This year was really our first full fall season on the East Coast, so we tried to do a few hikes and activities to enjoy the weather and changing leaves. The warm weather of summer lingered this year, which extended the fall foliage season, but also meant there wasn’t a real ‘peak’ to the color. Still, before we knew it, the leaves were falling and winter was setting in! So we were glad to get out on the trail a few times.
Tohickon Creek Gorge & High Rocks Trail
Tohickon Creek Gorge is over an hour north of Philadelphia near the New Jersey border. This was a short 4.5 mile hike starting from the Pleasant Valley Park parking lot winding through the woods to the High Rocks Trail. There were a few nice views overlooking the Tohickon Creek Gorge, but the best colors were at the edge of the creek.
Overlooking Tohickon Creek Gorge
Pulpit Rock & Pinnacles Loop
This hike is about an hour and a half northwest of Philadelphia. This was a longer 8.7 mile loop with 1,300 feet of gain. Much of the trail follows the AT (Appalachian Trail) including the two best views on the entire Pennsylvania stretch!
View of Lehigh Valley
Pulpit Rock
After reaching Pulpit Rock and Pinnacles we headed back down along Furnace Creek.
AT
On our way back we ran into a couple lost kids about 10 years old who got separated from their mom and other siblings. Luckily we were able to point them in the right direction, and their mom was eagerly waiting a mile down the trail. The boys were only wearing shorts and looked very cold, definitely not prepared to spend the night out there!
This was our first hike over 5 miles in almost 2 months, so we were feeling pretty out of shape, but we kept a steady pace and still had smiles at the end!
Canoeing the Brandywine River
Nathan’s parents came to visit us and see the fall colors in October. We thought what better way to see the leaves then from the slow moving Brandywine River in our own backyard! This was our third time down the river this year, but it was our first time with the autumn colors.
Making it Challenging
Paradox Winery
We also all met up with Katharine’s parents at a local winery and enjoyed a few fall activities.
Nathan’s parents first corn maze after living in Iowa for almost 30 years!
Pedal Go-Carts!
Corn Cob Sling Shot!
Corn Cob Air Cannon!
It was a great fall season, but felt like it went too fast… We already have ideas for what we want to do next year!
Check out some of the other photos.
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