This out-and-back visits five outstanding waterfalls all within a couple of miles of each other. On the eastern end are the magnificent Dingmans and
Silverthread Falls. On the western end are Fulmer, Factory and Deer Leap Falls. Hike #1 ("Dingman Falls") from the book
Great Hikes in the Poconos and Northeast Pennsylvania has the trail head on the western end, while hike #6 ("Dingman Falls") from the book
Hike Pennsylvania begins on the eastern end.
I intended to begin on the eastern end but Johnny B. Mountain Road (yes, that's the name) was closed for the season. Presumably Dingman Falls visitor center
is also closed for the season since this road is the only way to get to it. So I drove west and began the hike at
Childs Recreation Site.
Amazingly, there are so many waterfalls and cascades, it was difficult to keep them apart and I mistook a major cascade (which is sort of a minor waterfall) for Silverthread Falls. When I got home, I realized it wasn't that waterfall at all. Silverthread is much more impressive, based on photos I found on Google Earth. I hang my head in shame, having "bagged" only four of the five waterfalls on this trek. Oh well, this gives us another reason to go back to this gorgeous area.
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View of Fulmer Falls |
Fulmer Falls |
Fulmer Falls |
Fulmer Falls [photo by Laura] |
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Factory Falls |
Factory Falls [photo by Laura] |
Laura near Factory Falls |
Factory Falls |
Upper cascade of Factory Falls |
View downstream |
Photographing mill ruins (from 1825) |
[Photo by Laura] |
At top cascade of Factory Falls |
Factory Falls |
Factory Falls |
Iced bushes at falls |
Mill ruins |
Upper cascade of Factory Falls |
Stream crossing |
More ruins off trail |
Sturdy boardwalks |
Fulmer falls from southern side |
This must have cost a bundle to build |
Dan over Deer Leap Falls [photo by Laura] |
Boardwalk atop Deer Leap Falls |
Deer Leap Falls |
Trekking downstream |
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Down-dog shenanigans |
Downy woodpecker |
Careful there |
Rhododendrons |
Exposed tree roots |
Small cascade near top of Dingmans Falls |
Laura atop Dingmans Falls |
Looking nearly straight down |
Cascade on way down |
More boardwalks |
Iced plants from falls mist |
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130-foot Dingmans Falls |
Sliding on viewing platform |
Lots of ice |
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Nature's art |
Dingmans Falls |
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Trekking upstream |
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Signs of past industry |
Small cascade in stream |
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Abandonded hornet's nest |
Back at Deer Leap Falls |
Photographs and content copyright © Dan Balogh Web design by Dan Balogh |