Dingmans Falls

Dingmans Falls (12/6/2008)

This out-and-back visits five outstanding waterfalls all within a couple of miles of each other. On the eastern end are the magnificent Dingmans and Silverthread Falls. On the western end are Fulmer, Factory and Deer Leap Falls. Hike #1 ("Dingman Falls") from the book Great Hikes in the Poconos and Northeast Pennsylvania has the trail head on the western end, while hike #6 ("Dingman Falls") from the book Hike Pennsylvania begins on the eastern end. I intended to begin on the eastern end but Johnny B. Mountain Road (yes, that's the name) was closed for the season. Presumably Dingman Falls visitor center is also closed for the season since this road is the only way to get to it. So I drove west and began the hike at Childs Recreation Site.

Amazingly, there are so many waterfalls and cascades, it was difficult to keep them apart and I mistook a major cascade (which is sort of a minor waterfall) for Silverthread Falls. When I got home, I realized it wasn't that waterfall at all. Silverthread is much more impressive, based on photos I found on Google Earth. I hang my head in shame, having "bagged" only four of the five waterfalls on this trek. Oh well, this gives us another reason to go back to this gorgeous area.

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