Bethlehem Authority Wild Creek
Penn Forest Reservoir & Sawmill Trail
15.2 mi · ▲ 1,055 ft · 5 hr 36 min
Penn Forest Reservoir & Sawmill Trail is a 15.2-mile out-and-back in Bethlehem Authority Wild Creek near Dotters Corners, PA. The route reaches Penn Forest Reservoir. It climbs 1,055 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Penn Forest Reservoir & Sawmill Trail
15.2 mi · ▲ 1,055 ft · 5 hr 36 min
Elevation 928–1,678 ft
Out & Back · Bethlehem Authority Wild Creek
Trailhead: 40.92238, -75.53645
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:30 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.7 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 1.1 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Penn Forest Reservoir.
- 0.1 miSharp left, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading N.
- 1 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading N.
- 1 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
- 1.4 miContinue straight onto Sawmill Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miReach Penn Forest Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.6 miBear left, heading E.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading N.
- 1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 1 miBear right, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading SE.
- 500 ftBear left, heading S.
- 1.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading S.
- 0.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.4 mi in (~157 min). Leave by 4:33 PM for the 7:30 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:03 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from this trailhead
- Wild Creek Reservoir 3 mi · ▲ 137 ft
- Penn Forest Reservoir Loop 4.8 mi · ▲ 354 ft
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