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Saturday, August 1, 2020

"Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls" on Weekends in the Pocono Mountains

Eric and I plan to go on a few hikes and see Waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area







The Trailheads are packed

with cars...












Some Trailheads are so busy

that they have Traffic Control.










Some people park roadside &

"hike" to the Trailhead.









Lots of cars mean lots of hikers on the Trails.  Eric and I continue our drive north to look for more isolated, less-trafficked Trail Heads, open parking spots, fewer hikers...







Winding country roads take

Eric & me...














... past abandoned homes.









The Tocks Island Dam Project was proposed in the late 1950s as a flood control measure following the inundations that occurred during Hurricanes Connie and Diane in 1955.  The proposed Project would create a reservoir about 40 miles long and a mile wide, and displace 600 families living in the area.  


The families lost their property through the Eminent Domain Process.  They received compensation and then watched their former homes and lands rented out to people from outside the area by the Army Corps of Engineers during the time preceding the Dam's construction.  


Opposition to the Dam began in the mid-1960s and continued through the early 1970s.  The Tocks Island Dam Project was shelved in 1975.  The land was given to the National Parks Service and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was established.  






We find an empty spot in

a Trailhead Parking Lot.


Ours is the third car from

the right.










Our hike takes us along a
worn grassy path &...







... & into the woods.









After some turns on the downward sloping trail, Eric and I hear voices and the sound of cascading water.







People have brought chairs,

blankets, food & beverages

for picnic lunches.










People lounge in the water
at the foot of Hackers Falls.












A young man takes a running
leap from the top of the
Waterfall...






... & plunges...










... into the water.









Another young man "cannonballs" into the pool of water and the third leaper lands on his back.

Hackers Falls is beautiful. Visitors enjoy it, the water, and the show the divers put on for them.  







Eric & I start our hike 

back to the Trailhead.






Eric recorded today's hike for us.


Today I learned, don't go chasing Waterfalls in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on weekends.  Hiking to the popular Falls is best done on weekdays when there are fewer hikers about. 

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