Abbott Run in the McIntyre Wild Area of Lycoming County features rugged hiking and a series of spectacular waterfalls – if you know how to find them.
In Part 2 of this adventure, we explored Abbott Run and were thrilled to find even more amazing waterfalls than the worthy ones on Dutchmans Run that we visited in Part 1! The tradeoff is that the hike to Abbot Run is farther and more challenging. But the reward is well worth the effort. You can hike Abbott Run from the top of McIntyre Mountain down, or from the bottom up. In Part 1 we made a loop combining a hike up Dutchmans Run to the top of McIntyre Mountain and a descended Abbott Run. Here, we’ll guide you to the Abbott Run Waterfalls from the bottom of the mountain.
The first waterfall on Abbott Run is only about 0.2 miles from Route 14, the main road through the Lycoming Creek Valley. However, direct access is blocked by private property. The quickest route to Abbott Run is from the trailhead off of Rock Run Road in Ralston, PA at 41.50695, -76.95118.The trail follows an old railroad grade roughly paralleling Lycoming Creek. The trail is weedy in spots, especially during summer. We followed the trail for about 1.1 miles. At 41.52266, -76.95097 we spied the ruins of a stone house to the right of the trail.
After investigating the ruins, we proceeded north, crossing several beds of Dutchmans Run. The trail soon fizzled out. This part of the trail was tricky because there is a narrow strip of land between the rocky base of McIntyre Mountain to the right and private property to the left. With no trail and no blazes, were mindful to minimize the rough terrain while avoiding trespassing. The easiest way is to follow the below waypoints guiding you along an old utility line cut:
41.52344, -76.95146
41.52419, -76.95211
41.52592, -76.95264
From the last waypoint, bushwhack around the private property to an old rail grade at 41.52673, -76.95342.
We navigated the old grade through the woods to a side trail at 41.53239, -76.95126. The side trail passes by impressive cliffs before arriving at the first waterfall on Abbott Run (41.53315, -76.95080) pictured above. After enjoying the excellent waterfall, we returned to the beginning of the side trail that led to the falls. Our next objective was the second waterfall about 0.2 miles upstream. You have two options:
1. Less challenging: pick up the old grade at 41.53208, -76.95055. You will pass through a thick mountain laurel stand, but there is a path through at 41.53323, -76.94955.
2. More challenging: pass through the mountain laurel via a path from 41.53288, -76.95049 to 41.53337, -76.95035. This leads to the top of the first waterfall and keeps you in the scenic ravine where you can explore the cascades. There is no path, so carefully make your way upstream along the Abbott Run.
The second waterfall is a splendid, slender drop at 41.53405, -76.94785.
But wait; there’s more. Return to old grade and pass through another dense mountain laurel stand at 41.53627, -76.94383. The grade descends to the stream at 41.53713, -76.94342, then ascends to follow the rim of the ravine.
The first two Abbott Run waterfalls were worth the trip; not to mention the multiple cascades in the scenic ravine. However, what we encountered next was the Pièce de résistance. The ravined deepened and doubled: a confluence of with parallel waterfalls!
The right of the “Y” shaped ravine contains a two-tiered upper waterfall and a single lower waterfall.
A smaller single waterfall flows down the left arm of the “Y”. The confluence is located at 41.53891, -76.94186.
After reveling in the waterfall wonderland of the Abbott Run confluence, we returned to the trailhead the way we came. You can also make a loop by traveling to the McIntyre Mountain plateau and return via Dutchmans Run by reversing the route we took in Part 1 of our adventure.
In the map above, the rail bed from trailhead to Dutchmans run is given in brown.
Bushwacking and rough grades are given in purple.
Trails/roads are given in yellow.
The out-and-back roundtrip between the trailhead and the Abbott Run confluence was 5.4 miles.
The distance from the trailhead to the first waterfall on Abbott Run was 1.9 miles.
The loop we took up Dutchman Run and down Abbott Run in Parts 1 and 2 combined was 6.4 miles.
The waterfalls on Dutchmans Run are worthwhile, and the Abbott Run waterfalls were even better. However, the lack of blazed trails and bushwacking to avoid private property on the approach to the first waterfall can make this trail challenging. The old grade that runs along the rim of the Abbott Run ravine is many decades old and is easy to lose in spots. To experience the second waterfall and waterfall confluence, you need to leave the grade and venture off trail into the ravine. Although this adventure is not for everyone, it is well worth it if you can make it.
Want more? Here are other adventures in McIntyre Wild Area:
Most Scenic Overlook
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