Snow, Ice, Peace And Quiet… And A Lot Of History . A Winter Walk In The Lehigh Gorge At Rockport
It has been a while since I hiked in the Lehigh Gorge in Rockport, Carbon County. I used to hike here often. After much of the woodlands near my home were destroyed for residential and land development about 15 years ago, I spent a lot of time hiking in the Lehigh Gorge along the Lehigh River at Rockport. . However, I than discovered the Susquehanna Wetlands and River Lands and they became my favorite hiking trails here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I haven’t been in the Lehigh Gorge as much since then. 
However, since we have had one of the coldest January’s in a few years, I decided to hike in the Lehigh Gorge on Sunday and, hopefully, observe the ice formations that form there when the temperature drops into the single digits. The gorge was created by the Lehigh River. The Lehigh River is one of the three rivers near my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the others being the Susquehanna River and the Schuylkill River. I love all three of these scenic and historic rivers. 
There is also a lot of history here. I drove through the tiny and historic village of Rockport. Rockport was first settled by the Moravians in 1808. It then became a lumbering town owned by Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company to provide lumber for the canal they built along the Lehigh River. The famous artist, naturalist, and ornithologist John James Audubon visited here in 1829. He described his visit. ” I rattled down a steep declivity edged on one side by almost perpendicular rocks, and on the other by a noisy stream, which seemed grumbling at the approach of strangers.” He described the ground as overgrown with laurels and pines and the whole place shrouded in darkness.” 69 News Updated
The town later became a center for the transport of Anthracite coal. The history of this small town is fascinating and I would encourage those interested to do more research, On Sunday I drove though the town and down the steep road to the Lehigh River. I was surprised, and glad, the road was plowed. In the past there was no Winter maintenance on the road and I had to abandon my Jeep here when I got stuck on ice on one Winter visit.
I was the only vehicle at the parking lot along the river. It was such a different scene from the crowds and traffic found here in the Summer. Whitewater rafting is popular here and there is a constant parade of buses transporting the rafters from Jim Thorpe.
I decided to first walk to Buttermilk Falls which was on the trail north and east of the parking lot.The trail through the Lehigh Gorge State Park is part of the Delaware & Lehigh Heritage. which promotes the rich history and culture of the anthracite coal region and it’s contribution to the economic growth of our Country.The trail first crossed a bridge over the frozen Buck Mountain Creek,
and then continued under sheer rock cliffs. The. three or four inches of snow on the trail was packed down from snow mobiles that had used the trail.
Many rhododendrons grow along the trail. 
The leaves of these evergreen plants curl as temperatures drop below freezing and their leaves were curled on this cold morning. 
Hemlock trees, white pine pine trees and frozen Christmas ferns hanging on the cliffs provided more green colors to contrast with the white snow ,and , gray and brown of the bare hardwood trees.
After about a 1/4 mile I came to where water flows over the cliffs creating the beautiful ice formations in Winter. And the ice formations were there. 
The sun had not risen over the ridges above the trail. The ice formations are even more beautiful glistening in the sunlight. 
However their beauty could be appreciated even in the early morning shade. 
After admiring the beauty of the ice I continued on for another 1/4 mile and came to Buttermik Falls. The falls were also frozen solid. They are a popular stop on the trail in the warmer months for hikers and bikers on the trail. I again admired the beauty of the frozen falls,
and hiked back to the parking lot as the sun began to rise about over the ridges above the trail and river.
I decided hike south on the trail since I have seen more ice formations here on previous Winter hikes. The trail took me along the Lehigh River. I have seen it covered in ice in previous cold years. Some stretches of the river were ice covered, 
but most of the river was ice free and the fast flowing. 
The trail left the river, and.
after about 1/4 mile I came to another, smaller waterfall, , Lukes Falls. I was surprised to find that it wasn’t frozen either. 
I walked past the stone building that was used by the railroad. The trail follows the old railroad right of way.
The trail continued through thick groves of rhododendrons,
With a mostly hemlock,
and white pine woods on the slopes above and below the trail.
I have never seen a lot of wildlife or bird activity in the gorge, and it was very quiet on my Sunday morning hike.
I did not see or hear a bird until I had walked about a mile on the trail, when I heard a few black capped chickadees in the tree tops, and
two noisy blue jays. I wouldn’t see any more birds or other wildlife on my five mile hike.
I didn’t see any humans walking either, only two men on snow mobiles that came speeding down the trail.
Other than the two snow mobiles it was a very quiet and peaceful hike.
As I followed the trail , it again approached the river and I heard the roaring waters of the Leigh River again.
I came to another area with some cliffs and the ice formations that form during a cold spell. 
I again enjoyed the beauty of the frozen water and continued my hike. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos of the ice formations I saw on my hike in the gorge. Lehigh Gorge Rockport ice January 26 2025.
The sun was now shining on the ridges on the other side of the river. 
When I had hiked about 2 miles down the trail I turned back. 
Again, it was a quiet and peaceful hike back. It is a perfect place to just enjoy the solitude of nature. I didn’t see another person on my hike.
I didn’t any more either wildlife, but the beauty of the ice and snow was more than enough reason for the visit to Rockport and the Lehigh River. I always enjoy hy hikes in the Lehigh Gorge, but I will be honest and admit, I will probably be hiking at the Susquehanna Wetlands or other sections of the Lehigh River, where I will find more bird activity and wildlife. But, If I just wanted peace, quiet and natural beauty this would be the place to visit. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my hike in the gorge. Lehigh Gorge Rockport ice January 26 2025.
“As I grew up I was fervently desirous of becoming acquainted with Nature.” John James Audubon
“During all these years there existed within me a tendency to follow Nature in her walks.” John James Audubon
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