Cole Run Falls and the Blue Hole

Cole Run Falls

Gov. Wolf has ordered Allegheny County residents to remain at home, except for a very few reasons. Fortunately it is definitely still permitted to go to parks.

We just need to all make sure this is a very low risk activity, by practicing social distancing and avoiding contact with surfaces that the virus may live on. Currently I believe all our local parks are open, but all the facilities at those parks such as restrooms are closed. So it's up to all of us to keep our parks clean, and if you're normally into hugging random strangers at the park, you will have to change your habits. I am doing my best to keep myself sane and get myself and my family fresh air and sunshine whenever I possibly can. I'm keeping an eye on the weather, and getting out whenever the weather isn't yucky.

On Sunday, it was lovely, and we took a hike in Forbes State Forest to see Cole Run Falls and the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is a famous deep pool in Cole Run that has a turquoise blue cast. We parked at the parking area for Cole Run Falls, and found the waterfall a very short distance away. Then we hiked the Cole Run Trail and saw the Blue Hole from above, walking back along the road to make a loop back to the parking area. It was a beautiful walk. Nothing was blooming on the trail, but coltsfoot was beginning to bloom along the road. It's not a PA native, but it is a sunny yellow flower and appreciated because it's one of the  very earliest wildflowers to bloom.  Next we hopped in the car and drove to the Blue Hole parking area, where we got a better view of it from ground level. This is a short hike with some stunning scenery that will only increase in beauty as spring brings more life to the forest. 

Cole Run Falls

Cole Run Falls

Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot

The Blue Hole

The Blue Hole