Hawk Falls, Carbon County

The .3-mile walk to Hawk Falls is flat and pleasant. A sign indicating the yellow-blazed trail for Hawk Falls stands near a culvert that carries PA 534 over Hawk Run. For .2 mile, the trail parallels the right-hand side of Hawk Run, which is audible over the turnpike traffic rushing along just a few dozen yards away. Rhododendrons hide the creek for the trail’s whole length, and they are abundant at the falls as well. At the .2-mile point, the trail crosses Hawk Run over rocks provided for the purpose of fording, and as with all such crossings, some of these rocks will wobble or shift underfoot. The water at the ford is almost knee-deep; an extended tripod leg will help you keep your balance. Once across, continue downstream about 100 yards to where Hawk Falls becomes audible, if it’s running with any strength. When an enormous truss bridge that carries the turnpike over the Mud Run gorge comes into view, a small side trail to the falls’ head diverges to the right.