State Game Lands 13
Davidson Twp., Sullivan County
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Difficulty: ✮✮✮✮✩ 4/5 (Difficult)
Sullivan Run is one of those creeks that should only be hiked with the understanding that it can be difficult and dangerous, since most of the hike involves walking in the creek and up the waterfalls. Yes, climbing the waterfalls, it's the only way to see all of the falls on Sullivan Run.
Start by parking in the small lot for Sullivan Falls on Jamison City Road. There are times that this road has been washed out from floods, so use caution. Also, there is no winter maintenance on this road, travel at your own risk in the winter time. From the parking area, follow a small path at the rear of the lot down to see Sullivan Falls, appx. 100 yards away. To get to the base of Sullivan Falls, you will need to use the small path and switchbacks downstream of the falls.
If you are unsure of your upper body strength or have a fear of heights, this is where you should stop. The next part of the hike will be difficult and can challenge even experienced hikers.
To proceed up Sullivan Run, you can approach it two ways. One is through the creek. You'll walk upstream on Sullivan Run mostly on the right side until the ledges start to rise up, forcing you to cross over or walk in the creek until you get to Pigeon Run. The other option is to walk up Jamison City Road from the parking lot and pick up a small path about .1 mile that will cross Big Run and eventually lead you to Pigeon Run. I prefer this route since you will not miss any of the falls on Sullivan Run and you will see 3 of the falls on Pigeon Run.
If you choose to follow the path to Pigeon Run, the hike from the parking area is roughly .5 miles. Once you cross Pigeon Run, there is a waterfall directly downstream and one about 30 yards upstream. Cross Pigeon Run and walk downstream, there is a small, faint path, but bushwhacking will be needed closer to Sullivan Run. Once you are back on Sullivan Run, make sure to look back at Pigeon Run to see the last fall, a straight drop fall that is a trickle most of the year.
Now the hard part. When you walk upstream of Pigeon, stay on the right side of the creek until you reach the first waterfall, a small, 8-10 foot slide. The rocks surrounding here are very slick, if you choose to stay in the water and climb up, there is little to grab on to. On the left side of the fall, there is a way to climb up and over, however, stinging nettles in the summer make this a painful route. Continue above this fall, crossing just above this fall and once more before the next waterfall.
This next fall is only to be crossed on the left side. The pool below the falls is extremely deep, however, if you stay on the left, you'll need to walk in the water a bit before finally walking up the left side of the fall. After this fall is a 2 step waterfall called Atticus Falls. To climb up this one, you'll need to climb up on the right side of both steps.
The next waterfall is a small, 6-8 foot fall with a small fall directly above it. Cross this one on the left, but beware of stinging nettles again while walking above this fall. Walk the creek for a bit above this fall before Hunts Run comes in from the left. If the water level is good, Hunts Run has an immediate drop in to Sullivan Run and you should be able to look up and see a larger waterfall upstream. After Hunts Run is probably one of the coolest waterfalls in the area, Suckhole Falls. When the water level is low enough, the water actually drops through the rock instead of over it.
To get above Suckhole Falls, stay on the right side and climb up. You should be able to see the water coming through the rock as well as over it. After you get above Suckhole Falls, Triple Falls is in the distance. Triple Falls is the last large waterfall on Sullivan Run until you get almost to the headwaters of Sullivan Run where there is a larger waterfall that I've only seen once from above.
Triple Falls should be climbed on the right. The lower and middle sections are very photogenic, while the uppermost part is full of debris. Generally, after Triple Falls, I catch the next tributary on the right and hike up to the grade and follow it back to the parking area. There are more falls on Sullivan Run, but I have only seen them once. When I get back here again, the guide will be updated.
To see a 14 minute video I made of one of my hikes along Sullivan Run, click Here

• A lot of waterfalls, not a lot of tourists

State game lands in the state. Public access to SGL 13 is provided from State Route 118 to the south, State Route 220 to the west, and State Route 487 which runs through the eastern side of SGL 13. A variety of other state and township roads run through or along SGL 13.

• Footing can be difficult
• Literally hiking up the waterfalls or very close to them

• Not Handicapped Accessible

In State Game Lands 13, just west of Ricketts Glen State Park, is a place of incredible natural beauty. I call it the Waterfall Wonderland and it is hike number 31 in Hiking the Endless Mountains.

Here, Heberly Run and Sullivan Branch descend from the vast plateaus, carving incredible gorges and several beautiful waterfalls. Cliffs and ledges often line the streams, which are crystal clear. Deep pools have been sculpted from the bedrock, which is often bright red or even pink. In the gorges are thick temperate forests and an incredible biodiversity. It is simply one of the most special places in the Mid Atlantic.

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Last weekend I joined Ryan, Wes, Bill, and his nephew Sawyer on a hike into the gorges. There are no trails along the streams. It is an arduous bushwhack, but the scenery is more than worth it.

We met at Sullivan Falls in the morning and worked our way up Sullivan Branch. The sunlight cut through the mist and electrified the leaves. I’ve hiked this circuit many times and I believe this was the first time I hiked it counter-clockwise. Pigeon Run Falls sprayed from the right. Sullivan Branch has many waterslides and cascading waterfalls in mossy grottos surrounded by cliffs and ledges. Deep pools adorn the creek. Red and white bedrock were wiped clean by the floods last year.

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We reached the top and followed the trail across the plateau. The trail is now obvious and in fairly good shape, although it is not blazed. We left the trail and descended to Quinn and Shanty Runs to a place of amazing beauty where you are surrounded by waterfalls that feed into an aquamarine pool.

Pigeon Run In State Game Lands 13th

We resumed the hike and reached Lewis Falls, where we spoke to another hiker. I tough descent followed as we reached the bottom of the falls.

Lewis Falls

We continued down Heberly Run to two more falls- Twin and Big. Lower Twin Falls plunged into an incredibly deep, clear pool. There was one waterslide above deep red bedrock. Big Falls is simply impressive, as towering cliffs dripping with springs surround the falls.

A hike down Heberly Run followed until we reached Sullivan Branch again. This time we simply hiked up Sullivan Branch, something I never did before; I normally just took the dirt road. Sullivan Branch from Sullivan Falls to Heberly Run was very beautiful with boulders and many ledges, pools, and waterslides.

Sullivan Falls

Sullivan Falls soon came into view from a distance, marking the end of our incredible sojourn.

Please visit, but treat this special place with respect. It is a difficult, and potentially dangerous, hike and bushwhack. No trails follow the creeks, so you must often hike in and along the streams. Passing the waterfalls is difficult. Sullivan Branch is often encased with cliffs, and in places, you must climb up along the waterfalls. Usually, the bedrock provides good traction. It will be a hike you won’t soon forget.

More pictures.

More hike information on Mid Atlantic Hikes.