Buttermilk Falls & Angry Erik Brewing

October 15, 2023hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

NW New Jersey

Visit the Delaware Water Gap Region for a view of New Jersey’s tallest waterfall! You won’t have to go far; it’s right at the trailhead! But if you have the time, I highly recommend this 6.5 mile loop. It’s challenging, but well worth it to experience a beautiful trek through the woods, a stretch on the Appalachian trail, and a lake only accessible by trail. Afterward, head to Hampton Township for robust brew at the viking-inspired Angry Erik Brewing!

THE HIKE: Buttermilk Falls Loop

Length: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,381 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 3 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets,
Parking: Large lot at trailhead, no bathroom facilities, road has no winter
H&H: 5/5

The Delaware Water Gap is a national recreation area managed by the National Park Service. A NRA is a different type of public lands designation with a particular focus on outdoor recreation. Most NRAs are found near urban areas so that they are more accessible to visitors! The 70,000 acre region was designated as NRA in 1975 after long controversy over the building of a dam in the area. Despite having removed families from their land, the government determined that the project was too costly and turned over the property to the NPS for recreation management.

History

The Delaware Water Gap region is the ancestral home of the Lenape people. There are several archaeological sites throughout the region that place the Lenape people in the area as far as 10,000 years ago. The first European settlers in the area were Dutch and French settlers from the Hudson Valley. After contact with the northern Lenape, called Munsee, the settlers named the region Minisink. For more information about the history of the region, see here.

Geology

A water gap is a place where a stream or river has carved a gap through a mountain ridge or range. In this area, the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains, not only forming the gap but also acting as a border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The dramatic region was formed through hundreds of millions of years of water and glacial ice erosion. The river forms a steep gap between the Blue Mountains on the Pennsylvania side and the Kittatinny Ridge on the New Jersey side. Mount Minsi (PA) and Mount Tammany (NJ) are both very popular hikes that feature opposing sides of the DWG.

The Hike

The Delaware Water Gap region is known for its plethora of waterfalls. Buttermilk Falls is the highest waterfall in New Jersey and is the feature of this hike. This loop will take you up the side of the Falls, along the Appalachian Trail and past two lakes, for a challenging but rewarding 6 mile loop.

Fees: There are no fees for accessing the trails in the Delaware Water Gap Region.

Find the Trailhead: The trailhead can be found at Mountain Rd, Layton, NJ 07851 or GPS coordinates: 41.13754848406089, -74.88950898816402. The road to the trailhead is unpaved and can be very bumpy and full of potholes. It’s best traveled with a bigger vehicle or by taking it very slow. Be aware that the road closes in winter and that the dirt parking area can fill up quickly during peak times. The access road is one lane at time and you may have to pull over to let others pass.

Bathroom: There are no bathrooms at the trailhead but there are composting toilets at Crater Lake, approximately 2.5 miles into the hike.

You won’t have to go far to enjoy New Jersey’s tallest waterfall; it’s right at the trailhead! But if you have the time, I highly recommend this 6.5 mile loop. It’s challenging, but well worth it to experience a beautiful trek through the woods, a stretch on the Appalachian trail, and a lake only accessible by trail.

To start, take the stairs up the side of Buttermilk Falls. You’ll gain a lot of elevation in this hike and it’s mostly all in the first 1.5ish miles. Finally, the trail meets up with the Appalachian trail. This section of the trail is mostly flat and easy to traverse so it’s a nice break. Stay on the Appalachian trail for about 0.9 miles then follow the signs for Crater lake, leaving the AT behind. The path curves downhill and the lake is visible through the trees. From here you have a choice. You can do the whole loop around the lake (1.3 miles), or you can go to the small view point before the trail hits the access road. Whichever way you choose, you’ll retrace your steps back to where you left the AT. From there, head straight into the hemlock trees, following signs for Hemlock Lake. We followed the signs to the right for Blue Mountain Lake trail which were blazed green/red but it was difficult to tell. This trail took you around the lake and then met up with Woods Road. Turn left on Woods Road to go up to the lake and even dip your feet in if you need to cool off! From here, follow Woods Road all the way back until it crosses over Buttermilk Falls trail. It’s roughly a mile back to the parking area.

