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.