Trough Creek State Park: Hiking to Rainbow Falls & Balanced Rock
September 2024 // Trough Creek Wilderness Area, Todd Township, Pennsylvania
Camera:
Sony α6000
Lenses:
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens (SELP1650) *renewed
Locations:
Trough Creek Wilderness Area
Trough Creek State Park
Rainbow Falls
Balanced Rock
Trough Creek Suspension Bridge
☀
☀
There’s something special about the land near your hometown. No matter how many places I explore, there’s a familiarity in the trees, the air, and the way the landscape shifts through the seasons. It’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words but impossible to ignore.
I spent the day hiking with my partner and mother at Trough Creek State Park. Our journey started at the Trough Creek Suspension Bridge, a bridge that bounces slightly with each step. It’s the perfect kind of landmark - one that feels just sturdy enough to trust, yet light enough to remind you that you’re walking over water.
From there, we followed the trail up to Rainbow Falls, a small but picturesque waterfall trickling down moss-covered rocks. The recent rain had kept it flowing steadily, and the water glistened as it fell. A few stone steps later, we reached Balanced Rock, a massive boulder that seems to float impossibly on the edge of a cliff. It’s one of those landmarks that makes you stop and stare - a reminder of nature’s ability to shape, balance, and hold onto things in ways that seem almost unnatural.
The creek ran parallel to the trail, its glassy surface reflecting the towering trees above, creating a near-perfect mirror image. I couldn’t help but stop for a few shots, trying to capture the way the greens seemed impossibly deep, as if the forest itself had been dipped in emerald ink.
We made our way to Ice Mine, a natural curiosity where cool air seeps from the rocks even on warm days. Standing near its entrance, we could feel the sudden drop in temperature, a sharp contrast to the humid summer air.
After hiking, we drove to a quiet creek bank, relaxing near the rocks and letting the world slow down for a while. There’s something about the sound of moving water that makes everything else fade into the background.
And, of course, no trip home would be complete without a Sheetz stop. We piled into the car, feeling that satisfying mix of exhaustion and contentment only a good hike can bring. Two-for-a-dollar hot dogs and a bucket of fries felt like the ultimate post-trail reward - pure nostalgia wrapped in foil paper.
We spent the rest of the evening at my mother’s house, letting the day settle into memory. It wasn’t just about the hike - it was about being outside, being together, and being present in a place that still feels like home.
Gallery
Some links on this site are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, but we are not paid by companies for promotion - this simply helps support our work.
