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GET OUTDOORS POCONOS

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w g w r w d.o .br he COURTESY OF THE BRODHEAD WATERSHED ASSOCIATION odheadwaters MORE HIKES This is the second volume of “Get Outdoors Poconos” from Brodhead Watershed Association. BWA will gladly mail a free copy of the first volume (published in 2017) to members within the United States. See page 19 for mail-in form. GET OUTDOORS POCONOS In appreciation of protected land, protected water THIS GUIDE TO ‘GET OUTDOORS POCONOS’ is brought to you by the Brodhead Watershed Association and funded by a grant from the William Penn Foundation. In 2017, BWA hosted guided hikes at the parks and preserves listed here. BRODHEAD WATERSHED ASSOCIATION is a non-profit environmental organization formed in 1989. BWA is dedicated to protecting and preserving water resources, water quality and surrounding environment of the Brodhead watershed. THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION supports projects that protect and restore the Delaware River watershed’s natural environment to ensure there is an adequate supply of clean water for generations to come. The Brodhead and other subwatersheds of Monroe County are major factors in the health of the Delaware and drinking water for millions of people. See williampennfoundation.org or 4states1source.org. FOR INFORMATION, including more hikes that are added monthly, go to brodheadwatershed.org/gopoconos/index.html or scan this QR code: TO FIND YOUR HIKE Twelve hikes are listed here, from easy to difficult. Use this key to find the level you’re looking for: EASY MEDIUM DIFFICULT

Relatively short or can be Longer, more woodsy with Most are 2 miles or more, cut short; clearly defined blazes, narrower trail, some trail may require attention to and wide trails with smooth rocky or wet footing, varied follow; expect rocky or wet footing, modest elevation terrain with ups and downs. footing, steep sections. change. BIG WOODS ...... 4 BRUCE LAKE NATURAL CHESTNUT MOUNT NEBO ...... 5 AREA ...... 8 MOUNTAIN ...... 16 RED ROCK LOOP ...... 6 CHERRY VALLEY NATIONAL PARADISE-PRICE THOMAS DARLING WILDLIFE REFUGE .... 9 PRESERVE’S PRESERVE ...... 7 LACAWAC SANCTUARY .... 12 WATERFALL TRAIL ... 17 MOUNT WISMER Hike leader and writer, Carol ‘FROM THE TOP’ ..... 13 Hillestad; photographer, Nancy J. Hopping; website and booklet NOTHSTEIN PRESERVE designer, Andrea Higgins...... 14 LOCATOR MAP On the cover: Robin Trainer on Mount WEST END REGIONAL of all sites on page 10 Wismer. Photo by Dave Trainer PARK’S EAST END ...... 15 BIG WOODS Protects the waters of McMichael Creek

TRAILS: One blazed trail with LOCATION: 2455 Forest many side spurs to create your Drive in Chestnuthill Town- own loop. Trail is hard-packed ship, Pa. From either Route and mostly level. Leashed dogs 209 or Route 715, take Neola allowed. Road to Sherwood Forest Road. Follow Sherwood HIGHLIGHTS: Open, sunlit Forest Road for 1.5 miles Drive, which looks like a driveway, woodland. Stone rows and walls to Ash Road on your left (check but dead-ends at the trailhead. are evidence of area’s agricultural your odometer; the street sign Please don’t block the gate. GPS: roots. is hard to see). Go left on Forest 40.968006, -75.378331

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STORM AVE Conserved Lands (Open to Public) Map courtesy Chestnuthill Township Municipal Boundaries S RD SPRING FIVE 4 MOUNT NEBO Protects the waters of Marshalls Creek

TRAILS: Outer loop trail is 2 miles, blazed in white. The trail is steep in spots and crisscrossed with tree roots. There are some downed trees to climb over, and dry leaves and loose gravel can make the trail slippery in places, even when dry. Inner loop trail is half a mile, blazed in orange. A trail loops around the pond as well. Many spurs exist. Leashed dogs allowed.

