After hiking Alpha Pass and Kildoo Loop, I followed the advice from Tom, maintenance with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and hiked Hell’s Hollow. I passed the parking lot at first because it’s right after the one-lane bridge, and I was more concerned with oncoming traffic than looking to my left! I feel more lost looking for trailheads and parking than I ever do along a trail, even if I go off-trail. 🙂
Once parked, I headed toward Hell’s Hollow Falls. The trail to the falls is short (1.2 miles out and back), flat, and very easy to hike. This would be an excellent hike for families with small children or any adventurer who doesn’t want to expend a lot of energy for a beautiful view. Spend as much time as you want, though. You’ll find a bench before the falls to enjoy the sounds of the waterfall or perhaps a picnic. In my case, waterfall and snowfall! https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/hells-hollow-trail
The trail follows Hell’s Run, the stream that courses through a natural rock flume and cascades over the rocks at the end. On this frigid day, icicles hung like translucent fangs from the stream bank’s mouth. I ❤ monsters and see them everywhere. 😉 And, of course, I had to hike Hell’s Hollow, simply for name’s sake, which may have stemmed from the stream disappearing underground into Hell presumed. https://uncoveringpa.com/how-to-get-to-hells-hollow-falls
You see teeth too, don’t you?
Winter has a way of changing the landscape more than the pastel blooms in spring or the blaze of ochre, rust, orange, and reds of autumn. Snow and ice mute such vibrancy. Winter’s white veil hides the face of the land, and you can’t quite be sure of your step. As you wander into the naked wood, you hear the crunch of your footfall, and it sounds like bones being gnawed. Deciduous trees raise gnarly branches like gaunt arms of hungry giants reaching everywhere, for anything. Especially you.
Winter has a way of reminding you of danger and death. A hush barely more audible than the grave pervades the air. Its cold could nip off fingers and toes or cradle you into the darkest sleep; its frozen maw could crack open and swallow you whole. Not to mention, you could slip on icy rocks or those steps that lead down to the waterfall.
But, winter has a way of showcasing the beauty of nature you can find no other season. The ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.
I only half jested with “the frozen maw could crack open and swallow you whole.” The area is pitted with sinkholes, formed as the limestone beneath the surface dissolves (basically eaten away by acidic water) and causes a collapse of the material above. Caves and the Hell Run rock flume form in the same manner–the dissolution of limestone (dolomite in other regions). The fact Hell’s Run vanishes from the surface and flows underneath provides additional evidence this is a karst landscape. https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/cave/karst.html https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/karst-landscapes.htm
Which means I’ll go cave hunting later! 🙂
Despite recommendations to hike to Hell’s Hollow Falls April to November, I say visit in the winter, with snow and ice abounding! It’s outstanding. 🙂 I did continue on the Slippery Rock Gorge trail after and hiked 2 miles into Hell Run Valley and back. Eventually I’ll do the entire Slippery Rock Gorge trail and report on it. Until then, enjoy my view of Hell’s Hollow Falls.
McConnells Mill and covered bridge. Highlight for many visitors. Photo by Teri A. Jacobs Jan. 2019
McConnells Mill State Park (PA) boasts 11.2 miles of hiking trails, mostly rugged and rocky. On my first visit to this state park, I hiked 4/4.5 miles, starting and ending at the Alpha Pass trailhead, where I parked. I had intended on only hiking to the Old Mill for a photo, but I continued on to the Kildoo Loop trail. The park website rates this trail as “more difficult” and All Trails (https://www.alltrails.com/) rates it as “moderate.” The trail is rocky, but with good hiking boots and/or hiking poles, you’ll have little difficulty traversing the trail. I never felt winded or needed a rest. My biggest challenge was not overheating because winter hiking is a new activity for me, and I bundled too heavily.
