Waterfalls of Pennsylvania: A Guide to More Than 180 Falls in the Keystone State (Best Waterfalls by State) - Softcover

Cheney, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1591939119 ISBN 13: 9781591939115

Publisher: Adventure Publications, 2020

Synopsis

Find Your Way to Pennsylvania’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls

Waterfalls create a feeling of serenity, a sense of restrained power. Their grandeur takes our breath away. Their gentle sounds complement periods of meditation. Let award-winning photographer and creator of Pennsylvania’s most read travel blog Jim Cheney guide you to more than 180 of the top-ranked waterfalls in the state. Your bucket list should include these gorgeous locales that decorate Pennsylvania’s landscape.

The waterfalls are organized geographically and ranked by beauty. Entries include all the information you need, like directions, distance, and hike difficulty, as well as details about each waterfall, such as height, width, and the best time of year to visit. Not-to-miss sights and nearby activities are also called out, so you can make the most of every outing. Plus, Jim’s incomparable photography makes this guidebook worthy of any coffee table.

From the towering falls of the Poconos to the scenic gems of the Laurel Highlands and everywhere in between, experience them all with this wonderful guidebook. These natural wonders prove that the Keystone State is home to some of the most picturesque sites in America!

About this title

About the Author

Jim Cheney has been exploring Pennsylvania for more than five years and is the author of the popular travel site, UncoveringPA.com. Jim has visited every county in Pennsylvania and has hiked to hundreds of waterfalls throughout the state. Prior to starting his Pennsylvania explorations, he spent two and a half years living and traveling in Asia, where he also enjoyed visiting many beautiful waterfalls in exotic locales such as South Korea, Thailand, and Mongolia. He lives in Harrisburg with his wife and two children.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Slateford Creek Falls
The three waterfalls on Slateford Creek are hidden gems of the Delaware Water Gap.

• Location: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Address/GPS for the Falls: 40°56'44.4"N, 75°07'20.9"W
• Directions: Take exit 307 from Interstate 80. Take Route 611 South for 6.5 miles. Turn right onto National Park Drive. After 0.1 mile, park in a pull-off on the left side of the road before a 180-degree turn. For the uppermost falls, continue on the road for one mile and park in a pull-off just before the bridge.
• Website: www.nps.gov/dewa
• Waterway: Slateford Creek
• Height: 50 feet Crest: 5 feet
• Nearest Town: Stroudsburg
• Hike Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail Quality: Unmarked, but well trodden
• Round-trip Distance: 1 mile
• Admission: No fee

Trip Report & Tips

The three waterfalls on Slateford Creek are located just south of Stroudsburg in the southern reaches of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. While these are incredibly beautiful waterfalls, they aren’t nearly as well known as many of the other waterfalls in the area. While seeing these three waterfalls in one hike is possible, most opt to break it into two shorter and easier hikes.

From an unmarked pull-off on National Park Drive, climb over the berm and you’ll see an obvious trail leading into the woods. The first waterfall on Slateford Creek will soon come into view far down in the gorge. It’s possible to descend down to stream level, but this is quite difficult and not recommended. This waterfall is three tiers and roughly 15 feet in combined height. Continuing along this unmarked but well-worn trail for another 5-7 minutes will bring you to the largest waterfall on Slateford Creek. This 50-foot waterfall falls in a narrow stream before fanning out at the base of the falls. The trail takes you right to the bottom of the falls, making it easy to really enjoy this beautiful spot.

To see the third waterfall on the creek, you can try to pick your way up the hill and continue above the second waterfall. However, your better bet is to return to your car and drive a mile up the road to a second pull-off. From here, it’s a short 2-3 minute hike downhill to the base of the uppermost falls on Slateford Creek. This is a 20-foot drop that is located opposite a large, shallow pool. While here, notice the remnants of an old dam just downstream of the falls.

Edition details

• Publisher: Adventure Publications
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1591939119
• ISBN 13: 9781591939115
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 232