The Times Leader from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • 42

4- 4C The Times leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Friday, November 14, 1997 Stories by AAARY THERESE BIEBELTirpes Leader Staff Writer HIKING through HISTORY-DEVI L'S HOLE lit, anywhere" in Devil's Hole during the 1920s. Perhaps that story also is true. No matter what happened at Devil's Hole in the past, today it provides a pleasant hike for people who don't mind hopping rock to rock across a stream. The widest, most inviting path from parking lot to waterfall crosses Devil's Hole Creek nine If you'd been an old-time lumberjack perhaps warming your calloused hands and work-weary spirit with camp-fire and hooch come nightfall every gust of wind that blew through a certain canyon near ML Pocono might have sounded like a hellish groan. "Welcome to the Devil's Hole," you could have told the greenhorns.

times. That's not a problem during dry summer weather. But on a recent expedition, Frye and a companion found that high water had covered many of the usual stepping stones. Hikers can eliminate some of the crossings by sticking to one side of the creek, even when the terrain becomes steep and rocky. To reach Devil's Hole from Wilkes-Barre, drive 19 miles south on Route 115 to Blakeslee, then 14 miles east on Route 940 to Mt Pocono.

Continue on Route 940 past the intersection with Route 611 and take the second left after the light Follow this paved road, appropriately named Devil's Hole Road, for 1.1 miles, until you reach a sharp right turn. Do not take the turn, just drive straight into the gamelands parking lot. To reach the creek, walk northeast and downhill about 300 yards and turn left. Follow the creek upstream about two miles to reach the waterfall, where rushing water has formed a hole. Along the way you'll see such native trees as striped and sugar maple, red and chestnut oak.

Near Thilenius' old fireplaces and barbecue pits, non-native trees stand Hiking (Continued from Page 1C) as he reached the summit? But maybe the chase began at the top of the mountain rather than the bottom. That would have spared Campbell and the Indians a mile-long dash up a rock-strewn slope that's easily steeper than 45 degrees. Fortunately for nature lovers, a dirt access road has been built at a more gradual slope, and landowner PG Energy doesn't chase hikers off its property. The utility simply asks that visitors first sign a waiver releasing It from liability in case someone gets injured. Bill Phillips at 829-8699 is the person to call.

To reach Campbell's Ledge from Pittston, take Main Street north toward Duryea. Turn left by the sign that points to Coxton and Ransom. You'll be on Coxton Road, which leads through a one-lane underpass. Within two miles, you should spot the walls and foundation of an abandoned brick building a few yards off the right side of the road. The dirt access road begins to the left of that old structure.

A leisurely walk should get you to the ledge in about 45 minutes, where you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of mountains, river and valley. The area is the extreme northern tip of the Wyoming Valley, where the Lackawanna River flows into the Susquehanna. Early pioneers called the ledge Dial Rock because they used it as a sun dial. They could tell the time of day by the angle at which the sun's rays hit iL "7 "Take care that Old Scratch doesn't grab you and pull you down to hell." The lumberjacks are gone but when the wind blows through the canyon just right, some say you can still hear the ghostly wails and shrieks of the damned. Of course, you might choose to hike Devil's Hole on a calm day.

With nary a breeze to disturb the tranquility, you can concentrate on enjoying a natural area rich in history. The canyon is now part of the Pennsylvania State Gamelands 221. But at the turn of the century, a wealthy New York food broker named Thilenius purchased 1,600 acres and built a hunting lodge there. Remains of the elaborate lodge include two towering stone fireplaces, where Theodore Roosevelt may once have warmed his feet. It is rumored the president accepted an invitation to hunt the elk, deer and bear that Thilenius kept penned behind a fence.

Outdoors enthusiast Jane Frye of Scranton who will lead a hike through the Devil's Hole canyon this Sunday believes the story of Thilenius, which has been reported in the Pocono Record and attributed to a former game commissioner, Benjamin Williams. And author Carolyn Hoffman, who wrote a book titled "Fifty Hikes in Eastern Pennsylvania," offers another bit of legend. Local fishermen told her that a speakeasy served "the best liquor r- i 1 tall. The former landowner probably planted the Norway spruce and cedar, Frye surmises, because he wanted to create a picnic grove atmosphere. Top, cedar trees in the Devil's Hole canyon arent a native species.

