AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Bethlehem Authority Wild Creek

Wild Creek Reservoir–Penn Forest Reservoir, 3 lakes

15.9 mi · ▲ 1,110 ft · 5 hr 51 min

Wild Creek Reservoir–Penn Forest Reservoir, 3 lakes is a 15.9-mile out-and-back in Bethlehem Authority Wild Creek near Christmans, PA. The route passes Penn Forest Reservoir before reaching Wild Creek Reservoir at the turnaround, 8 miles in. It climbs 1,110 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 69/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi843 – 1,677 ft · steepest grade: 21%16.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Sawmill Trail 40.97018, -75.62219
Nearest town Christmans, PA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Wild Creek Reservoir–Penn Forest Reservoir, 3 lakes

15.9 mi · ▲ 1,110 ft · 5 hr 51 min

Elevation 842–1,678 ft

Out & Back · Bethlehem Authority Wild Creek

Trailhead: Sawmill Trail · 40.97018, -75.62219

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:30 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 100 ftContinue straight onto Sawmill Trail, heading SE.
  3. 2 miBear left, heading E.
  4. 0.5 miTurn right, heading E.
  5. 1 miTurn left, heading E.
  6. 0.5 miTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 1 miBear right, heading S.
  8. 0.3 miPass Penn Forest Reservoir.
  9. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  10. 0.1 miBear left, heading S.
  11. 1.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  12. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  13. 400 ftBear right, heading SW.
  14. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
  15. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
  16. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  17. 0.5 miReach Wild Creek Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 0.5 miTurn left, heading N.
  19. 100 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  20. 0.4 miTurn left, heading NE.
  21. 0.3 miBear left, heading N.
  22. 400 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  23. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  24. 1.1 miBear right, heading N.
  25. 500 ftSharp left, heading NW.
  26. 0.3 miBear left, heading N.
  27. 1 miTurn left, heading NW.
  28. 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  29. 1 miTurn left, heading W.
  30. 0.4 miBear right, heading W.
  31. 2 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/wild-creek-reservoir-penn-forest-reservoir-out-back-3-lakes-24-km-694a

Weather

Sunrise 6:34 AMSunset 7:30 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~10 min). Leave by 7:01 PM for the 7:30 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:54 PM — 4 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Sawmill Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Christmans, Pennsylvania