Meadow Run Trail and The Cascades

Ok...I'm new at this.....and fairly new to hiking, but gonna try it anyway. For posterity and to give me another hobby that I don't really need, I'm going to keep you posted on the hiking excursions that my wife and I are undertaking. We are far from professional, and our ratings of trails and the like are geared more for the people who are just starting out. With that being said, here was our trip from June 18th, 2014.

We got a late start, as often we do, because of the threat of rain. We opted for Meadow Run Trail in Ohiopyle State Park and a hike to the Cascades. The trailhead is located just down from the park office. You also have the option of starting at Cucumber Falls or at the Natural Slide area which will give you a longer hike.
Take the trail at the top of the parking area to get started. We managed to get 1/2 mile in before the thunderstorm chased us back to the main Ohiopyle Falls area to wait out the storm.
Back on the trail again, it was everything a new hiker would expect, a dirt path through the woods. It was only a slight grade on the way out, without much in the way of roots or rocks.

Every source you look at will say that this trail is approximately 3 miles in length, but that is only if you start and finish at the Cucumber Falls parking area. Our hike came in at 2.1 miles according to the MapMyHike app.



The payoff for this short hike is a full width "waterfall" across Meadow Run. While it had rained the day we were there, I'm sure that during the spring runoff, it would be much more dramatic. Even still, the view and the journey are both an easy and worthwhile trip.

Best cascade (sorry...wrong camera with me this day
 

 Easy hike at the largest Pennsylvania State  Park. Over 79 miles of trails including sections of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (which is a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail), and the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail.



Right before the natural waterslides.











Easily done in under an hour, not counting the time to sightsee. The trail was well marked and well defined. Not much traffic, we were there on a Wednesday, except for a local church youth group. The waterslide area, where the trail loop ends, was much more busy. Next time maybe I'll try the slide.

Visit during the week if you can, as the park receives 1.5 million visitors a year.

The goal of Pennsylvania was to have a state park within 25 miles of everyone, no matter where you are in the State. We're close to that! Even if I'm the only one who ever reads this, at least I know that I've seen sights that only a choice few have seen. I've taken the initiative to walk miles into the woods and I've been rewarded for it in many ways, and I will continue to do it for as long as I'm able....and I will encourage everyone else to do it at least once.

Next trip....Trough Creek State Park


"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks"-John Muir