After a hike like that, you’ve definitely earned a brew!

THE BEER: Angry Erik Brewery

Address: 2 Camre Dr, Newton, NJ 07860
Distance from Trail Head: 16 miles, 35 mins
Website: http://www.angryerik.com/
Food?: Bar snacks
Details: Outdoor seating, Dog friendly

Just a warning, this drive might take a long time despite being only 16 miles due to the rough road and winding state forest roads to get out of the woods. Just take it easy and enjoy the ride!

The husband and wife team of Heide and Erik started Angry Erik Brewing back in 2014. Originally the brewery was located about a mile away but demand soon outgrew the space. Now the brewery has a sprawling 7,000 sqft brewery and taproom right on the Paulinskill Rail Trail with a large outdoor biergarten. But the most striking thing about the taproom isn’t the size; it’s the viking iconography! The bar is set up to look like a viking long ship with a dragons head sprouting from the bow and a tail curling at the stern. Behind the bar a huge mast and sail reach toward the ceiling. It’s quite impressive! To further the viking theme, Angry Erik brews many traditional belgium style ales and some with unique twists. Our favorite of the night was the Leaf Erikson, a harvest amber ale with baking spices.

We really loved our visit to Angry Erik. I don’t think we’ve ever been to a place that was so welcoming, so ready to chat beer with us, and even willing to take some silly pictures of us. Big thanks to the team to Angry Erik! I hope we’ll be back someday!

Our Beer:

Midnight in Autumn – Stout – 6%
Leaf Erikson – Pumpkin Beer – 6.1%
Paulinskill Ale – Lemongrass Summer Ale – 6.8%
Ravol – Amber Ale – 6.8%

Smith’s Knob & New Trail Brewing Co.

October 7, 2023October 8, 2023hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Williamsport, PA

My first trip to Loyalsock State Forest took us to a beautiful but strenuous hike to Smith’s Knob Vista. The steep rocky ascent pays off for a beautiful view of Loyalsock creek and the surrounding valley. Definitely bring your trekking poles for this one! Afterward, drive back into Williamsport for a pint at the enormous New Trail Brewing, which is all about spending quality time outdoors and making great beer.

THE HIKE: Smith’s Knob via Loyalsock Trail

Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1312 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Time: 2.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, trail running, leashed pets
Parking: Large lot at trailhead

Background

This day hike gives you just a taste of the 59 mile backpacking trail through Loyalsock State Forest. The trail, established in 1951, is a challenging trek through rugged terrain. It’s maintained by the Alpine Club of Williamsport which has a guide to the trail available for purchase on their website. If you’re interested in the backpacking trail, Endless Mountains has an excellent guide on their website.

Loyalsock State forest is one of the 20 state forests in the state of Pennsylvania. It spans over 114,000 acres across Bradford, Sullivan and Lycoming counties. It makes up part of the Endless Mountain region and is made up mostly of hardwood forests. It’s named for the scenic Loyalsock creek that runs through the center of the forest.

There’s more than 200 miles of hiking in the Loyalsock State forest but the most popular is probably the backpacking trail. Thankfully, there are several parking access points so it’s also accessible for day hikes!

The Hike

Parking: 41.3566320056887, -76.85942897194258

The day hike to Smith’s Knob starts near the Western terminus of the Loyalsock Trail. The parking lot can be found on Little Bear Creek Road, access off Route 87 just north of Williamsport. Little Bear Creek Road is quite narrow and not paved, so a car with a higher suspension is recommended. My little Honda Fit would not have made this trail! The parking lot is very large but there are no bathroom facilities so plan accordingly.

The trailhead can be found across the gravel road and is clearly marked with a “Loyalsock Trail” signpost. Throughout this hike, the trail is noted by small metal discs on trees with a red LT emblazoned on a yellow background. The trail ascends up a hillside and quickly encounters a clearing with a large industrial garage, likely for forestry equipment. Bear to the left and meet up with the trail again. The first mile or so is by far the most difficult hiking we’ve done in a while. We took many breaks and needed lots of water and fuel. And of course a pair of trail runners zoomed by us to really put us in our place! After about 0.5 miles of steady incline, you’ll reach the first of many viewpoints. This charming vista is known as Helen’s window and while not the most impressive view, it’s still a nice spot to catch your breath.

