Raccoon Creek SP
Feb 7, 2017 12:12:34 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on Feb 7, 2017 12:12:34 GMT -5
Raccoon Creek State Park – Hookstown, Pa
Saturday February 4, 2017
As I was already heading west to Wheeling WV for an event on Saturday night. I figured I'd leave eastern Pennsylvania early enough to fit in a hike on my way west.
I had previously read and heard about the 7,572 acre Raccoon Creek State Park. But never had the chance to do any hiking there.
Arrived just a bit after 9:00 am. And parked at the park’s main office parking area. Figured ahead of time that I would do a loop hike using the following trails and a short section of the park road. Crossed route 18 and followed the Raccoon park road east for a few hundred yards to a connector trail (Spur of Lake trail) uphill to the Forest Trail, east to the Heritage trail back to route 18. Then part of the Mineral Spring Loop/Heritage/Mineral Spring trail back to the parking area. Worked out to be approximately a ten mile hike with lots of ups and downs.
The Forest trail is currently detoured below the Raccoon Lake spillway. And follows the park entrances roadways back to the opposite side of the creek crossing (bridge across Raccoon Creek may be out?).
The trails on the north side of the lake (Forest trail) tended to be briar filled in some areas. And could be a problem if hiking it during the summer. The trails on the south side where much more pleasant. Heading easily uphill along a small stream for a bit. Passing through a few planted pine tree plantations. And finally descending along a Hemlock filled drainage just prior to route 18.
The Frankfort Mineral Spring on the west side was sort of impressive with the waterfall being frozen. And large ice icicles hanging from the cave like overhang next to the falls. Looked like teeth of a large dragon.
Overall a very pleasant hike on a cool and sunny 15 degree morning in western Pennsylvania. Looking at the Park map. There are many more opportunities for additional hiking within the parks 44 miles of trails.
A few pictures from the days hike:
Pine Plantation on Heritage trail
Hemlock Grove prior to route 18 crossing
Small Falls at Frankfort M9ineral Springs
Icy mouth ?
Frankfort Mineral Springs
Frankfort Mineral Springs
Frankfort Mineral Springs
Saturday February 4, 2017
As I was already heading west to Wheeling WV for an event on Saturday night. I figured I'd leave eastern Pennsylvania early enough to fit in a hike on my way west.
I had previously read and heard about the 7,572 acre Raccoon Creek State Park. But never had the chance to do any hiking there.
Arrived just a bit after 9:00 am. And parked at the park’s main office parking area. Figured ahead of time that I would do a loop hike using the following trails and a short section of the park road. Crossed route 18 and followed the Raccoon park road east for a few hundred yards to a connector trail (Spur of Lake trail) uphill to the Forest Trail, east to the Heritage trail back to route 18. Then part of the Mineral Spring Loop/Heritage/Mineral Spring trail back to the parking area. Worked out to be approximately a ten mile hike with lots of ups and downs.
The Forest trail is currently detoured below the Raccoon Lake spillway. And follows the park entrances roadways back to the opposite side of the creek crossing (bridge across Raccoon Creek may be out?).
The trails on the north side of the lake (Forest trail) tended to be briar filled in some areas. And could be a problem if hiking it during the summer. The trails on the south side where much more pleasant. Heading easily uphill along a small stream for a bit. Passing through a few planted pine tree plantations. And finally descending along a Hemlock filled drainage just prior to route 18.
The Frankfort Mineral Spring on the west side was sort of impressive with the waterfall being frozen. And large ice icicles hanging from the cave like overhang next to the falls. Looked like teeth of a large dragon.
Overall a very pleasant hike on a cool and sunny 15 degree morning in western Pennsylvania. Looking at the Park map. There are many more opportunities for additional hiking within the parks 44 miles of trails.
A few pictures from the days hike:
Pine Plantation on Heritage trail
Hemlock Grove prior to route 18 crossing
Small Falls at Frankfort M9ineral Springs
Icy mouth ?
Frankfort Mineral Springs
Frankfort Mineral Springs
Frankfort Mineral Springs
