast with the threat of rain. Mist hung in the gorges. I hope to do the whole circuit (up Heberly and down Sullivan Branch). I proceeded up Heberly, but it was slow going with passing showers. The terrain was slippery, and it was treacherous in places. I knew I wouldn't finish the circuit, especially since I got a late start.

I sat in awe of Big Falls, not a massive falls, but it is in an incredible grotto with cascading springs. Above, the creek is very beautiful with deep bedrock pools and chutes, and a staircase of ledges. Next was Twin Falls, and further up, sublime Lewis Falls. As I sat at this falls, a kingfisher flew up and circled the grotto before resting on a ledge near me; I sat still; it circled again before disappearing down the gorge.

The conditions made it tough taking pictures, but I tried my best. Conditions were dark and misty in the gorges. Tons of fungus everywhere.

I decided to hike up the plateau, thinking that I might do the circuit, but then I got sidetracked. I decided to visit a special, secret place- where Shanty and Quinn Runs meet. I was there once before. It was a joy to be back- a series of moss covered falls dropped into a deep pool, as Shanty Run emerged from its emerald glen to join just above the last cascade. The surrounding hemlocks were large, probably old growth. I decided to bushwhack up Quinn Run. I entered a mini-glen with moss-covered bedrock slides and a series of waterfalls. Conditions were very dark. Simply beautiful.

Since I spent so much time going up Quinn Run, there was no way for me to do the circuit, and storms were approaching. The atmosphere was crazed- peaks of sun intermingled with downpours. I was wet, sweaty, and tired. I decided to return back to the car as I plotted my return to Sullivan Branch...

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/573755871RouznQ?vhost=outdoors&start=0”

“What a beautiful place, they could shoot the next Lord of the Rings sequel there?”

“Awesome pics, Jmitch! Thanks for sharing. Sent my mind to a beautiful place just looking at them!”

“Outstanding! Thanks for sharing those.”

“Must be a great place. Thanks jmitch.”

“Dude, that's a swimmer's paradise!”

“VERY nice!!!!!!.......where is this???..reminds me of Sipsey Wilderness in Alabama!!!

...beautiful...thanks for sharing!!!!”

“beautiful & great pics!
like Div asked...where is this place?!”

“Thanks everyone. It's in PA. The pics you've seen isn't even half of what this hike offers.

I need to take Spindle there, when I do would anyone else like to join? It's a buttkicker, but worth every step.

NG- it is a swimmer's paradise, out of this world swimming holes. My favorite is the one on Quinn Run, very secluded, very beautiful, at the foot of a series of cascades. Chilly water.”

“Great pics and report. That looks like the hike we took several years ago. I'd go back there and that was a fun hike. I remember the steep hills near the waterfalls.”

“jmitch--I would love to do that hike, please post when you have a date!”

“Trip posted.”

“Great find jmitch!”