Hike leader Jane Frye examines needles of a cedar that was planted long ago. POWDER EE Above, Frye of Scranton will lead a hike Sunday to this fireplace, a remnant of a wealthy man's hunting lodge in the Devil's Hole canyon near ML Pocono. Bang! The explosion that killed four men at the old Dupont Powder Mills in February 1888 must have been deafening. I Windows blew out of homes in Wapwal-lopen and Shickshinny. A local newspaper reported that the blast had "prostrated" all those who lived nearby.

And about 13 miles north, local historian Robert Janosov writes, 1,000 people gathered at a Nanticoke mine shaft, believing an accident had happened there. But despite the dangers 14 explosions and several fires had been recorded within the powder facility's first six years of operation local workers continued to manufacture dynamite for the coal mines from 1856 to 1912. And today, the stone walls and foundations of some of the old huildinfs remain hidden in the woods alnnO Wanwallonpn flrppk a Hiking clubs find trans galore Want to explore local hiking spots but prefer not to go it alone? Check out the schedules of the following local clubs. Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club tnute testament to the historic industry. 0 1 Suncfcy Hike byr and a half The site Is significant because it was the first Dowder facilitv the mi'es Montour Preserve.

Meet or winy neaim uenier, Pupont family established outside Delaware, says Janosov, a history professor at Luzerne County Community College, who has extensively researched the powder mills. Wilkes-Barre, leave 1 1 a.m. Call Diane Paxson at 655-4203. Nov. 23 Hike 1 0 miles on Red Trail of the Loyalsock Trail System.

Meet 8 a.m. at Sheldon's Diner on Route 1 1 8. Call Joe Healey at 655-4979. Sierra Club excursions Sunday Moderate singles hike, two to three hours on the Pin-chot Trail. Meet at the YMCA, Dunmore, behind Burger King, exit 55B off 1-81 at 10 a.m.

Nov. 23 Hike the Hallsteod Gamelands. Hike is easy and flat but rocky, and should take four to five hours. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Amoco Gas Station, exit 60 off 1-81 at 10 a.m.

The public is invited on Sierra Club excursions. For information call Jim at 942-4282 between 6 and 9 p.m. Dunmore YMCA hikes Sunday Devil's Hole, a box canyon near Mt. Pocono: Seven miles, moderate, on state game-lands teeming with history. Dec.

7 Scrub Oak Towers, a five-mile loop, moderately steep, near Scranton. Trip involves short bushwhack and vista of Elmhursf. These hikes meet 9: 1 5 a.m. at the YMCA in Dunmore. For more information, call leader Jane Frye at 343-5144.

Hikes are free to YMCA members, $5 for non-members or $10 for families. With rushing water and dense foliage, it's also beautiful. "It's a wonderful natural area. It's just marvelous," Janosov says. On a recent rainy Saturday, two hikers explored the paths along Wapwallopen Creek, savoring the eerie picture of stone foundations with intricate archways and old bridges surrounded by fog and misL Pulling out a map compiled by geologist Jon Inners, hike leader Jean Smith of Wyoming tried to identify some of the old foundations closest to Route 239.

Sulfur house? Power house? Charcoal house? Not having the balance or derring-do to cross the creek on the pitiful remains of a bridge, the hikers removed boots and socks and forded Wapwallopen Creek. On the east side, they hoped to find other remains perhaps the blacksmith's shop or the pulverizing mill but turned back when the rainfall became heavier. There's more to explore at a site the Feb. 11, 1888 Wilkes-Barre Record described while reporting that fatal explosion as "one of the gloomiest and most romantic places in our county." To reach the Powder Hole from Shickshinny, take Route 239 south, crossing the bridge to Mocanaqua and following the Susquehanna River. About six miles from the light at the bridge, just past Heller's Orchard, park at the side of the road and descend the left bank and informal footpath the high grass is pushed down until you find a wider trail.

Proceed upstream. Then your exploring can begin. Packed for comfort When hiking, wear stur-' dy footgear, preferably with ankle support, to protect your feet. Dress in layers so you can adapt to changing weather conditions, and remember that cotton that includes denim takes a long time to dry if it gets wet. Wool and polypropylene are better choices in winter.

Tuck a slicker into your daypack if there's any chance of bad weather. Carry water. One quart should be enough for short expedition; two if you'll be gone all afternoon or will encounter steep terrain that makes you sweat. Bring food. If you're detained longer than expected in the woods, you'll appreciate such densely caloric items as peanut butter, chocolate and high-fat granola.

Hike with a buddy. And let someone else know where you're going and when you expect to be back. Til-- lt-I'SuQXi -M v. L. A i 1 HOW TO FIND THE TRAILS For detailed directions to the trails below, see accompanying stories above and on Page 1C.

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