HIGHLIGHTS: Picnic area at trailhead, benches along trail. 159-acre park straddles a ridge between the Shawnee and Marshalls creeks with long views. Large pond cradled in a basin of rock.

LOCATION: Mount Nebo Regional Park is in Smithfield Township, northeastern Pennsylvania. The parking lot is at 406 Mount Nebo Road. Take Mount Nebo Road either from Route 209 or from Buttermilk Falls Road. GPS: 41.035662, -75.108830

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!j Parking !F Hiking !l Fishing White Trail: 2 Mile Loop Orange Ortho-photTrail: ogr 1/2 MileThe Loop Count y or implied Mount Neborelease Park of t of Monroe Private Propertyto be mad e (within park)the County this data as Tax Parcel Monroe County Planning Commission 5 RED ROCK LOOP Protects the waters of Paradise Creek and Forest Hills Run

TRAILS: Trails are well-groomed but fre- quently have fallen oaks to climb over. Many sections have stone steps and switchbacks. Map at the trailhead kiosk shows 4 miles of trails. Center loop is a wide, gravel path of about a mile. Leashed dogs welcome. Open 8 a.m. to dusk.

HIGHLIGHTS: In early spring, the wetland is alive with salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs and other crea- tures. Dense stands of native mountain laurels and wildflowers. Long which Paradise Town- views through oaks ship, Pa., holds. Mount and maples. Spur to Airy Trail Network’s Mount Sophia takes you Red Rock trailhead to a pine and hemlock is on Red Rock Road. upland at 1,600 feet. From Route 191 in Paradise Valley, Pa., LOCATION: Red Rock take Red Rock Road for Trail is part of the Mount eight-tenths of a mile. Airy Trail Network on Trailhead is on your lands protected by a right. GPS: 41.112493, conservation easement -75.290897

Mount Airy Trail Network 6 THOMAS DARLING PRESERVE Protects the waters of Two-Mile Run and Tobyhanna Creek

TRAILS: 2.2-mile loop, blazed in blue. Not far from the trailhead, look for red and white blazes. Starts out wide and open, and then footing consists of rocks and dirt, but it is hard-packed and mostly level — fairly easy going. The trail is rocky and can be wet. Stay on trails and boardwalks. Hunting allowed. Leashed dogs allowed. HIGHLIGHTS: Long boardwalk through the heart of a marsh. Glacial wetlands. Rare plants. Abundant wildlife. LOCATION: Thomas Darling Preserve trailhead is outside Blakeslee, Pa., off Burger Road. At the intersection of routes 940 and 115 in Blakeslee, go north on Route 115 for one mile. Take Burger Road, on your right, to the trailhead. GPS: 41.115573, -75.590863 0 200 400 600 800 Feet Northern Hardwood Forest l ! ai tr

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Legend Red Thomas Darling Preserve Legend Spruce PPL right-of-way Thomas Darling Preserve Forest Trail (2.2 mi) PPL right-of-way Boardwalk 1630 Trail (2.2 mi) Road Boardwalk 1630 Stream Road w T o n Wetland - u Stream m i le R 10 ft contour Wetland 2 ft contour The Nature Conservancy 7 BRUCE LAKE NATURAL AREA Protects the waters of Egypt Creek and Lackawaxen River

TRAILS: 2.2-mile loop hike at 1.5 miles. Retrace your steps to Egypt Meadow Lake within Bruce return to the parking lot for a total Lake Natural Area. Difficulty is of about 5 miles. Leashed dogs moderate, with rocks underfoot allowed. and wet areas. The Egypt Meadow trailhead is well marked. Head HIGHLIGHTS: Abundant wildlife, downhill toward the lake. When including black bears and timber the lake comes into view, bear rattlesnakes. 47-acre Egypt Mead- right, following the blue-blazed ow Lake features beaver lodges. trail that skirts the western shore Large stands of rhododendrons, of the lake. When you come to a huge hemlocks. Enormous tum- wide woods road, go left to the bled boulders everywhere. bridge over the inlet from Balsam Swamp. From this point, the LOCATION: Egypt Meadow guided hike will go west along Lake Trail, part of an 8-mile trail the woods road to the Panther network at Bruce Lake Natural Swamp trail marker, taking the Area in Palmyra Township, Pa., Panther Swamp trail on the adjacent to Promised Land State right, and back to the trailhead. Park. The trailhead is on the east Alternate, longer hike: To continue side of Route 390, just south of from the bridge to Bruce Lake, Route 84. Please do not block the continue east on the woods trailhead gate. GPS: 41.359356, road, which will narrow, about -75.203335

