Ricketts Glen State Park, PA

On Friday afternoon, I went to Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania. This is an amazing hike. I would highly recommend going there. The streams are picturesque and in any other hike would be the highlight. However, the waterfalls are amazing and are obviously the highlight of this hike. There are 22 named waterfalls on the trails. The pictures I have do not do them justice.

I parked on rt. 118 and then walked a looped. The advantage of walking the hike this way is that you get to walk uphill on the first part of the hike and, downhill at the end. The hike is between 5 and 6 miles, see the approximate trail map below. I guessed this map based on the terrain map and satellite imagery in Google Maps, and memory. At the beginning of the hike there is an option between the Upper Trail and the Lower Trail. The Lower Trail follows the stream and is effectively in the stream bed in parts. The Upper Trail follows a ridge, it is not a huge elevation change, and the path is well maintained. It is a much easier walk.

Overall, I did not find the trail to be too hard, though there were people who were stopped taking breaks along the trial. They have warnings posted at the beginning of the trail, to be careful, and to wear proper footwear. However, if you are in shape and used to hiking, I do not think there is much that is different about this trail. I do think the trail could be a bit dangerous in spots if it is very muddy, which the warning says.

There were a lot of people on the trail, do not expect being alone near the waterfalls. There are too many people walking around with tripods with their cameras that insist on walking as close to the falls to get their pictures. However, it is definitely worth going out of your way to visit.