Mauch Chunk Lake Park: Part 2

Moving up the lake I am going to start where the last post did, except when you turn into the main driveway I am taking you right instead of left. The roads to the left lead to the campgrounds and day use areas. To access this part of the park there is a fee. For the day use areas the current fees are as follows:

Adults: $3.00 (resident of Carbon County) $5 (non-resident)

Children: $2.00 (resident) $3.00 (non-resident)

Children under 3, the disabled and adults over 65 receive free admission.

The camping rates vary dependent upon site. To check pricing or make reservations you can call the park office between 8:30 and 4:30 Mon-Fri at (570) 325-366. 

If you live in the area you can also stop by the office to make reservations for camping. 

The day use area has one of the largest beaches in the area.

There are also nice picnicking spots between the beach and the campgrounds. Today was a weekday after a rain and no one was out enjoying a cookout by the water. You may want to keep that in mind. Weekends are usually much busier so if you can get out on a weekday you don't have to be around as many people. 

There are cottages available and the campsites are pretty much the same as other locations. There are some waterfront sites. I took some friends here for a weekend last year. The overall experience was pretty good. It was on a weekend so there were a lot of people. A group near had a few drinks and got into an argument with other campers. Alcohol is not permitted anywhere within Mauch Chunk Lake Park. The local police did come in after the park rangers warned the group to settle down and they did not. If you do enough camping though, you learn that this happens just about anywhere on busy weekends. My friends had a good time so, even a little commotion doesn't ruin a camping trip.   

There are trails that lead out of the campground towards the top of the lake. They can be accessed from parking lots other than the campgrounds and are free to walk and no pass is needed. If you take them be prepared for an adventure. Portions of the trail are not maintained and you may have to do some climbing over trees or deciding which path is the right one to take. The trails are not clearly labeled, but are supposed to go around the entirety of the lake.

These trees have been down for years. On the other side is a boardwalk again with a tree overtop. The trails are still fun to hike, but maybe aren't for the beginner or those who don't like working around obstacles. 

A second boat launch is located at the upper portion of the lake. There are mooring sites here which can be rented out for the year and this is usually the place I go to launch my boat or do some fishing from shore. 

Around the lake there are a lot of little surprises if you are willing to look for them. This is a newly emerged Calico Pennant Dragonfly. Its wings are not yet hardened, it does not have its full coloration yet and you can see its larval exoskeleton still clinging to the grass blade.

A calm day on the lake with spectacular views.

If you are lucky you may even run into a Bald Eagle like I did today. I heard it from the opposite shore and paddled across the lake to get some shots. 

There will be one more part to the Mauch Chunk Lake Park posts and I have saved one of the best things found in the park for last. Well, that is, if you like birds. I will try to have the next part up early next week. In the meantime I am going to try to add some plant and animal posts to show you some of the more common creatures we have around Eastern PA. 

Gouldsboro State Park

Not to far off of route 380, you can find Gouldsboro State Park in Wayne County. Like many of the state parks in Northeast PA, the main attraction is a lake. Gouldsboro Lake is perfect for fishing, boating (no large watercraft) and swimming. There are also a lot of hiking opportunities available, with some trails connecting to those of Tobyhanna State Park and Black Bear and Bender Swamps Natural Area. Both of these parks share a border with Gouldsboro. If you decide to do a longer hike I would suggest parking at Tobyhanna, due to the sign below.  

Just remember if you go hiking here and get lost, they will lock you in.

This wild turkey was on the main park road into Gouldsboro. I had my dog Penny in the car and it wanted nothing to do with her or her barking.

Not many state parks have basketball courts, Gouldsboro has this one. It was only a half court, but was in good condition. This is most easily accessed by parking in parking area No. 1.

There are a few picnic tables with grills by the lakeside. The grass was not mowed, but I would think by Memorial Day that will be taken care of. It is still the beginning of the picnicking season so not everything is ready yet. They are located near the beach area and the swing sets below. There is another covered picnic table with grill and paved access that goes right up to it, for those who might have a little trouble walking.

This really is the coolest view I have ever seen from swings out of any park. Just imagine being a kid again and trying your hardest to swing as high as you could over the lake.

This beach area is large compared to the size of the park. 

For parents this is a good thing to know before you head out to the park. It just means you have to keep a more watchful eye when the kids get out swimming.

One dock is available for fishing. There are other boat docks in the park, but they are specifically for boating.

An island out in Gouldsboro Lake.

Canada Geese with goslings.

I hiked this trail while I was there. I did not take a park map with me which would have been helpful. Once you get to the railroad there are no signs directing you to where the trail picks up again. I had two options, left or right because the trail did not continue strait across the tracks. I chose left and it was not the way to pick up the trail. I did get more views of the lake so it wasn't bad. The park maps are extremely helpful though. They can be picked up at the office at Tobyhanna or at some of the information boards in Gouldsboro.

This was a first for me in Pennsylvania. I have seen signs like this before though, Sandy Hook in New Jersey also has the possibility of finding live munitions on its grounds. 

These were in bloom around the main stream flowing into the lake.

The wrong way down the tracks.

View from the opposite shore of the beach. For more information on Gouldsboro or a digital map you can go to this address: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/gouldsboro/