For some odd reason, there are not many waterfalls in the north western Pa region. Just across the state line to the north, in NY there are many, but the area around, and in the Allegheny National Forest there just are not many waterfalls to be found.

Hector's Falls is one of the few, and one of the nicest to visit.

Our adventure group likes to do a special hike on Superbowl Sunday each year, and this year our Superbowl Sunday hike was to Hector's Falls. The most spectacular waterfalls in the Allegheny National Forest.

Sunday Feb 3rd- Hector's Falls!

Our Annual Superbowl Sunday hike this year (feb 3rd) went to Hector's Falls, south of Ludlow in the ANF.

It was a great day for a hike! This hike was Bill, Carla, Porscha, Karen, Ed, Walt and I, seven of us all together, or 10 including our three dogs. A smaller than expected turn out, it was too bad for those who missed it! It was perfect weather! The weather was just warm enough to be very comfortable when hiking. And due to the melting snow, and warmer weather we had last week, there was enough water going over the falls to make it well worth the while to visit! In fact, it was the most frozen I have ever seen the falls. It had a very nice ice column and lots of ice sickles.

We had a very slow, easy, short hike in. Then some of us took some photos, and then we split up a bit.

Some of us went exploring the cave there, and some wandered around the boulder field taking more photos.

Carla took a fall inside the cave while taking a picture of Porscha and I. She did just like in the cartoons ... kept walking back to get a wider view and stepped off a rock! Luckily she didn't get hurt, but I'll bet she has a black and blue as a reminder.

I reminded the group to wear a bathing suit under our clothes as some of us indented to get into, or under the water falls, but the ice column was too massive, and we could not get near open water.  There was no open water to be found.  Something I never seen here before!

After exploring the large boulder field, we all pitched in to build a fire in the fire ring there.   This is what winter hiking is all about! We had a great warm lunch cooked over an open fire, next to one of the most scenic spots in the whole Allegheny National Forest.

I was surprised by the lack of litter. One of the first times we did not find a bunch of beer cans or bottles laying around. I also noticed that the trail into the falls area was improved from last year. 

To find Hector's Falls, you head south out of Ludlow on Rt 133 or as the locals call it the CCC road. Then take 258 or again as the locals call it "The Firetower Road".  About two miles down the Firetower Road you will see 258H on your left. Park here (a small parking lot) and hike downhill.  In under a mile or so you will come to a very prominent  turn that drops down to the left.  On this particular trip our turn was marked by a very large pair of "grandma panties" (for lack of a better term!).   I'm not sure if this is a cost saving measure by the forestry trail marking crew or what!! It was just strange to see large undergarments strung between two trees as a trail marker.  Once you find the left turn you go down the trail, until there is a gas well head on your left. There you will find a more narrow foot trail on your right. It follows the creek to your left a short way until you find yourself above the falls.  

It's a downhill walk from where you park, all the way to the falls.

 After we finished our lunch and before we packed up, another two couples and a dog showed up.  A busy day for this "hidden gem" in the ANF.

The hike back out was a good workout since it's uphill all the way from the falls, back to the cars. It's not a big change in elevation, but just a constant one.

After our hike to the falls, Carla, Porscha, Bill, and myself went to the site of an abandon (and removed) fire tower.  This road (258) was previously named "The Firetower Road" and we visited the site of the now removed fire tower. The four cornerstones are there (foot pads) as well as two Benchmarks (Geological survey markers).

What a great day for a short winter hike! It felt more like a warm spring day. We had a very super hike on this Superbowl Sunday and we were all back home hours before the Superbowl started.

Please visit Allegheny Outdoor Adventures for more adventures.

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