I hadn’t checked out the map for the Kildoo Loop hike because I hadn’t planned on doing more than a quick hike to the mill. So when I hit the end of the trail (without looping back), I didn’t realize I had to cross the bridge to the other side of the Slippery Rock Creep to loop back to the mill. But, I saw a trail sign on the other side. I’d ended up meeting a DCNR ranger, Tom (who I saw again on another hike–check back for that post!), who answered my questions about other trails leading the other way (Slippery Rock Gorge trail). He recommended I check out Hell’s Hollow Falls, and I did. Again, check back with me! 🙂 https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/McConnellsMillStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx
While I have a bias towards alpine and canyonland trails in the Western and Southwestern states, I admit this hike ranks high as a newfound favorite and tops any forest or gorge trail I’ve ever done. The reason is simple: the wild Slippery Rock Creek accompanied me the entire way. You’re not just trudging over rocks and branches, with only rocks and branches and trees in your line of sight–mind you, pleasing nonetheless. But, you have roaring, rushing rapids. As a kayaker, I longed to paddle the whitewater, to enjoy every bubbling and boiling bit, and, thus, the Slippery Rock Creek kept me enthralled in awe and envy every step of the way.
Usually I hike toward a sight at the end of the trail: Waterfalls, lakes, rock formations, petroglyphs, vistas. However, the white-capped emerald waters were the ever-present, spectacular sights and sounds. Joy mimicked the Slippery Rock Creek, swelling, quickening, flowing through me. The sheer pleasure I experienced during this hike has little comparison. No place with similar landscape in Red River Gorge (KY) or Hocking Hills (OH) has kept me in this continual state of hiker’s high. Hike it (you should!!), and let me know if you agree or disagree. Not everyone will have the same admiration for the tributary as I do. Although you’ll find interesting geologic formations along Alpha Pass and Kildoo Loop, the small stream usurps all the glory. 🙂 Even when not wild…
When I graduated in August 2017 with a Ph.D. in environmental geography and specialization in conservation biogeography, I never expected I would live full-time in a 15-foot travel trailer and not have a full-time career in 2019. I had different aspirations: nature conservation education. I didn’t want the tenure path at the university so I was/am content to teach as an adjunct professor. What I really wanted was to educate the public about the “wonders of [] life and the importance of conservation” (to borrow from WAVE Foundation’s mission statement, a non-profit organization at Newport Aquarium where I had volunteered, interned, written the interactive storybooks about their ambassador animals, and finally obtained a paid position as a conservation educator). However, the Universe had a different path for me.
It seems my path will be literal–hiking trails. 🙂
Granted, I will not hike 24-7, nor could I even if I wanted to. However, we’ve found a temporary home for us and our travel trailer at a campground nearby Moraine and McConnells Mill State Parks, where I will wander into wonder as often as possible. We lucked into finding an available campground (with facilities and WiFi, even) within an hour drive of Shane’s work. The majority of campgrounds close from the end of October until the beginning of April. As the owner told me over the phone when I booked the reservation (we pay monthly rates), camping in the winter is rough. Our first adventure as full-time campers started in December, though I didn’t join him until after the New Year. We’ve already had to make adjustments for warmth and surviving winter.
1) Shane insulated around the bottom of the camper.
2) Shane insulated the inside of the camper by hanging grey wool blankets over the 3 windows. Otherwise, you felt the cold seep into your bones.
3) We use a small electric space heater instead of relying on the propane furnace. Water vapor is a by-product of burning propane as fuel, and, with the frigid outside air, condensation would build inside the camper. However, the space heater eliminates that potential problem and keeps us toasty warm. 🙂 Sometimes a little too toasty. Something I never thought I’d say in the winter.
As you may note in the image above, we have a full sized mattress. We opted to redesign the living space so we didn’t have to make a bed every night and unmake it every morning. Shane works long hours nearly every day; I have physical limitations and would end up dislocating my shoulder no doubt moving everything every day (I partially dislocated my shoulder dancing by myself, soooo…). Not to mention, I would end up hurting myself on that uncomfortable-to-me pad. However, a full-time mattress means less moving around space. We’re left with ~20 inches exposed of the original seat/mattress pad to sit on for meals. I’ve added a gel foam cushion and the decorative pillow for support (not pictured: my daypack and knee pillow for side sleeping behind decorative pillow that fill the space).
