Ricketts Glen Waterfalls | Travel Photographer Harrisburg, Pa

Earlier this week, my husband and I spent a day at Ricketts Glen.  Specifically, the Highland Trail and Falls Trail.

Being a gal from the South, spending time outdoors and enjoying all nature has to offer is just sorta in my blood.  This hike though, it defies all I have ever seen in the Smoky Mountain!

Imagine: 21 waterfalls in ONE BIG LOOP!

Yes, it should now be on everyone's Pennsylvania Bucket List (or even your true bucket list!).

We decided to park in the Lake Rose parking lot after a moderate amount of research and thought as to which direction we wanted to finish.  From this lot, its a quick walk down to the fork- left is the Highland Trail and right is the Ganoga Glen side of the Falls Trail.  

One thing I only realized late in the planning stage: most people also hike the Highland Trail to complete the loop.  Makes complete sense, but it just wasn't clicking in my mind.  :)

Our thoughts:  Finish with the falls and see the Midway Crevasse first.  So, off we went down the left hand path.  The path was a nice flat walk, so we made some pretty good time through here, but decided once we reached the Midway Crevasse that we were hungry!  So we ate some snacks, enjoyed the peaceful area and sharp rock formations, and then we were off again.  I liked how quickly this portion of the trail passed, yet there was so much to see in terms of vegitational varieties.

Once we reached the Falls Path, we almost immediately came upon our first fall of the hike: Onondaga (15') and it was beautiful- the perfect way to start our hike!

Pssst: Be sure to check out our fun Power T shot at the top of F.L. Ricketts (our 2nd falls) over on Instagram :) {@BellaVitaPhotoPa}

After passing the Shawnee and Huron falls in short order- we hiked a little ways, then came upon Ozone (60').  At first glance it didn't seem to be 60 feet, but after we hiked further down, I turned around and saw the following:

While hiking the Glen Leigh side first, you are walking down each fall, rather than up the fall, so you need to stop and take it all in several times (well, at least I did and I cannot be the only person that does this!). :)

This scene is like something out of The Hobbit or Last of the Mohicans.  It is just so serene.  So beautiful.  So pure.

After passing 3 more falls, including the falls for which Ricketts Glen State Park is named after: R.B. Ricketts, we can to Waters Meet.  This was a fairly populated section.  Many hikers were having lunch, resting on the bench, reading the historical landmarker, kids were playing in the shallow waters and rocks.  It is definitely a great stopping point.

We continued on down the bottom of the 'Y' of the Falls Trail, since we decided to see all of the falls on this trail during our hike.  The first we came to was Harrison Wright (27') and I can see the allure of this fall to photographers.  Especially those photographers seeking the creamy water, summer haze, and serenity that follows this particular fall.

I spent a little time here, soaking in this gorgeous fall, hearing the rush of the water.  If I listen closely, I swear I can hear the falls by looking at this picture.  What a fond memory!

We finished the next two falls quickly and returned to Waters Meet.  Off we headed up the Ganoga Glen side of the Falls Trail.  This side was significantly wetter and muddier than the Glen Leigh side.  I am really glad we started on the Glen Leigh now, as I would NOT have wanted to hike down the wet surfaces on Ganoga Glen today.

After passing Erie (47') right away, we hiked a little ways, came upon Conestoga (17') and then Mohican (39') which was just inspiring, then Delaware (37') and Seneca (12') came shortly there after.  Before I knew it, we were upon Ganoga (94')! 

We decided to stop, enjoy the view and eat our lunch here.  So did several other hiker families, as well as out for a short view of the falls.  It was peaceful, then a little crowded, but if you waited out the loud talking and selfie-taking- it is well worth it and I am really glad we spent the time having lunch here.

Who wouldn't love a lunch-time view like this?

There are only a couple falls past Ganoga and it was thundering, so we were moving at a pretty quick pace.  I was at set to get a shot of Oneida (13'), but when choosing between the shot and the camera potentially getting wet... the husband won the battle.  It is just another reason to go back! ;)

The final leg of the hike back to the original fork only took us about 10 minutes, so in reality, this hike is loaded with falls, all the way to the end!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!  9 years of loving commitment to each other- the best 4015+ days of my life.

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Be Blessed.