One Tank Getaway:
Ricketts Glen

by Julie & Greg Peters

PACK ALONG

Plenty of water for use along trails.
Change of clothes.
Jackets/sweaters (it can be a lot cooler along the trails, than you’d think)
Shoes suitable for hiking. (Hiking Boots)
Camera/Film
Snacks (to get you back up the incline)
Dogs (but, we didn’t tell you that)
Backpack (you may want to use both hands, and definitely both feet, on the trails)
Towels, washcloths, disposable towelettes, in case you’re heading home that day
Bug spray (we’ve never needed it, but don’t you know if you forgot it, you’d need it)

DIRECTIONS
Follow 322 West from Harrisburg to 11/15 North to Selingsgrove. Follow 11 North to Danville. Take 54 North to 80 East. Take 80 East to 487 North. Follow 487 North to Ricketts Glen. At Red Rock, 487 North turns left. Stay on 487 North. Follow this up the VERY steep incline. State Park will be on your right.

This month we geared up for our one-tank getaway to Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, PA. Thousands of visitors each summer make the trek, about 30 miles north of Bloomsburg, to discover abundant waterfalls. If you’ve been there you understand why it’s a great idea to go back. If you’re one of those people that always answers, "Ricketts Glen? Oh, we’ve heard it’s beautiful — we’ve just never been there." For goodness sake, just go!
Activities vary depending upon your interests: biking, hiking, boating (only electric or handpowered permitted), horseback riding, hunting, fishing and camping. So, there’s lots to do within a 2 and 1/2 hour drive from Harrisburg. This area can be accessed in one full day, however there’s so much to do, you’ll probably do best by planning to sleep over. Accommodations are available in the guest houses around the area, but the favorite place to stay still seems to be at the campground in the State Park.
For most people, the highlight of the area is seeing the largest waterfall, Ganoga. Ganoga is a 94 foot fall that provides playful activity for people of all ages. But, there are about 20 other falls to choose from that lie along the 3-mile Falls trail.
This trip we took a one-day jaunt with one of our friends, Marybeth. Even though Marybeth had never been hiking and had to put up with the likes of us, she’s already interested in going back to see the beautiful trails. No, what’s that she said? Oh yeah, "Spectacular, awesome waterfalls!". That’s why she wants to go back.
Along the way, there are plenty of stops down the road. Finding a restaurant, gas station or restrooms should not be a problem. However, ATM users should get cash before leaving Benton.
The Falls Trail is our favorite trail because it begins at the Park Office (Lake Jean entrance, route 487) and offers a short hike down to the Ganoga Falls. You can park at the Park Office lots, but you might want to try to drive 1/4 mile down the dirt road to the parking area closest to the trail. The first 1/4 mile of the trail is not steep, but as you begin the 1/4 mile descent to the falls, cautious people may want to take a steady hand down the rocks, steps and muddy terrain. Ganoga Falls will be the fourth waterfall you come across.
At Ganoga Falls, less adventurous hikers may want to go back up the same trail. However, if you are like most, you’ll want to keep following the trail further down to explore the other falls. You can eventually wind back up at your starting point. But, please remember, what goes down eventually goes up, and you better be prepared for the part of the trail (approx. 1 mile long) that goes back up the 1000 foot ridge. The point at which the two branches of the Kitchen Creek meet provides an excellent half-way point to rest up for the second half of the hike and, most importantly, the second-half of the waterfalls.
An alternate trail is to enter via the Evergreen Trail entrance of the State Park off Route 118. This leads you into the southern point, where the "Waters Meet". From here, you can begin your trek uphill and over the Highland Trail, allowing the last leg to be downhill. This route allows the crescendo of Ganoga Falls to be closer to the end of the hike. While the hike is a little longer, you’ll enjoy the giant pines, hemlocks and oaks, some of which are up to 900 years old, along its wooded entrance to the falls. Its an arborists’ delight (I’m sure!).

The second day of your getaway can be spent swimming at the well-maintained, life-guard attended beach along Lake Jean. Beautiful picnic pavilion's surround the wooded area of the lake. A food and drink concession stand is also open during the summer. Within a few minute walk, you’ll find the boats and family cabins which are available for rent. A boat launch is located at the far end of the lake (closer to the entrance of the park) for your convenience. Please remember, motor boats are not permitted. Public restrooms and phones are located near all of these amenities. Bridle trails and snowmobile trails (in the winter only, please) are also provided. Overnight horse boarding, rentals, riding instruction, etc. are available from Brace’s Stables (717) 925-5253.

Pick your weekend now so you’ll be sure not to let another summer go by without making it up to Ricketts Glen — and make it early enough that you’ll be ready to go again once the fall foliage takes on this beautiful wooded gorge!

For more information you can contact Ricketts Glen State Park (717) 477-5675.