Continuing onward for another half mile brings you to a trail intersection. Stay straight on the Loyalsock Trail but note that the trail you’re crossing over is the Smith’s Bypass trail and it’s the one you’ll eventually be coming back along. Now comes the steepest and most difficult part of the trail. The last ascent to the Knob is incredibly rocky and there is no shame in needing all four limbs to get yourself up there! When you finally ascend to the top and catch your breath, there are a couple viewpoints. To the right is a grassy area that is lovely for a quick rest. The views aren’t spectacular but the grass is delightful to rest in. From there, a bit further along the trail is a large campsite used by backpackers. Just past the trail to the left is the Smith’s Knob overlook and it is by far one of my favorite vistas that we’ve encountered. I’m not sure if it was having the place to ourselves or the sheer effort it took to get there, but this place just really got to me. We stayed here for a while enjoying the view of the creek below and shockingly being able to hear a children’s soccer game somewhere in the distance.

From the overlook, continue along the LT as it descends from the Knob. Once again, it can get pretty steep so take your time! I definitely am known to go down steep sections on my butt. A tried and true technique! From here, the next mile is a lovely peaceful trek through soaring trees. We didn’t see another person the whole time! Eventually the trail meets up with the bypass trail and you’ll leave the Loyalsock trail. Be aware that the bypass trail is marked with a yellow circle and a red X. I didn’t know this before going and was worried that we weren’t supposed to be on the trail! But never fear this is the way to complete the loop back. This trail is much wider and flat, more like a rustic road. Because of this there are more sunny spots and it can get quite warm. Following the red x’s will bring you back to the intersection with the Loyalsock trail. Take the left turn to head back to the parking lot!

THE BEER: New Trail Brewing Company

Address: 240 Arch St building 18, Williamsport, PA 17701
Distance from Trail Head: 27 mins, 19 miles
Website: http://www.newtrailbrewing.com/
Food?: Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor seating, dog friendly

New Trail brewing company is pretty much the perfect brewery to pair with a hike because of their strong dedication to the outdoors. All of the original founders are avid outdoorspeople and established the brewery in order to make good beer and get people outdoors! New Trail Brewing is located in Williamsport, which is an access point for so many of PA’s fantastic state parks and forests. In fact, New Trail brewing has frequently worked with and supported conservation and trail organizations across PA. I love seeing breweries doing the good work!

From the hiking boot print in their logo to the enormous map of the state forests surrounding WIlliamsport, I loved how much of this brewery was dedicated to the great outdoors. You can tell how much the owners care about their town and introducing people to the great outdoors. It also helps that the beer is pretty dang good too! In fact, New Trail has been working with the PA Parks and Forests foundation to put out a series of PA State Park themed beers which is not only super cool but proceeds are also going right back into the parks. I hope to see more partnerships like this with breweries across PA and beyond!

Our Beer:

Blackberry Lemonade – Sour – 5%
Rocksylvania – Hazy IPA – 7%
Broken Heels – Hazy IPA – 7%
White Ale – Wheat Beer – 5.5%

Erie Bluffs & Twisted Elk Brewery

September 23, 2023September 24, 2023hikesandhopsblog 3 Comments

Lake City, PA

A day in Erie, PA is the perfect September weekend trip from Pittsburgh! It’s only 2 hours away and boasts beautiful state parks and excellent breweries! My favorite stop was at Erie Bluffs State Park in Lake City just a few miles outside of Erie. This park boasts one mile of undeveloped shoreline with 90ft cliffs overlooking the water. After a morning exploring the bluffs, check out Twisted Elk Brewing for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays! In addition to a full menu of brews and cocktails, they also have a huge brunch menu. I recommend the elk sausage and biscuits!

