Snowed In

We received around 19 inches of snow this weekend and our driveway will finally be plowed later this afternoon. This has been the largest snow fall here in 17 years. I hope everyone is keeping warm as there have been widespread power outages in the area. We have been lucky in this regard and we wish everyone well.

The above image was taken in December when there was a few inches of snow. Hopefully sometime soon we will make it to the parks.

Happy New Year!

Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

One Side of Alpha Falls

Oh those tree limbs! They try to sneak into almost every shot.

Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill

Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

Water and Moss

This photo was taken at the base of Alpha Falls in McConnells Mill.

Alpha Falls - View from Below

Another look at the falls. This photo was take on July 26, 2009 in McConnells Mill.

Alpha Falls - View from the Path

A view of the Alpha Falls as you wind your way along the side path from the Alpha Trail.

This photo was taken in McConnells Mills on July 26, 2009.

Alpha Falls

This waterfall is a short ways off the Alpha Trail. My daughter and I were quite surprised when we came across it while hiking. After a little research:

Alpha Falls, also known as Gardiner Falls, is the mouth of the valley leading from Alpha Pass. The falls most likely formed after lake drainage through Alpha Pass was complete. Later lake drainage eroded the main gorge to its present level, leaving the valley above the falls "hanging" along the gorge wall. Many waterfalls along the walls of the gorge are at the mouths of similar "hanging valleys."

Almost none of the Homewood Sandstone has been eroded at the top of the falls, suggesting that the valley has never had much flow since glacial lake drainage ceased.

Source, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Web Site. July 23, 2009.

This photo was taken in McConnells Mill on June 28, 2009.