Scouten Brook and Emerald Forest Loop

Very scenic hike, mostly following old logging grades, up Scouten Brook and to the "emerald forest" - a sprawling, green moss carpeted spruce-fir forest atop the plateau, highly unusual for Pennsylvania. The isolated and untouched forest is surrounded by orange-streaked sandstone ledges towards the west. A bushwhack below the ledges reveals impressive rock overhangs, talus caves, and ravines. Scouten Brook sports cascading waterfalls, pools, hidden chasms, and red bedrock cliffs. A short bushwhack up a side stream reveals the seasonal Cali Falls, an impressive vertical drop surrounded by a beautiful grotto. Parking on Windy Valley Road is very limited. When starting the hike, be sure to stay within the narrow band of Game Land property (literally less than 50 feet) until you reach the first old forest road, parallel to the plateau, so that you don't trespass on private property. Additionally, the sharp left turn above Scouten Brook can be confusing - when you reach the top of the plateau, there are going to be two grades that merge from the left - make the sharp left turn at the second grade, not the first. Additionally, many parts of the trail within the Emerald Forest will likely be wet; if you can, stay on the trail - clever attempts to bypass the water degrade the quality of the forest. And, if you find yourself wanting to bushwhack, try to err on the side of following preexisting herd paths, if possible. And finally, most importantly, please treat this unique place with respect. That includes packing out what you pack in, not spraying graffiti on the beautiful sandstone cliffs, staying on trails whenever possible, not trampling pine saplings in the forest, not looting pretty rocks, etc.