THE HIKE: Erie Bluffs Loop

Length: 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 217 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, Running, Biking, Leashed Pets
Parking: Large Lot at trailhead, vault toilets
H&H: 5/5

Most people automatically think of Presque Isle State Park when planning a trip to Erie, PA. And while Presque Isle is an awesome spot, it can get quite busy (over 4 million per year!). If you’re looking for a more secluded outdoors space nearby, I highly recommend Erie Bluffs State Park! While this park doesn’t have the sandy beaches that the cross love at Presque Isle, there’s still a lot going for it! Important to note: there is no swimming at this park!

Erie Bluffs State Park encompasses about 580 acres of undeveloped land about 12 miles west of downtown Erie. In fact, the only developed areas are the creek access spot and the main parking area! Although this is a popular spot for fishing, you can easily find solitude in the woods. According to the Department of Natural Resources website, there are 5.16 miles of wooded trails, although I believe that there are some newly made trails that aren’t yet reflected on the map. There’s very little elevation gain aside from a steep incline from the parking lot. These trails are popular with hikers and mountain bikers and are even open year round to cross country skiers and snowshoeing. Most of the trails vary from easy to moderate so this is a great spot for hikers of all levels. I also think it would be a great spot to bring little hikers!

Our 3 mile route followed a combination of trails following this loop on Alltrails. I’ve done a LOT of hiking this summer and I have to say that this was one of my favorites that we’ve done. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the shoreline was! The photos speak for themselves. I also really appreciated the varied landscape that this route took us through. From shoreline, to woods, to open fields, this really was a delight. As always, bring bug spray and be aware that it can get quite sunny in spots.

Erie Bluffs is actually a fairly recent addition to the PA Parks system. It was acquired from the Western PA Conservancy in 2004 and then became the 117th state park. Despite its size Pennsylvania only has 51 miles of shoreline along Lake Erie. So the experience at Erie Bluffs is truly unique for the state. It’s easy to image that you are looking out over the ocean when you’re here!

THE BEER: Twisted Elk Brewery

Address: 10139 W Lake Rd, Lake City, PA 16423
Distance from Trail Head: 1.9 miles, 4 mins
Website: http://www.twistedelkbrewery.com/
Food?: Full Menu
Details: Outdoor seating, cocktail menu

Just barely two miles away from Erie Bluffs State Park is one of the newest members of Erie’s Brew scene. Twisted Elk Brewery managed to successfully open during the pandemic and has been serving top notch beer ever since! The owners pride themselves on always making a high quality product and working with local farmers for as many of their ingredients as possible.

The brewery is a modest size but still serves up a large taplist of headliners and seasonal specials. You can also order from their large cocktail menu or get a house-made hard seltzer. Stay for a while and order from their full kitchen menu that includes local favorite like elk burgers! We were really impressed with this small establishment and were easily tempted into ordering brunch despite packing our lunches for the day. Somehow our kale salads couldn’t compete with a piping hot dish of homemade elk sausage gravy and biscuits! And it was surprisingly affordable too, a win/win.

We highly recommend including a stop at Erie Bluffs State Park and Twisted Elk on your next visit up to Erie County!

Our Beer:

Elktoberfest – Marzen – 5%
Elk Creek IPA – American IPA – 5.5%
Apple Pie Ale – Fruit Beer – 5%

Duff Park & Devout Brewing

September 17, 2023September 16, 2023hikesandhopsblog 4 Comments

Murrysville, PA

Despite having driven down Route 22 many times, I never knew a beautiful park was tucked in the woods just off this major road. Duff Park is a peaceful natural area with bike trails along a stream and single track trails meandering through the woods. It’s a designated plant sanctuary and the fall wildflowers are beautiful right now! After a walk through the woods, check out Devout Brewing just up the road. They have a delicious Marzen on right now and a sweet potato beer coming soon!

THE HIKE: Duff Park Outer Loop

Length: 3.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 525 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, Running, some sections open to bikes
Parking: Large lot off School Rd

Duff Park is a 220 acre wooded park east of Pittsburgh and is located just off Route 22. It is owned and managed by the Municipality of Murrysville with help from the volunteers at Murrysville Trail Alliance and the Friends of Murrysville Parks.

