PA Hiking/Biking Trails

Hiking the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run Loop at Ricketts Glen

This collage features four diverse scenes from the Mountain Springs - Cherry Run loop in Ricketts Glen State Park during winter. Upper left: a wooden trail sign against a snowy path. Upper right: a lively stream meandering through a snowy forest. Lower left: a series of small, icy cascades framed by rock ledges. Lower right: a peaceful snowy trail flanked by tall evergreens, inviting exploration.

If you’re looking for information about hiking the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run Loop at Ricketts Glen State Park, you’re in the right place!

The Mountain Springs - Cherry Run Loop Hike highlighted on a Ricketts Glen State Park map. — The Mountain Springs – Cherry Run Loop Hike highlighted on a Ricketts Glen State Park map.

While the Falls Trail loop often steals the spotlight, the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run loop is arguably the SECOND best loop hike at Ricketts Glen State Park.

A trail sign at Ricketts Glen State Park pointing to Mountain Springs Rd. and Cherry Run along a snowy path. The sign, set against a backdrop of evergreen trees, indicates the trail directions with bright yellow lettering. A fresh layer of snow blankets the ground, while the overcast sky adds a serene and wintry mood to the forest scene. — The Mountain Springs – Cherry Run loop is a 5.3 mile hike.

This 5.3 mile hike presents a quieter, more secluded experience with plenty of cascades, small waterfalls, and towering hemlocks to enjoy along the way.

A photo of Little Cherry Run Trail Cascades at Ricketts Glen State Park. A series of small waterfalls flow over dark, slick rocks amidst a forest of trees with trunks coated in vibrant green moss. The ground is scattered with patches of melting snow, hinting at the transition between seasons. Fallen branches and the texture of the flowing water add a dynamic element to the otherwise serene woodland landscape. — Cascades along Cherry Run.

Best of all, the moderate difficulty of this hike means that while the Falls Trail is closed over the winter to all but registered hikers with specialized gear, you can enjoy the stunning natural beauty along the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run Loop year-round.

A close-up view of a trail notice sign at Ricketts Glen State Park. The sign states that the Falls Trail is closed to all except registered ice climbers and properly equipped and experienced hikers with the minimum required equipment, which includes crampons, ice axe, and rope. Additional information and registration are available at the park office. A 'No Hunting' sign is also visible in the background, with a snow-covered ground and winter-bare trees surrounding the area. — The Falls Trail is closed over the winter to all but registered hikers with specialized gear.

Mapping out the Hike

This loop hike begins and ends at the Beach Lot #2 parking lot.

Parking area for the hike to the abandoned Lake Leigh Dam at Ricketts Glen State Park. — Parking area for the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run loop hike at Ricketts Glen State Park.

If you’re unfamiliar with this lot, it’s located a mile east of the park office, near the rental cabins and Beach #2 on Lake Jean (see map below).

The first park of this hike follows the same 0.6 mile forest road I describe in my article about hiking to the abandoned Lake Leigh Dam at Ricketts Glen.

The Mountain Springs - Cherry Run Loop Hike highlighted on a Ricketts Glen State Park satellite map. — Satellite view of the trail route.

The story behind why this dam was built and how it would have drastically altered what we know as Ricketts Glen State Park today is an interesting tale in and of itself.

The abandoned Lake Leigh Dam at Ricketts Glen State Park was constructed with the intention of generating hydroelectric power.

Passing the abandoned dam, you’ll continue along the Mountain Springs Trail, which in many places runs right along or very close to Bowman’s Creek and it’s numerous cascades.

A serene winter scene along the Mountain Springs - Cherry Run loop at Ricketts Glen State Park, showcasing a gentle cascade flowing over layered slate rocks into a still pool that reflects a mesmerizing swirl of foam. Tall, slender trees, their trunks darkened with moisture, rise from the snow-dappled earth, standing as silent sentinels over the tranquil waters. The contrast between the motion of the stream and the stillness of the snow-covered landscape evokes a sense of peaceful solitude. — Cascades along Bowman’s Creek.

You’ll continue along the Mountain Springs Trail until it intersects with the Little Chery Run Trail; here you’ll bear left and follow that trail uphill along Cherry Run.

A trail sign at Ricketts Glen State Park indicating the direction to Little Cherry Run Trail, with a snowy path leading into the forest. The sign features icons for hiking and no horses, suggesting the trail is for pedestrian use only. The forest floor is covered with a thin layer of snow, interspersed with brown leaves and rocks, and the bare trees create a sparse canopy overhead, with evergreens providing a touch of color. — Little Cherry Run Trail.

This may be the most picturesque portion of the entire hike, as Cherry Run is essentially and endless series of cascades.

