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Boulder Field
Hawk Falls 
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Hickory Run State Park is located near the intersection of I-80 and I-476 (Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike) in Pennsylvania's Poconos. It's a great state park with several streams, a lake, fishing, disc golf, camping, and lots of trails. This hike did two of the trails, Boulder Field (7 miles) and Hawk Falls (3 miles). Boulder Field As the name implies, this is a field carpeted not with flowers and grass but with boulders or as Carrie called them, "pebbles." Most were bowling ball sized, with some over 20 feet. These boulders came courtesy of the last Ice Age, left by the retreating glaciers. Dimensions of the field are 400 ft wide x 1800 ft long x >12 ft deep. Elevation gain is 560 feet, but you barely notice it - it's a slight uphill from the parking lot the whole way and a slight downhill on the way back. Follow the yellow blaze. Hawk Falls This is a 25 foot waterfall that you can check out from both top and bottom. Best time to hike here is late June when the rhododendrons are in bloom. Part of the trail literally goes through a tunnel of them. The hike from the parking lot to Hawk Falls is only a few minutes or 3/4 mile round trip. However, we continued on the yellow blazed Orchard Trail up a ridge (elevation gain this way is 440 feet) to a camping area and then back to the parking lot, making a nice loop trail. Difficulty Boulder Field is fairly easy (other than the length and then walking on the boulders once you arrive). The Orchard Trail is a little more strenuous with some ups and downs. However, we had one person who had never hiked before and she had no problems.Directions Hickory Run is best reached by taking I-80. Take the first exit (#274) west of I-476 (northeast extension of the PA Turnpike), conveniently labeled Hickory Run State Park. (If you are coming from the turnpike, follow the sign for I-80 and not the sign for Hickory Run - I-80 is easier!) After exiting I-80, head east on Route 534 (left if you were on I-80 west) for nearly 10 miles. You'll pass quite a few signs for various parking lots, campgrounds, the park office, etc. Your destination is just pass a major overhead bridge (I-476). There are two parking lots, one on either side of the road. Park at either one. If you want a park map, stop at the park office first to pick one up. Both hikes depart from these parking lots, so no need to move your car. |