Trough Creek is out of the way, rustic and several other similarly descriptive words. Even in the beginning of June and rather nice weather, the campground was completely empty. The campground is about two miles from the park office and facilities at the campground would fit into the “rustic” description. And there’s no showers…
There are several good hiking trails and day-use seemed to be the norm. There are two major destinations within the park and both are short, easy walks from the campground.
As you can see, balanced rock is well-named. It was part of a cliff that eroded and now appears to sit precariously balanced waiting for some small force to send it over the edge into the creek far below. Balanced Rock trail starts about a quarter mile south of the campground. It is short but you can access several other longer trails along the way to or after your visit to the rock. After crossing a suspension bridge over Great Trough Creek, you then navigate Rainbow Falls and then up the very uneven steps up to the viewing area.
The second destination is the ice mine, about a half mile in the opposite direction. It isn’t really a mine but it sure was cold. Within the rocks that make up the hillside air can flow through. In the spring and early summer this air is cold and sinks, sometimes very quickly. This opening, about ten feet below ground level is where that cold air comes out. Our experience was typical, I suppose. As we went down the steps, early summer temperatures were quickly replaced by an air conditioner set on high.
Yes, there was still plenty of ice.
On the way home, we decided to take in a couple of the overlooks on the other side of Lake Raystown. The lake is the largest lake completely within Pennsylvania. Raystown Dam backs up the snake-like Raystown Branch of the Juniata River for nearly 28 miles. At its maximum, it is 225 feet above the original stream bed and is 1700 feet long.