July 10, 2021 – Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania
Problem: Straightforward
Size: Roughly 2 miles
Max elevation: 596 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 60 ft.
Route sort: Out and again
Purchase Map: *New 2021* Delaware Water Hole & Kittatinny Trails Map
Avenza App Map: 2021 – Delaware Water Hole & Kittatinny North #122
Trailhead parking: Hornbecks Path – Federal Rd (U.S. Route 209), Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328
No bogs on web site
Please be aware: Waterfall circumstances are dynamic, altering with climate and seasons. Keep on the path when attainable and be cautious of your environment, like slippery or rocky terrain, fast-paced water, or steep drops.
Overview:
The Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space (DWGNRA) straddles a stretch of the Delaware River on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania border. It encompasses forested mountains, grassy seashores and the Delaware Water Hole, which slices by way of the Kittatinny Ridge. The DWGNRA encompasses greater than 70,000 acres and has over 150 miles of trails.
Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space
The DWGNRA is on the jap fringe of the Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the place 40 miles of the Delaware River runs briskly between excessive bluffs and forested shores. There may be virtually nowhere with a better focus of nice waterfalls than the Pocono Mountains. The area is dwelling to some really beautiful waterfalls. A few of these waterfalls are positioned alongside well-established trails and are common vacationer sights, whereas others are hidden away in relative obscurity. The waterfalls of Hornbecks Creek (which flows into the Delaware River) could be the very best hidden gem within the Poconos, with its scenic cascades and deep gorge. Whereas it may not have the peak that the extra well-known waterfalls have, Hornbecks Creek Falls is one which shouldn’t be missed when climbing within the Delaware Water Hole Nationwide Recreation Space.
Hornbecks Creek Falls
Historical past:
Hornbecks Creek had an early grist mill on the base of the mountain by 1775. In 1870, Jacob Hornbeck purchased the property alongside the stream that finally took on his identify. The creek cascades over stair-step layers of shale between two bigger drops. This gave the stream its Nineteenth-century identify of Indian Ladders Creek. The identify additionally utilized to a vacationer boarding home within the valley.
The unique path, which had been there for over a century, was positioned within the creek’s floodplain and flooded steadily. The path reopened in September 2019 after the winter storms of March 2018 struck the realm and brought on substantial and widespread injury throughout the area. Huge bushes had been toppled by excessive winds, the stream financial institution alongside Hornbecks Creek partially collapsed and footbridges had been washed away. Path crews re-routed the path to greater floor to make it extra sustainable within the face of extra frequent and extra intense storms.
Roughly 900 toes of path was re-routed to greater floor and one other 500 toes of path was resurfaced. A 15-step staircase was constructed from native stone, some weighing as a lot as 600 kilos, in an space the place the stream had eroded a steep financial institution. New drainage programs had been put in to divert water and defend the path from erosion. Two new bridges had been constructed from domestically sourced lumber and had been put in greater above the water stage to higher defend them from flood injury. Different options of the brand new path embody the addition of turnpikes, areas the place the path is elevated above the floodplain or moist areas; lavatory bridges, which permit hikers to cross over quick muddy spots; and water bars, diagonal channels throughout the path that divert floor water away from the path.
Trails Overview:
The mile-long Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path also referred to as the Indian Ladders Path, may be accessed off of US Route 209 between mile markers 10 and 11. A small parking space with room for about 10-12 autos is on the finish of a gravel highway. Extra parking is accessible in a gravel lot instantly throughout the highway from the trailhead.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Trailhead
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Trailhead
The Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path partially follows the outdated Glenside Rod & Gun Membership highway alongside Hornbecks Creek. The shaded path meanders by way of the luxurious forest, crossing forwards and backwards over Hornbecks Creek on a sequence of footbridges earlier than ending on the base of the 25-ft. tall Hornbecks Creek Falls. The path is unmarked, however simple to observe. The world is owned and managed by the Nationwide Park Service.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Hike Overview:
Steady heavy rain that fell over the Northeast from Hurricane Elsa, and all of the waterfall posts on social media, made this hike a straightforward selection. Making an attempt to keep away from the plenty that are likely to flock in the direction of the extra “touristy” waterfalls within the area, this comparatively unknown waterfall makes for an idyllic vacation spot.
This principally stage hike is a brief out and again that crosses Hornbecks Creek a number of occasions. A pleasing stroll by way of the woods with a scenic waterfall because the payoff.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Though it’s not as effectively often called different waterfalls within the space, Hornbecks Creek Falls does see some foot site visitors. We arrived at roughly 8am on a Saturday morning and had been the primary ones on the trailhead. On our return from viewing the falls, we handed a number of teams of individuals alongside the path. As with the rest today, it pays to get out early.
The Hike:
The hike begins on the northern finish of the parking space on an outdated gravel highway that parallels Hornbecks Creek. Following the banks of Hornbeck’s Creek, the path meanders upstream by way of a mature forest composed of an incredible number of giant, outdated bushes.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
In a brief distance, the path crosses a picket footbridge to the opposite facet of the creek and begins to steadily, climb above the creek, passing stone steps that when led to an outdated dwelling. The path ranges off excessive above the creek which has minimize a steep-sided ravine by way of the terrain.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
The path then crosses Hornbecks Creek once more on a fiber-reinforced polymer path bridge that was put in January-March 2016 to interchange the bridge that was washed out by a storm a number of years earlier.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
The path descends a 15-step stone staircase in an space the place the stream had eroded the steep financial institution.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
A glance again on the stone staircase.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
The path then crosses the creek once more, this time on a single log bridge. It turns left and continues upstream over a number of lavatory bridges earlier than crossing Hornbecks Creek on one other single log bridge.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
The path turns proper and follows the creek upstream a brief distance to Hornbecks Creek Falls.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path
The 25-foot tall Hornbecks Creek Falls, also referred to as Decrease Indian Ladders, is a slide waterfall which is surrounded by cliffs and plummets into a big round pool. Please be aware: that swimming right here is prohibited by the Nationwide Park Service.
Hornbecks Creek Falls
Hornbecks Creek Falls
If you find yourself performed having fun with this picturesque waterfall, retrace your steps again the way in which you got here, to the parking space, the place the hike started.
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Trailhead
If you find yourself performed, you may get in your automobile and drive a brief distance to the Higher Hornbecks Creek Path to view some extra waterfalls.
Assessment:
A really nice stroll by way of the woods to a really scenic waterfall. This quick hike is ideal for a scorching and humid day after some rainfall. The path is effectively shaded and though it’s not marked, it’s effectively outlined and simple to observe. This easy out and again is nice for households and people who need to take pleasure in nature with out working up a sweat.
Execs:
Hornbecks Creek Falls, pleasing path, effectively maintained space, litter free.
Cons:
None.
Take a hike!
Decrease Hornbecks Creek Path – Delaware Water Hole
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