WITHOUT CAREFUL PLANNING

8TH HIKE: TUCQUAN GLEN

Facts

Location: Holtwood/Pequea, PA

Park: Tucquan Glen Nature Preserve

Trail: Tucquan Glen Loop = 2.1 miles

Time: 1-1.5 hrs

Elevation: 235 ft

Date: 6/2/11

Adventure

Originally I had planned to hike Kelly's Run on Thursday morning, a challenging trail recommended for "experienced outdoorsmen" (Mauricio you game?), but when I reviewed the schedule for the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference (PTHC) it no longer seemed applicable. I was looking to attend the PTHC on Friday and possibly Saturday, but the workshop held by GLSEN on Safe Schools was Thursday at 4pm and Kelly's Run is a 6 mile hike. I didn't want to chance missing the conference so I switched gears and pulled an easy two mile hike out of my "back pocket" list. All I knew about Tucquan  Glen was that it had a waterfall and was a loop trail. I view trails as being challenging or scenic and so I had hoped to see something cool, but understood that it would be relatively easy. Kim suggested doing brunch that morning, but I roped her into the hike instead. I packed a cooler of water, T-fish & rel (oh, how I miss the UMASS days), some granola bars, chips and away we went to Lancaster county.

Entry to Tucquan Glen

I have lived in PA for almost two years now and have yet to spend any quality time out in Amish country, but I got small taste on the way to Tucquan Glen. As is standard now on my trailblazing quest, I got lost and needed to ask for directions. I stopped at a local park in Holtwood where a group of Amish folk were having a cookout/BBQ? and playing baseball. I asked a group of teenage boys where I could find the trail, but they had no clue. One boy went to ask his father who wasn't entirely sure and then recommended I chat with his wife, the boy's mother, who said the same things as the father about where it might be, but with more clarity. What I learned was that if I had stayed on River Road I would find Tucquan Glen campground. When I got to the campground I drove down a long, narrow, unpaved road and ask some campers where I could find the park and they told me to turn around and stay on River road. They said it would be on my left and I can't miss it, they were indeed right!

New Friends

I parked the car and off we went into the woods and along the stream. The weather was gorgeous, the water was clean, and the trail made me work. After running around some to avoid the mud I had to reward my lungs with a puff or two from the old faithful inhaler. At the halfway point on the trail we crossed a railroad track and walked down to the water. At the shore we saw hundreds of butterflies. Mostly yellow and some blue. Kim and I were able to walk right up to them and take photos without distracting or scaring them off. It was positively magnificent. I spent the rest of the day saying "I couldn't have planned that better if I tried." I had no idea that there would be such an incredible view of the butterflies. Just watching them fly free and hanging out in the crowd of butterflies was awesome! We continued along the other side of the trail and passed the waterfall. At one point on the trail we had to cross the stream to continue. I searched for the ideal trail of rocks to hop over, while Kim took off her shoes and walked through it. I quickly followed her lead to keep from soaking my socks and shoes. The water was cool and refreshing, I started skipping around and playing in it.

Getting Closer

When the hike was over and we got back to the car I noticed an open horse & buggy parked near my car. I got excited and started taking photos like a typical tourist. We ate lunch across the street by the water only to be kicked out by a guy who told us we were trespassing on his property. Whoops, my bad! On the drive home while searching for gas I pulled into an ice cream shoppe to turn around and fill up my tank. I took it as a sign that we needed ice cream to celebrate the trip. Overall, the hike was amazing and I would totally go back. I might be falling for Lancaster county aka Farmville...

Parking!