Courtesy Promised Land State Park 8 CHERRY VALLEY WILDLIFE REFUGE Protects the waters of Cherry Creek TRAILS: A former golf course, the 193-acre preserve has kept the former cart-paths to form two walking loops — the Front Nine and the Back Nine – making for good footing and easy (though hilly) walking. Varied terrain, lots of views, and several miles of hiking options. Trails are hard gravel and well-groomed, with switchbacks, hills, and a gazebo at the highest point.

HIGHLIGHTS: Important flyway for migrating birds. Partially forested. Access to Cherry Creek.

LOCATION: Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is off Cherry Valley Road south of Stroudsburg, Pa. Take Route 191 south past the Stroudsmoor resort. At the bottom of the hill, go left on Cherry Valley Road. At Croasdale Road, go right to parking for the refuge. GPS: 40.9710 -75.1714

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w g w r Map by Ambrose Cavalier w d.o .br he odheadwaters LACAWAC SANCTUARY Protects the waters of Wallenpaupack Creek

TRAILS: A moderate, 3-mile loop hike can be created of three trails, ranging from an easy, well-marked, wide and mostly level trail to the orange-blazed trail, which leads through deep woods and becomes demanding. Leashed dogs welcome. Open dawn to dusk. A $10 per-car donation is requested.

HIGHLIGHTS: 545-acre sanctuary with prehistoric Lake Lacawac. Wildflowers and wetlands. High overlook of Lake Wallenpaupack. One-room nature museum in visitor center. Sanctuary sign, indicating your on the unpaved Sanctuary Road left turn onto Ledgedale Road. to the sanctuary parking. GPS: LOCATION: Lacawac Sanc- Continue following the brown 41.376739, -75.299878 tuary is in Lake Ariel, Pa. On Lacawac Sanctuary Route 507 North, pass under signs. Pass through Trail Distance Surface Difficulty MB Maurice broun Trail 1.2 Miles Natural intermediate Route 84. From the under- Sterling Marina, pass, go six-tenths of a mile. MB Maurice broun Spur 0.2 Miles Natural intermediate go two-tenths of a LL lake lacawac trail 1.1 Miles Natural Intermediate You will see a brown Lacawac mile and go right LL lake lacawac spur 0.1 Miles Natural Beginner Visitor Center PR Partner Ridge Trail 0.4 Miles Natural Advanced

L Ledges Trail 0.7 Miles Natural INtermediate

BL Big lake trail 2.9 miles gravel Advanced

GC Great camp trail* 1.0 miles gravel Beginner

O osprey Trail 0.2 miles natural Beginner Scale 1” = 50’ AW A. Watres Trail 0.2 miles natural Beginner

C Carriage trail 0.2 miles natural Beginner

WO White oak trail 0.2 miles natural Beginner

LF lakefront trail 0.1 miles natural Beginner

W Warbler trail 0.8 miles natural Beginner

R Rhododendron trail 0.2 miles natural Beginner

*Trail also serves vehicle traffic, Use caution Boardwalk

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MB Broun Courtesy Lacawac Sanctuary Overlook Lake Wallenpaupack

12 N = 300’

1200 Scale 1”= 100’ MOUNT WISMER ‘FROM THE TOP’ Protects the waters of Middle Branch of Brodhead Creek TRAILS: 2.5-mile out-and- back hike to the Mount Wismer viewpoint. Difficulty is moderate- to-challenging; leaves and rocks underfoot, with stretches of steep climbs. Climbing Mount Wismer from the bottom is a steep, rocky scramble. Going in from the top is a little easier. Consider trekking poles or walking sticks. When you pass the gate, bear to your right down a steep hill. Follow the woods road and blue blazes. Yellow- and red- blazed trails come up from below and join the blue-blazed trail. The blue blazes lead to the overlook. Hunting allowed. Leashed dogs allowed.

