FIRST and most important, I hope everyone is well! Under the circumstances, I believe my opening greeting’s most important word is HOPE. I can’t ever remember times like these, when there are so many different ways of having one’s life totally disrupted simultaneously, with no quick resolution in sight!! The only thing giving me a little peace is that we are ALL in this. I believe that one fact will lead to a solution!!

The other issue which I am sure makes us uncomfortable is we tend to get together and try to help each other out but here we are ordered to stay separated for our safety and that of others!!

The below described trip, I isolated myself by getting out and away at Van Campens Upper Glen at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area!! Think of it, our park lands throughout the country are some of the only places remaining open. During your visit, you might actually experience a “Normal Experience”! It’s a great way to temporarily try to forget all that is going on!!

This gives yourself a needed break, some exercise AND some fresh air!! For now, winter browns are still the dominant hues until you enter this enchanted site along the stream, deep in the glen Then greens and other colors of this different ecosystem take over and transform your visit!!

THE TRIP

The Upper Glen at Van Campens Glen in the Delaware Water Gap, just like the Lower Glen, has a special lighting/high-lighting effect, created by sunlight broken into mini sunrays as they gently filter through the thick canopy. Add a gentle breeze and a moving light show begins, creating flickers of light over everything in the glen!

Just as the lighting is ever changing, so is the flow of the brook! Upstream from the pool, Van Campens Brook tumbles over rocky cascades and then races along red sandstone chutes as it flows down into the glen. Water enters the pool and suddenly all movement seems to abate, a repose in the mirror-like pool. The water at the far edge of the pool, as if rested and now restless, bursts again into its journey, dropping over a ledge with a fanfare of spray and mist, entering into a series of cascades within a narrow rock lined chasm, finally splashing over the Upper Glen Water Falls.

A short walk from the parking area and we come to a small bridge crossing the stream, from this point the stream enters the glen and we begin our visit on the Yellow Trail. One feature I like about this trail is that the stream drops into the glen quickly leaving you on the trail fairly high above it, then you descend down to stream level. You walk literally alongside the stream for a while (sandstone chute area) and then suddenly the stream drops quickly again and the whole scenario repeats itself! 

An almost fairy tale setting is created by the mixing of all the different physical attributes of this glen. The steep and narrow slopes covered with lush vegetation, along with the rushing water, cascading down rocky shoots tumbling over many small falls and landing into pristine pools of water. All of this is amid tall pine trees among hardwood trees whose tops form a canopy that filters out the bright sunlight allowing only bursts of sunrays to highlight whatever they fall upon. This is a special journey!

This trip was taken on Wednesday, March 18, last week. This is not a long hike and it is really not covering a lot of steep up and downs (there is a stairway which bypasses the deep chasm and falls area). 

My game plan was to hike through the Upper Glen as described and just keep going into the Lower Glen. Began my journey through the lower glen and came to the stairway taking you up and along the steep slope high above the brook as it continues its journey through the bottom of the glen.  Gradually you make your way back down to where you are alongside the brook just above the Lower Glen’s Falls. The brook continues and you must now go down a set of rock stairs which gets you back to walking alongside the water.  The rock stairs just described had a tree across them and the Park Service has the area closed – no safe way around. I mention this so you may plan your trip and save yourself some ups and downs with a forced turnaround mid trail!!

I suggest you do the Upper Glen down to the small pond and base of the waterfall and then return – a great in and out!!!  Keep in mind, this trail is close to the water at times and may be slippery because of dampness, moss, etc. While not a difficult hike, you need to keep your wits about you!! 

FYI – The Lower Glen has its own parking and access area, HOWEVER that has been officially closed by a gate across the roadway and signage!!  Keep the Lower Glen in mind (a wonderful visit) for a future visit, but for the time being make other plans!!

Please visit my Flickr site for Upper Glen Spring visit

Please visit my Flickr site for Upper Glen winter snow visit

Hope my visit and presentation may give you a pleasant respite along with giving you a suggestion for creating some nice mini trips when you need a break but also need to remain isolated!!

Enjoy your open space!

Charlie Fineran