Ricketts Glen - Falls Loop
Mar 13, 2017 9:19:54 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on Mar 13, 2017 9:19:54 GMT -5
Saturday March 11, 2017
Ricketts Glen State Park.
After reading Jmitch recent “Mountain Springs Loop” trip report here on Mid Atlantic Forums it wetted my appetite for a trip to Ricketts Glen State Park
I’ve never hiked the falls trail loop. In the winter, but figured I give it a shot.
Note: The falls trails are officially closed. With multiple warnings. They are only open to properly prepared (Equipped) parties (Must have Crampons, Ice Ax and Rope. Plus register with the park office prior to hiking). Due to some pre planning I had the perquisite equipment with me.
Unlike the week before. When Jeff’s pictures showed little snow cover. There was a good six inches or so on the ground. The snow cover actually helped cover (stuck too) most of the ice around the falls. And made the trip much easier. Still had to use extreme caution while descending down the Glen Leigh. Especially alongside FL Ricketts Falls and Ozone Falls. The underlying ice was soft in most cases, and the crampons worked fine. Won’t say they were overkill.
Parked at Beach Lot number 2 proceeded down Leigh Glen, up Ganoga Glen and then the Highland trail to close the loop. If I was to repeat the hike. I would reverse the directions, so as to ascend Leigh Glen. As the descent down Leigh Glen was worse than what the descent down Ganoga Glen would have been.
Can say it’s the first time I’ve hiked the falls loop and only seen one other group of four. The 13 degree temperature may had something to do with that, in addition to the trails being officially closed.
Just want to stress. Ricketts Glen in the winter is a serious hike. With a high risk factor for falls due to the ice that forms along all the waterfalls. One should not even think about attempting it without having experience in hiking in this type environment, and following the park rules for the falls trails in winter. There is a reason they have them posted.
A few pictures of the day:
Ricketts Glen State Park.
After reading Jmitch recent “Mountain Springs Loop” trip report here on Mid Atlantic Forums it wetted my appetite for a trip to Ricketts Glen State Park
I’ve never hiked the falls trail loop. In the winter, but figured I give it a shot.
Note: The falls trails are officially closed. With multiple warnings. They are only open to properly prepared (Equipped) parties (Must have Crampons, Ice Ax and Rope. Plus register with the park office prior to hiking). Due to some pre planning I had the perquisite equipment with me.
Unlike the week before. When Jeff’s pictures showed little snow cover. There was a good six inches or so on the ground. The snow cover actually helped cover (stuck too) most of the ice around the falls. And made the trip much easier. Still had to use extreme caution while descending down the Glen Leigh. Especially alongside FL Ricketts Falls and Ozone Falls. The underlying ice was soft in most cases, and the crampons worked fine. Won’t say they were overkill.
Parked at Beach Lot number 2 proceeded down Leigh Glen, up Ganoga Glen and then the Highland trail to close the loop. If I was to repeat the hike. I would reverse the directions, so as to ascend Leigh Glen. As the descent down Leigh Glen was worse than what the descent down Ganoga Glen would have been.
Can say it’s the first time I’ve hiked the falls loop and only seen one other group of four. The 13 degree temperature may had something to do with that, in addition to the trails being officially closed.
Just want to stress. Ricketts Glen in the winter is a serious hike. With a high risk factor for falls due to the ice that forms along all the waterfalls. One should not even think about attempting it without having experience in hiking in this type environment, and following the park rules for the falls trails in winter. There is a reason they have them posted.
A few pictures of the day:
