Thousands of people flocked to State Game Lands No. 141 in Carbon County Saturday, where parking lots overflowed with cars bearing tags from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and even Florida.
The cars were filled with people who rushed to hike the rocky trail that rises through Glen Onoko Falls one more time.
Wearing boots, sneakers, sandals and flip-flops, they traversed dirt, ballast and boulder for a last legal glimpse of the breathtaking water falls along the steep side of the trail.
With portions of the trail significantly eroded from weather and overuse, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is closing the waterfalls side on May 1. While people have been making the hike since the 1800s, it became increasingly popular in the last two decades.
The trail — site of at least 10 fatalities and numerous rescues for serious injuries — has strained and imperiled the first responders and volunteer squads who have had to navigate its steep and rocky terrain. But it hasn’t deterred the hikers, experienced, first-timers, and especially those unprepared for the slippery climb.
“I come up here once a year,” said Brandon Thomas, 24, of Pittsburgh.
“These falls are remarkable. They’re beautiful. It’s a natural landmark and they’ve been around forever, but I can understand the safety reasons why they’re closing,” he said.
Even on Saturday, after word had spread that the trail is closing because of safety concerns, some people were taking chances by wearing inappropriate footwear, climbing under or on top of the three main waterfalls, or sidling up to the smaller waterfalls for risky selfies.
“There was a girl with regular sandals on, not appropriate gear for this rocky and rough terrain,” said Thomas’ hiking partner, Amanda Wentz, of Palmerton. “I feel like people don’t know what they’re getting themselves into.”
As hard it is for a hiker, Wentz said, imagine what it would be like for first responders who have to carry gurneys, backboards and other equipment.
Diane Husic said she has hiked all over the world, but made her first trip up the Glen Onoko trail on Saturday.
“I’m a water person, so seeing the falls, it’s just so beautiful,” said Husic, a biology professor at Moravian College in Bethlehem and dean of its School of Natural and Health Sciences. “They’re particularly beautiful right now because we’ve had so much rain. But it’s not an easy hike because it’s a climb and slippery in places. If you’re smart and don’t do stupid things like walk on top of the falls like people were doing today in flip-flops, you’ll be fine.”
Her husband, Dave Husic, has hiked the trail many times and is disappointed that it’s closing. Referring to an online petition that has more than 12,000 signatures, he said he hopes the closure won’t be permanent.
Steve Clinton of West Chester feels the same way. He said he’d love to see the trail saved and preserved because it’s a great resource.
The trail has become enormously popular in the 30 years since Hope McAdam of Perkasie started taking her children there for hikes, instilling in them an adventurous spirit.
“It’s great to see more people enjoying the outdoors, but it comes at a price,” she said. “Unfortunately, not enough education about how to preserve and respect our natural treasures.”
Many hikers don’t agree with the decision to shut down the trail. The Game Commission estimates it would take $1.7 million to make it safe and accessible for rescue crews.
On Saturday, one of the most crowded days the trail has ever seen, there was evidence all around of the dangers that one misstep could bring. Brian Hill, 65, of Ambler, said he saw children struggling with the climb and adults who weren’t sure-footed, either.
When he decided to hike the trail “one last time for free as opposed to the $200 fine when it’s illegal,” he took a friend for her first ascent. Looking around, he saw many who hadn’t prepared adequately.
“There’s a lot of scrambling to this hike,” he said.
Khyber Oser of Bryn Athyn brought his three children ages 7, 5 and 3 for their first visit after previously hiking on improved trails at Hawk Mountain in Schuylkill County and Ricketts Glen State Park, which spans Columbia, Sullivan and Luzerne counties. He found out along way that Glen Onoko is more of a challenge.
“I didn’t know if we’d make it because there were points that were so hard I thought we’d have to turn back,” Oser said. “But we kept going and made it to the top.”
Gary Blockus is a freelance writer for The Morning Call.
