Little Falls (Nolde State Forest)

Little Falls, originally uploaded by Berks_Awhile.

I believe our Nolde State Forest visit was the last fall foliage outing for 2009. Sadly, the leaves were pummeled by rain and wind so their colorful show was short-lived.

Once again another cloudy day actually turned sunny in the last 15 minutes of my visit.

Max and I were on the clock and had to leave by 2:00PM, so it would just be a few highlight like the steam (Watershed Trail), stone walls, Kissinger Road and the Mansion.

By no means is this list complete. Some really excellent and unique trails are the Coffee Pot Hollow Trail, Middle Road, and Laurel Path to name a few. The North Pond and Painted Turtle Pond are great subjects too.

Coincidentally, on this Sunday, the Mansion was offering tours from 1-4P. I would love to take a tour sometime, but didn't think dogs were welcome so I passed. (Their event calendar shows 12/6/09 open house again)

Nolde Forest (Early Summer Morning)

A couple reasons to get out in the mornings are for the fabulous hazy back lighting and it's a bit cooler before the oppressive heat and humidity arrive.

Max and I were some of the first ones at the Saw Mill Parking along SR625. This is the only place to park along SR625 for the main road was gated, as usual in the early AM.

We headed out along the Angelica Creek to the North Pond. Morning reflections were rich on the pond. Nolde is popular with joggers for we saw about a dozen trail runners.

Back-tracking along the creek we walked the paved road then ducked into the woods where a set of stone steps leads up a steep unmarked trail to the mansion.

The mansion is a cool old building with a small garden and pond. An impressive display of stone-work, the old mansion is truly a landmark to be preserved.

Chestnut Tree Trail was the next route for I wanted to visit the Painted Turtle Pond too. The wildflower collection and pond creatures are the draw and did not disappoint.

After about two hours of exploration, we headed out. Probably about 2 miles of trails were covered.

Nolde Forest

What an exhilarating morning hike through the hills of Nolde Forest. It was a chilly, foggy 40 and we got to the Saw Mill parking area by 8:30AM. Max & I walked along Angelica Creek or the Watershed Trail up Sheerland Trail, then hop on Beech Trail down to the North Pond.

The ascent from North Pond up Beech Trail to Coffee Pot Hollow Trail is easily a mile in distance but far from easy with over a 400 vertical elevation change. I might have started the day with a ski cap and gloves but shortly into hill climb, they came off as my core heated up.

My recommendation is to take your time and enjoy this trail. It offers big trees, a variety of ferns and other low lying flora. The sun crested above the ridge and offered dramatic back-lighting photo ops. It was too dark for any macros or close-up shots, but they are definitely there for another time.

Near the top I noticed an unmarked "shortcut" trail that I presumed would lead me to the Boulevard Trail. We followed the Boulevard Trail to the Rock Outcrop, paused and then headed down the Ridge Trail. At it's lowest point, I found another unmarked "shortcut" that led down a gully to another leg of the Boulevard Trail. Perfect! My goal was to finish the outing on the Watershed Trail which runs parallel to the Blvd for this stretch and leads back to the parking lot.

I was impressed with Max lately for endurance seemed at an all time high. He showed no signs of being tired even though we just hiked over 3 miles.