The park includes 1.5 miles of flat bike trail along Turtle Creek. There is also a bridge connecting this trail to the large Westmoreland Heritage Trail, so this is a great place for biking, running, and for those with limited mobility. The rest of the park features hilly single track trails that meander up the hillside. There are about 7.5 miles of trails in the woods, so there’s plenty of space to get a nice long hike in! Duff park is also connected by a trail to Pleasant Valley Park. I haven’t been to Pleasant Valley Park but from what I’ve read, it’s very peaceful but a bit more remote feeling than Duff Park. I’ll have to check it out for myself though!

We visited Duff Park on a Friday after work as part of the Oboz Trail Experience to do this 3.4 loop. I was blown away by how beautiful the place was despite being so close to a major road. Of course, this does mean that the road noises can be quite loud. But frankly, they faded to the background for me as we hiked along Turtle Creek, admiring the clear water and reading the signs identifying the trees along the way. This part of the trail was flat and very easy to follow. Eventually the outer loop leaves the Funk Bikeway trail to switchback up the hillside on the Forbes trail. This was definitely a section that got our hearts pounding! The trail continues to be moderate difficulty as you turn onto the Sumac trail. We hardly saw anyone else on these sections and being further away from the traffic noises really made for a peaceful hike. The trails were all very clearly labeled and we had no problem eventually completing the loop and finding ourselves back at the parking lot.

I would definitely visit this park again! It does seem to be pretty popular so parking could be an issue on the weekends. There are port-a-potties in the parking lot and also picnic tables under the pavilion. I also really appreciated the large interpretive signs discussing the local flora and fauna. We will definitely have to visit in the spring as this park is a designated wild plant sanctuary! Perhaps it will be a new favorite place for spring wildflowers.

THE BEER: Devout Brewery

Address: 1301 Pontiac Ct #101, Export, PA 15632
Distance from Trail Head: 4.4 miles, 9 mins
Website: http://www.devoutbrewingco.com/
Food?: BYOF, Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor Seating, Pet Friendly

Devout Brewing has been pouring beers at their Export location since 2018. Nestled in the back of an industrial park, Devout feels like a hidden gem. With outdoor seating covered by a sunshade and a large indoor taproom, there’s plenty of space to relax here! When we visited, there was a surprisingly large selection, up to 16 taps! They also offer locally made cider, wine, and mead if that’s more your speed. While they don’t have a kitchen of their own, Devout frequently has a rotating food truck schedule or you can bring your own food! Your four legged friends are also welcome on the outdoor patio. We had such a good time at this brewery because it felt like having a beer with new friends! Everyone, customers and staff alike, were so friendly and eager to make conversation. It was an all around great place to spend a Saturday night.

I was pretty excited to check out Devout Brewing because I finally remembered to bring my Laurel Highlands Pour Tour booklet! Although I’ve been to several of the breweries listed, it was the first time I got an official stamp. Will this start a new obsession? Just wait and see!

Our Beer:

Son of Scurvy – Hazy IPA – 6.5%
Hans Grubier – Oktoberfest – 5.6%
Buzzin Blonde – Belgian Blonde with honey – 7%
Pachyderm Porter – Porter – 4%

Looking for more Hikes & Hops East of Pittsburgh? Check out Powdermill Nature Reserve & Four Seasons Brewing, Wolf Rocks & Helltown Brewing, or Ohiopyle & Bloom Brew

Dead Man’s Hollow & Firewhistle Brewing

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023hikesandhopsblog 3 Comments

McKeesport, PA

In the midst of the industrial town of Elizabeth, Dead Man’s Hollow is a welcome green respite! There are miles of wooded trails perfect for hiking and biking and it even connects to the GAP trail. You’ll find unique spots like the table rock, huge sycamores and spring wildflowers, and industrial ruins. Despite its ominous name, this is a delightfully peaceful hike and is great for some solitude. Afterwards, head back into Elizabeth for a pint at the community-centered Firewhistle Brewing.

