Susquehanna County Hikes & Bikes: The Salt Springs Park Challenge
Looking for a fun Father’s Day activity to do with dad? Maybe you’re just looking for an excuse to get outdoors and do some hiking with spectacular scenery? We have a great weekend lined up for you! The EMHR and the Friends of Salt Springs Park are teaming up for the first event in the Heritage Region’s “Susquehanna County Hikes & Bikes” series: “The Salt Springs Park Challenge” will consist of a two-day hike.
To complete this challenge, hikers must take a photo with their camera or cell phone at various designated points throughout Salt Springs. Participants have both Saturday and Sunday (June 18 and 19) to complete the challenge and also have the option of completing the challenge solo or by joining up with a guided group. The choice is up to you! Mileage will vary, depending on how you go about the challenge. The guided tour will be approximately 8.5 miles on Saturday and around 4.5-miles on Sunday. Participants will be provided route options and park maps. Hikers will be required to take a photo at various Salt Springs sites, including:
- “Rock Alley” on the Gorge Trail (formed from laminate sandstone)
- The “Ice Cave” off of the Border Trail near the intersection of Silver Creek and Meadow Trails
- “Spruce Tree Plantation” along the Spruce Trail
- “Penny Rock” on the Hemlock Trail
- “Stone Walls” along the Silver Creek Trail
- The “Natural Spring” on the Bunny Trail
- “Frog Pond” on the Summit Trail
Those who wish to participate both Saturday and Sunday have the options of staying overnight in the organized group camping area, going home and coming back the following morning, or reserving overnight accommodations in the Montrose, Susquehanna County area. Interested parties can search for lodging options here: https://endlessmountains.org/directories/where-to-stay/.
We will meet at the main park office, also known as the historic Wheaton House (GPS coordinates: 41.9119, -75.86553), on both Saturday and Sunday by 9:30 a.m. to sign in.
On Saturday morning, hikers will be provided their EMHR Salt Springs Park Challenge cards, which they will use to tally all of the sites they make it to throughout the weekend. A photograph with the challenge card at each site is required to complete the challenge. Participants will also hear from the EMHR and receive a safety brief from our guides and Friends of Salt Springs Park staff. Participants will then begin the challenge and should meet back at the camping area for a catered by Uptown Grill of Montrose and a presentation from Environmental Education Coordinator for the Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc., Concetta Schirra. Other fun evening activities will follow.
We highly encourage youth participation, but please note that many of these trails are difficult for children under 13. Know your child’s limitations, as you will be responsible for them on the trail. Space for the event is limited, so sign up fast! The cost is $20 per participant, which includes the hiking challenge, the evening dinner, camping at Salt Springs, educational programming and an event t-shirt for completing the challenge. Register for this event at: www.emheritage.org/events.
Please note: Those traveling from afar, particularly in designated “quarantined areas”, should check their vehicles and belongings for signs of the spotted lanternfly and ensure they are not being transported here, as we want to keep them out of our beautiful region.
The “Susquehanna County Hikes & Bikes” series is funded in part by the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau and the Susquehanna County room tax fund.