HIGHLIGHTS: Rocky cliffs along the way and a breath- taking view from the top.

LOCATION: The trailhead is off Route 447 in Barrett Township, Pa. From the Canadensis stoplight, take Route 447 north four miles. Sign for the trailhead is on your right. When you park, please do not block the trailhead gate. GPS: 41.241858, -75.263485

BWA map by Raymond Macik 13 NOTHSTEIN PRESERVE Protects the waters of Cranberry Creek

TRAILS: Hike up to 3 miles Rustic creek crossings. with varied terrain – including a Old stone quarry. ravine. Can be moderate to chal- LOCATION: 424 lenging, depending on route. High Cranberry Creek Road, water levels on Cranberry Creek Cresco, Pa. From the might change route; there is only south, go north on Route one bridge crossing. Paradise 191 into Paradise Valley. Township cleared and blazed four Go right on Cranberry loop trails. Trails are steep and Creek Road for 1.5 miles. rocky in places. Open dawn to Trailhead is on your dusk. Leashed dogs allowed. right. From the north, take Route 390/191 south. Bear one-quarter mile. Trailhead is on HIGHLIGHTS: Cranberry Creek left at Carrazza’s restaurant to your left. Please don’t block the runs through 150-acre preserve, stay on Route 191 south. Go left neighbor’s driveway or the gate. with high ridges on each side. on Cranberry Creek Road for GPS: 41.1293 75.2699

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1090 1010 14 1070 WEST END PARK’S EAST LOOP Protects the waters of McMichael Creek

TRAILS: A moderate to challenging hike of about 2 miles on a network of single- track trails to challenge mountain bikers as well as hikers. Easy to follow, with few roots or rocks, and the steep downhill incline eases its way through multiple switchbacks. Open dawn to dusk. Hunting allowed. Leashed dogs allowed. There is also a wheelchair- accessible, 1-mile loop.

HIGHLIGHTS: Bucolic scenery and evidence of old farmlands within what is now partially forest.

LOCATION: 578 Evergreen Hollow Road, Saylorsburg, Pa., in Chestnuthill Township. From Route 715, take Evergreen Hollow Road approximately two-tenths of a mile to the trailhead on your left. GPS: 40.9610 -75.4094

West End Park and Open Space Commission 15 CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN Protects the waters of Buck Hill Creek

TRAILS: 2.8-mile blue trail is one of two main blazed trails. The red trail is a loop extension that adds 1.2 miles to the blue trail. There is a 400-foot elevation change. Difficulty is moderate, with some steep areas, rocks underfoot, and wet areas. Open dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs allowed.

HIGHLIGHTS: 479 acres at high elevation, favored by leaf peepers. Table-land overlook. A large, bear-clawed beech tree.

LOCATION: Trail- head is on the east side of Route 191 in Barrett Township, marked by a sign and kiosk. From Mountainhome, Aì Pa., where Routes AIA Griscom Creek 191/390 split near ß Mountainhome ß Diner, take 191 north for 4.3 miles. Trailhead is on right. The gate is generally locked, ß ß but several cars ß can be parked along Route 191. GPS: 41.211407, Chestnut Mt. ß -75.307811 Overlook

