AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Pa-5 Reservoir–Lake Scranton, 4 lakes

13.9 mi · ▲ 2,155 ft · 5 hr 43 min

Pa-5 Reservoir–Lake Scranton, 4 lakes is a 13.9-mile out-and-back near Spring Brook, PA. The route passes Stark Reservoir, Pa-5 Reservoir and Pa-5 Reservoir before reaching Lake Scranton at the turnaround, 7 miles in. It climbs 2,155 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi886 – 1,906 ft · steepest grade: 21%14.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.34935, -75.64186
Nearest town Spring Brook, PA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Pa-5 Reservoir–Lake Scranton, 4 lakes

13.9 mi · ▲ 2,155 ft · 5 hr 43 min

Elevation 887–1,908 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 41.34935, -75.64186

Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 7:28 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 1.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  3. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  4. 0.4 miBear left, heading W.
  5. 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  6. 0.4 miBear right, heading NW.
  7. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  8. 150 ftPass Stark Reservoir.
  9. 250 ftSharp right, heading W.
  10. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  11. 0.1 miSharp left, heading E.
  12. 0.5 miBear left, heading NE.
  13. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  14. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  15. 0.2 miPass Pa-5 Reservoir.
  16. 0.3 miPass Pa-5 Reservoir.
  17. 250 ftContinue straight onto Ore Mine Road, heading NE.
  18. 3 miPass Lake Scranton.
  19. 450 ftReach Pa-5 Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  20. 3.7 miTurn right, heading S.
  21. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  22. 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
  23. 0.5 miSharp right, heading SW.
  24. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  25. 0.1 miSharp left, heading W.
  26. 400 ftBear right, heading W.
  27. 0.1 miBear left, heading SW.
  28. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
  29. 250 ftBear right, heading SE.
  30. 0.4 miBear left, heading SE.
  31. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  32. 1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/pa-5-reservoir-lake-scranton-out-back-5-lakes-22-km-afcd

Trail surface

79% dirt4% gravel17% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 7:28 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.6 mi in (~15 min). Leave by 6:52 PM for the 7:28 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Spring Brook, Pennsylvania