Brodhead Watershed Assn. Stairway Lake Hike July 23 In Pike County

The Brodhead Watershed Association will host another in its series of Get Outdoors Poconos hikes on July 23 to Stairway Lake in the Delaware State Forest in Pike County.

High atop a ridge in Delaware State Forest, is Stairway Lake. Along with the lake are panoramic views of the Delaware River, memorable cliffside camping sites and abundant flora and fauna.

Two guided hikes will be led to Stairway Lake – one challenging, one a bit easier – at 1,100 feet in elevation.

Carol Hillestad will lead a moderately challenging hike of about 3.5 miles; naturalist Patti O’Keefe will head a more moderate hike of about 3.25 miles.

The hiking distance doesn’t differ much between the two, but the steeper one is a little rougher, a little rockier, and a lot wetter. Whichever route they choose, hikers will be glad they made the effort.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources just added the Stairway Lake area to its State Forest Wild Areas Program.

Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch or snack to enjoy beside the lake, where blue-flag iris blooms beside beaver constructions. The ridgetop view takes in a long meander of the Delaware River and across the steep valley below, laying out the world at a hiker’s feet.

Meet at trailheads on Bluestone Boulevard in Westfall Township. From Milford center, take Route 6 east for 2.7 miles to Cummins Hill Road (unmarked, on the left). Take Cummins Hill Road under Route 84 – 4 miles to Bluestone Boulevard (also unmarked). Go right on Bluestone six-tenths of a mile for the more challenging hike to parking on the left; or go 1.1 miles for the easier hike, also on the left.

The hike is free, but registration is required. For more information on the hike, call 570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727 or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.

For information about this and other hikes in the Poconos, visit the Get Outdoors Poconos webpage.