A dynamic cascade in Ricketts Glen State Park, captured along the Mountain Springs - Cherry Run loop. Water forcefully flows over a natural staircase of rugged, layered stone, bordered by snow-covered rocks and sparse winter vegetation. The overcast sky softly illuminates the scene, highlighting the contrast between the snow's quiet stillness and the waterfall's relentless motion, conveying the raw beauty of nature in winter. — Cascades on Cherry Run.

Footbridges similar to those along the Falls Trail guide you back and forth across Cherry Run as you continue a gradual uphill ascent.

A wooden bridge crosses Little Cherry Run Trail amidst a winter setting in Ricketts Glen State Park. The bridge, with its sturdy railings, provides a crossing over the stream, which flows gently through the snow-dotted landscape. Large, flat rocks and boulders line the creek, some peeking through the snow, showing signs of the cold yet tranquil environment. Bare trees arch over the scene, completing this picturesque winter tableau. — Bridge over Cherry Run.

Once you reach the top of the plateau, you’ll encounter an intersection with the Cherry Run Trail; here you’ll bear left and follow it back in the direction of the abandoned Lake Leigh Dam.

A snow-covered trail at Ricketts Glen State Park with directional wooden signs pointing towards 'Lake Leigh 2.0' and 'Mtn. Springs Rd. 2.6.' The signs are set among a wintry forest landscape, with trees bare of leaves and the ground blanketed in snow. The quiet, dormant woods convey a sense of peaceful navigation through the park's trails in the cold season. — Cherry Run Trail.

This portion of the hike is essentially flat and crosses some small streams along the hike back towards the trailhead.

A natural trail in Ricketts Glen State Park marked by a yellow blaze on a tree trunk, leading to a simple wooden footbridge over a small stream. The forest floor is partially covered with snow, reflecting the quiet of a winter day. Evergreen trees provide a splash of green against the white and brown backdrop, creating a serene and inviting path for hikers in the park. — Cherry Run trail bridge.

Once you reach Lake Leigh Dam, it’s a simple matter of retracing your steps the final 0.6 miles back to the Beach #2 parking lot, where this hike started.

The abandoned Lake Leigh Dam towers more than 30 feet above the surrounding terrain at Ricketts Glen State Park.

If you have the time, it’s worth crossing the parking lot and having a look at Beach #2, especially when Lake Jean is frozen over in the winter.

A winter scene at Lake Jean near the Mountain Springs - Cherry Run loop in Ricketts Glen State Park. An overturned aluminum rowboat rests on a snowy dock, with the icy surface of the lake stretching into the distance. The surrounding landscape is quiet and subdued, with leafless trees lining the far shore under a pale, overcast sky. Patches of snow and ice on the ground near the dock hint at the cold, still atmosphere of the season. — Frozen Lake Jean at Ricketts Glen State Park.

Final Thoughts

While the Falls Trail loop is the jewel in the crown of Ricketts Glen State Park, the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run loop is its hidden gem, offering a different kind of reward—a sense of discovery, a moment of solitude, and a connection with the quieter side of nature.

A snow-covered trail winds through a dense evergreen forest in Ricketts Glen State Park, part of the Mountain Springs - Cherry Run loop. The trail is dotted with stones and surrounded by tall pine trees that reach upwards, their branches holding a dusting of snow. This tranquil path invites hikers into the quiet solitude of the winter woods, offering a peaceful escape into nature. — Hemlocks along Mountain Springs Trail.

Here, the waterfalls may be more humble, but they sing just as sweetly.

An image of Lake Leigh Falls along Kitchen Creek in Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania. The waterfall cascades over dark, wet shale ledges, surrounded by winter-bare trees with branches dusted in snow. Icicles hang from the rocky outcrops, and patches of snow cling to the edges of the creek, where the rushing water has resisted the freeze. The peaceful yet powerful presence of the waterfall contrasts with the stillness of the surrounding snowy landscape. — Waterfall below Lake Leigh Dam.

So when you visit Ricketts Glen, consider the “trail less traveled”, and you may find that the Mountain Springs – Cherry Run loop was the hike you’ve been seeking all along!

A lively stream cascades down the rocky terrain along the Mountain Springs - Cherry Run loop at Ricketts Glen State Park. The surrounding woods are partially covered with snow, highlighting the rough textures of stones and the rugged beauty of the winter landscape. The creek's water is crystal clear, flowing energetically over and around the snow-draped rocks, flanked by slender trees with their bare branches reaching towards the sky. — Cherry Run.

Nearby Attractions

Exploring the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park is my comprehensive guide to enjoying the most famous waterfall hike in Pennsylvania.

Adams Falls is the easiest-to-reach waterfall at Ricketts Glen, located just off of Route 118 along the Evergreen Trail.

The multiple tiers of Adams Falls at Ricketts Glen.

Maple Spring Falls is a 15 foot-tall, off-trail waterfall at Ricketts Glen State Park.

Maple Spring Falls at Ricketts Glen State Park.

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