Buck Hillill Forest Management Plan

In 2014, the Buck Hill Conservation Foundationoundation and the Buck Hill Falls Company jointly hiredhired a foresteforesterr to prepare a forest management plan for 4,330 acres of Buck HiHillll Falls, including Chestnut Mountain.Mountain. The study by Green Leaf Consulting provides a comprehensivee assessment of tthehe property and lists recommendationsrecommendations for the conseconservationrvation and restoration of the forest. The Plan suggests suchsuch strategies as adopting an aggressiveaggressive herbicide ccontrolontrol plan for invasive exotic species and the planting of such seseedlingsedlings as red spruce, white sprucespruce or other conifeconifersrs on treated sites. The aim is allow seedlings to grow and shade out invasive hay-scented ferns and ootherther unwanted vegetation. As you ascend northwards along the lower half of the Blue Trail, look for wildflowers that are now competing with the invasive plants. The plan suggests that open, sunny areas could be converted to wildflower species, fruit bearing shrubs or saplings—all to attract wildlifeldlife species. The degree to which we step in to shape the regenerregenerationation of this land is a decision thatthat lies ahead. MMeanwhile,eanwhile, nature is working to reclaim Chestnut Mountain with the native species that once thrived there. The Buck Hill Forest Management Plan can be found at buckhillconservation.org.

Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed 16 Courtesy Buck Hill Conservation Foundation PARADISE-PRICE WATERFALL Protects the waters of Cranberry and Brodhead creeks TRAILS: A challenging hike of about 5 miles. Some trails are wide, grassy and level; others are steep and rocky. Yellow blazes mark part of the way. Elevation change of about 300 feet. Open dawn to dusk. Leashed dogs welcome. Creek Road. From Cranberry HIGHLIGHTS: 777 acres with LOCATION: Paradise-Price Creek Road, take Henry’s open woods, huge boulders Preserve is on Henry’s Crossing Road. When you dropped by a glacier. A low Crossing Road in Paradise cross the railroad tracks, the horseshoe waterfall. Beaver Township, Pa. Take Route 191 trailhead is on your right. GPS: activity in Brodhead Creek. in Paradise Valley to Cranberry 41.132520, -75.263742

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BROM SUG HAT Monroe County Planning Commission 17 Love the outdoors? This is the place for you! Hundreds of miles of trails are waiting for you to explore in the Poconos. Hikes sponsored by Brodhead Watershed Association – and detailed in this booklet – introduce you to some of them.

This place is like no other on Earth. Here you’ll find ancient mountains, a quaking bog that once held mastodon bones, and plant and animal diversity that rivals the world’s rain forests. Fast-tumbling waterfalls and lazy, mellow rivers. Glacial boulders as big as houses.

You’ll also find your choice of outdoor adventures. Take an easy stroll on groomed paths at a nature sanctuary. Backpack into the wilderness for overnight camping. Strap on snowshoes to visit pristine lakes and a beaver lodge. Even fish some of the most famous trout waters in America.

You’ll find creeks, streams, and wetlands on almost every hike. There’s a reason for that: pure, safe water is important! Conserving land that protects water quality has been a priority of Monroe County and municipal open space land programs. Citizens of the Poconos have voted to purchase and preserve these public lands to protect our water supply and that of future generations — and that same land offers healthy outdoor adventures for all.

Members of Brodhead Watershed Association are dedicated to preserving and protecting our creeks, streams, and drinking water, as well as the land it depends on. Please support this good work! Become a member of the BWA at www.brodheadwatershed.org

And have a great hike! tershe a dÊA ÊW s s Join us! d o a e c i

Brodhead Watershed Association is a grassroots h a

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nonprofit dedicated to protecting and improving o

n water resources and the environment in the B Brodhead watershed. w g w r w d.o .br he Members enjoy free/discounted admission odheadwaters to celebrations and outdoor events, as well as updates on local environmental news.

o I would like to join BWA! __ Student/senior, $20 __ Sustaining, $80 __ Individual, $35 __ Conservator, $100+ __ Family, $50 __ Stream Steward, $500 o ... and please send me a copy of the first volume of the “Get Outdoors Poconos” hike booklet. Name ______

Address ______

City, state, zip ______

Phone _(______)______

Email ______Please send your check with this form (copies are fine) to: BWA, PO Box 339, Henryville, PA 18332 You can also join or donate online at brodheadwatershed.org/form_member.html BWA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax deductible. GET OUTDOORS POCONOS Find your hike here brodheadwatershed.org/gopoconos