The Indians called this gorge "Teeahdotten," the river of pines.  This "grand canyon" is part of the endless forested mountains of northern Pennsylvania.  Always a magnificent area to visit and hike. 
    
In June of 2008 my son, son-in-law and I decided to hike the short trails on both sides of the valley for comparison.  The west side, Colton Point Park, evidences more of the CCC work of the 1930s, is less traveled, and is neglected making it more interesting.  The distance, round trip, is three pretty steep miles.  In some places the path is only 12 inches wide and right next to a drop off.  Wet leaves on those areas make it interesting.







   
The trail passes a fine cascading falls, and there is a nicely diverse undergrowth all along the was.
  


    
My son was having problems with his knee so decided to wade the river and meet us when we hiked down the other side, so back up Turkey Path the two of us trekked, drove around to the well traveled east side and started hiking down the valley once more.








Lots of people were at the top of the Leonard Harrison Park taking in the vista but the well kept trail was not crowded.  The distance down and back on this side is only two miles, with a wide path, and much of the bottom half of the trail consists of wooden steps, about 280 of them (below).
   
  


At the bottom there is a wide path (above right) that runs the distance of the valley and we met quite a few walkers and cyclers.

Over all, we enjoyed both short hikes and the magnificent forest and falls.  If you are in the area, do it.

                                            
   
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                                       Here are some other hiking adventures

               ► Go on a 16.4 mile hike up Half Dome in the breathtaking Yosemite Valley
    
              ► Hiking the big island of Hawai'i allows you to see it's unique beauty up close

               ► Here is the most popular hike in the Mid-Atlantic region:  Old Rag, Virginia
   
              ► Try hiking Ricketts Glen in Pennsylvania where there are 22 waterfalls
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              Visits:  Hit Counter     Hiking Half Done, Yosemite Valley
                   Photographs © 2008, Elton D. Hannaman
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