The best walks and hikes in Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve At Moosic Mountain

Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails throughout the preserve. It's a popular place for local dog walkers, so you're likely to meet other furry friends on your hike.

The main access point with parking is the Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain lot, located off a deeded access road in Jessup. This is the starting point for many of the preserve's trails.

Yes, the preserve offers trails suitable for various skill levels. For a relatively gentle walk that still showcases the area's unique landscape, consider the Hiking loop from Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain. It's a 3.3-mile (5.3 km) route that provides a great introduction to the heath barrens.

The preserve is a haven for wildlife. Birdwatchers can look for species like the ruffed grouse, hermit thrush, and various warblers, especially during spring migration. The area also supports white-tailed deer, black bears, and rare insects like the barrens buckmoth. For your safety, always observe wildlife from a distance.

Most of the popular routes in the preserve are loops. For a moderately challenging circular hike with rewarding views, the Valley Outlook loop from Throop is an excellent choice. It covers 5.4 miles (8.7 km) and includes some steady climbs.

For expansive views, the Blueberry Trail is highly recommended. It runs along ridgetops with low shrubs, offering open vistas of the surrounding landscape, which are particularly beautiful at sunset. You can reach these views via the Top of the World loop from Dunmore.

Yes, the preserve features a Waterfall Trail. While not a large cascade, it offers a pleasant natural feature within the trail system. You can incorporate a visit to the waterfall as part of a longer hike through the preserve's network.

The trails range in length, offering everything from short walks to more strenuous treks. Routes can be as short as 3 miles (5 km) or can be combined into challenging 10-12 mile (16-19 km) loops like the Grand Tour Loop for a full day of hiking.

The terrain is quite varied. You can expect a mix of wide, gravel paths and rocky, single-track trails. The landscape is defined by its unique ridge-top heath barrens, with stunted pine and oak forests and an understory of huckleberry and blueberry bushes. Some routes involve significant elevation gain.

There is no direct public transportation to the preserve's trailheads. The most convenient way to access the Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain is by car.

Yes, in addition to hiking, the preserve is a popular destination for mountain biking, with most trails open to cyclists. Hunting is also permitted in designated areas during specific seasons, so it's a good practice for hikers to wear bright colors, especially during the fall.

The Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve is home to one of the best-preserved ridge-top heath barrens in the eastern United States. This rare habitat creates a distinct and beautiful landscape that changes with the seasons, offering a different experience from typical forest hikes in the region.