We modified the kitchen as well. Since I love to cook and Shane loves to tinker with things, he built shelves for me to store spices and teas. He also added a magnetic strip to the wall near sink for knives, and I put up sticky hooks for my cooking utensils. In a 15-ft. travel trailer, space is very, very limited. I’m actually not sure some of my friends can even fit inside. They’re giants; I’m a Hobbit, as evidenced by the fact I have second breakfast, elevenses, lunch, and afternoon tea/snack. 🙂 https://moteefe.com/the-second-breakfast-club
Finished Project!
You’ll find lots of tips on Pinterest for small space storage–the magnetic strip for knives stemmed from such a search. I’d actually created a “The Wanderful Life” board that inspired the name of this blog site. I’ll eventually figure out how to pin my blog and associated images. 🙂 Find my board here: https://www.pinterest.com/teriajacobs/the-wanderful-life/
My first week in the camper has mostly been settling in, organizing all the things I brought that made Shane laugh the second he saw my packed car. He knew the struggle it would be to fit things. I actually still have pantry items in my car, as well as two pair of hiking boots, two hiking hats (one for sunny hiking, the other rainy hiking), and my trekking poles (godsends to those who have bad knees, hips, etc.). But, I did store most of the things. We have one undersink cabinet and two drawers in kitchen. Under the bed, we have storage space on one side. Additionally we store things under the mattress.
We have two camp plates and two camp bowls because I needed cooking ware. We just need to do dishes often.
Holds cloth napkins and wash cloth
I fit in here. 🙂
I brought all my small baking ware! We bought a small food processor too.
Flour and sugars stored in reused plastic containers from my protein powder.
The Instant Pot wouldn’t fit inside the door. Like some of my friends wouldn’t fit inside the camper. And I need a step stool to reach some things still. But, Walmart carried a collapsible one that stores well and serves as my foot stool too. Not pictured in this: my protein powder. You can see it in the image above, but clearly I had to make myself a protein drink after working so hard to organize and store everything. Note the plywood Shane used to construct a bedframe for mattress support. He’s so handy. ❤
It must be noted I’ve bumped my head multiple times every day as I get things out. I may be concussed. So if this is a rambling blog, I blame the brain bruises. Speaking of bruises, I bruise easily since I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). I swear you can look at me, and I’ll bruise. 🙂 But, last night the bathroom door shut on my leg, and I have a purplish love bite from the door and shower edge on my ankle.
I had one other bathroom problem: I…ummm…pooped (all animals poop! LOL) and couldn’t find the toilet paper. At first. And then…
See where Shane left the toilet paper? The view from the toilet.
This occurred because, even though we have a shower, we haven’t used it. The water heater never worked (on a brand new camper. Grrr! We’re not sure where the fault lies, but I’m guessing since Camping World, where we purchased the Geo Pro, closed down, and the technicians who would be unemployed didn’t care about the last camper sold.). Until we have it repaired under warranty, we’ve been carting our toiletries to the campground facilities. The building is chilly, and you can shower with only hot water and not boil yourself at all. Roughing it, for sure. If I pretend I’m camping though, this is a luxury since we backpack and never have a shower. I’d carried dirty dishes to their bathrooms as well but have since used my kettle to boil water for washing dishes in our sink. We have wills and ways. 😉
After unpacking the cold foods, I organized the next priority. LOL
My plans for this blog will be weekly updates on full-time camper living, including posts about camper cooking and wandering into wonder. I will create a separate post with photos from the few hikes I have done. I believe this may be too long as it is. But, you tell me! What would you like to know?? I am rather isolated in the campground. Only 7 other campers here and I’m the only one present during the day since I don’t work outside the camper. Please leave comments or start a discussion because I might need some company other than…
Welcome to my Wanderful Life! Please join me on my new adventure in full-time camper living, where I will share all the trials and tribulations of cohabitating in a 15-foot Forest River Geo Pro travel trailer and wandering into the wonder of nature.
The Wanderful Life 