I am at my computer this past Saturday and wondering, “What will be my Photo of the Week article?” 

Let’s go to my archives! I begin perusing through my Worthington State Forest photo archives.  Come across an album titled Sunfish Pond Overflow Trail/Stream.  INSTANT MEMORIES! This was one of my favorite places! A favorite place not just to enjoy as a visit, BUT, also to get me up to Sunfish Pond in the quickest time! (IMPORTANT NOTE:  There is no trail anymore going along the stream from the parking area at Douglass Recreation Area up to Rockcores Trail.

The Park Service wants you to use Garvey Springs Trail or Douglass Trail to go up the mountain to Sunfish Pond).  Just for your information, The Overflow Stream from Old Mine Road up to Rockcores Trail is a regular above ground stream. Once you get above Rockcores Trail the stream disappears under a rock field in the ravine going up the mountain. This article will give you a pretty good idea of what the Overflow Stream looks like from Sunfish Pond down to Rockcores Trail – a truly interesting experience and view!

MODUS OPERANDI

I checked my old email archives and found this message about one of my journeys up the Overflow Stream.  I copied – edited – and pasted the following.

Hi Everybody:

Our trip begins at the Douglass Recreation Area parking lot along the Delaware River in Worthington State Forest.  When you leave the parking area headed towards the mountain you will notice a stream and not too far into the woods you can see beautiful Laurel Falls.  On the North side of the stream is Garvey Springs Trail and on the South side is Douglass Trail, both are marked trails and both get you up to Sunfish Pond.  We are going to follow the stream straight up the mountain to Sunfish Pond.  There is an unmarked trail that pretty much follows alongside the stream and it’s ravine from Old Mine Road up to where it meets Rockcores Trail, we cross over to the north side of the stream on Rockcores Trail and then we again begin our ascent literally atop the stream walking on the boulders and rocks that for the most part cover the entire stream!  This is a pretty neat place, a steep sided rocky ravine and as you are hiking up the mountain you hear this pretty impressive stream but you don’t usually see it except for several places where it reveals itself in a couple of very small pools between rocks!! 

I was getting some nice sunlight and shadows with the clouds,  this will be perfect, especially at Sunfish Pond and the views looking West from atop the mountain!  Don’t ya know it, I got to Sunfish Pond and it clouded up!!  It had that November look and feel with the blustery wind and dark gray clouds. Well, no sense hanging around too long with these clouds, I looked around a short while, took my photos and decided to head back down.  I no sooner start back down, and all of a sudden I’m getting sun!!  Those clouds must be moving pretty fast up there because looking into Pennsylvania earlier it looked like a solid cloud cover!  It was still a great visit,  I have been on this trail a bunch of times, it’s always a great visit!

This didn’t turn into that dazzling Autumn Colors trip that I had hoped for, however, I made the attempt, went to a great place and really had a great time!

Hope you enjoy the photos and I hope you get a chance to do your visits, Autumn or otherwise!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director of Open Space

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission

Allamuchy Historical Society – President”

As I stated earlier, this is a special visit, narrow steep wooded gorge, stream completely covered by rocks and you get the sense you are in the middle of nowhere in some rough terrain!!  Sounds like a great visit!!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman

Allamuchy Historical Society – President