THE HIKE: Dead Man’s Hollow Loop

Length: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 840 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, Biking
Parking: Large gravel lot
H&H: 4/5

Dead Man’s Hollow is a conservation area that includes over 450 acres managed by the Allegheny Land Trust. It’s located southeast of the city in McKeesport along the Youghiogheny River. The ALT set out to preserve this area after it was revealed to have ecological significance and it’s now an excellent spot for spring wildflowers!

There are currently about 8 miles of trails at Dead Man’s Hollow and it links up to the Great Allegheny Passage for even more miles. The trails are open to hikers and cyclists, although be aware that some sections are very steep.

Where to Park

There are four parking lots to access the trails at Dead Man’s Hollow, although I suggest going to the Catfish Pond one. This is the largest lot with space for about 25 cars and is easy to access from McKeesport. After turning off Scenic Ridge Road towards the parking lot, the way is a bit rough and gravelly so be aware if you’re driving a smaller car. Take the road all the way to the end and then you’ll find the trailhead. There are kiosks with trail maps at all four parking areas, but be aware that the other three lots only have space for a few cars.

History

In the 19th and 20th century, industry ruled in this area. From a quarry to a pipe factory, the location right along the river made it a prime spot. However, when the pipe factory closed in the 1920s, nature slowly took back over. The industrial ruins have made the hollow ripe for spooky stories. The area’s chilling name comes from local lore stating that in the 1800s, a group of boys stumbled upon a body hanging from a tree. Another folk story tells of a robbed store owner chasing the culprits into the woods and ultimately dying in the ensuing crossfire. For a wonderful overview of the facts and legends about the Hollow, see this article. If you like spooky stories, keep an eye out for Halloween hikes hosted by the ALT at Dead Man’s Hollow!

The Trails

We visited Dead Man’s Hollow this year as part of the Oboz Trail Experience (learn more here) so we had to take a defined route. However, I would highly suggest parking at the Catfish Pond trailhead and starting out on the red-blazed Cool Spirit Trail. Bearing to the right will lead past a small waterfall and the interesting rock feature called Table Rock. Be aware that the trail down to Table Rock isn’t well defined and is quite steep. From there, follow the purple trail down into the hollow, until it meets up with the green trai. See the towering sycamore trees and take a picture in the tree trunk hideaway. Continuing along the green trail leads to the industrial ruins and the GAP trail. From there, you can continue along the lesser trod blue trail that leads up through peaceful woods. The lower half of this trail does have a lot of broken glass though so keep an eye on your four-legged friends. My least favorite trail was the yellow trail, which was extremely overgrown past the Calhoun road parking area. I was very grateful for long pants! To connect the yellow route back to the green or the red connector, there are some very steep switchbacks up the hillside. I found these to be a fun challenge but there are definitely times when I’d rather avoid and take an easier way up.

No matter what route you choose, you’re sure to find some peace and quiet at Dead Man’s Hollow!

THE BEER: Firewhistle Brewery

Address: 107 N 2nd Ave, Elizabeth, PA 15037
Distance from Trail Head: 10 mins, 5 miles
Website: https://firewhistlebrewing.com/
Food?: BYOF
Details: Outdoor seating, cocktails, pet-friendly outside

I’ve been wanting to make it down to Firewhistle for ages and I was so glad that this hike brought me out to Elizabeth! Firewhistle is a pretty small operation, but that’s part of what I liked about it! The cozy taproom felt like sitting around a friend’s kitchen and pretty much everyone knew either other. As you may have picked up from the name, Jason Berman, owner and brewer, has a close connection to emergency services. He has been a volunteer firefighter and has worked as a paramedic for many years and wanted his brewery to be a place that not only celebrates the work of emergency workers but also be a comfortable place for them to unwind at the end of the night!

Firewhistle is a small operation so in addition to their own house-made pours, they also offer a robust cocktail list and local wines. They also encourage their guests to order in from local restaurants like the pizzeria next door! The night we visited, we were able to enjoy a new stout on tap whose warming, chocolatey taste paired perfectly with an unseasonably cool August night. We also loved the Firewhistle Red Ale, and actually just stuck with these two delicious brews for the evening. I really appreciate a brewery that makes lower ABV beers, cheers to that! We also lucked out and visited on an evening with live music!

Our Beer: