Journey to Falls Cut

For those looking for an adventure, consider a trip to Fall's Cut Tunnel, located in Fairhope, PA. Built in 1897, this tunnel was constructed to provide access through Big Savage Mountain, located at one of the steepest grades situated on the CSX mainline running between Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.

The tunnel cuts through the red rock of an Appalachian mountain side that has a fault line running through it. If you like geology, you will not want to miss this site!

There is a railroad bridge running over Will's creek on both sides of the tunnel. Please be careful on your approach. Trains run frequently on the track and it is illegal to be on CSX property. The side of the mountain, that is towards Glencoe, PA has a natural waterfall running below it. It is a favorite swimming hole for those daring and adventurous enough to travel to it through rough terrain.

The waterfall empties into a large pool of still water that awaits those looking for an invigorating plunge into fresh, clean, mountain water. It is deep enough to swim in! 

When the water is deep enough, you can jump in from the rocks overhanging the edge of the creek. As you can see from this photo the rock ledges are well decorated. This photo was taken in July. The water is quite low at this time of the year.

On your way to the Fall's Cut swimming hole you will enjoy the many wildflowers of the region!

If you visit in mid-June, take a moment to appreciate the mountain laurel! Growing on the hillsides, near Will's Creek, you will see the beautiful blossoms!

Mountain laurel was designated as Pennsylvania's official state flower in 1933. Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub that is native to the eastern United States (from southern Maine to northern Florida and west to Indiana and Louisiana).

Mountain laurel is also known as ivybush, calico bush, sheep laurel, lambkill, clamoun, and spoonwood (native Americans used to make spoons from the wood). 

The mountain laurel is one of the most beautiful of native American shrubs and the fragrant star-shaped white and pink flowers have attracted travelers since early colonial days (first recorded in America in 1624).

The Pennsylvania state flower is actually an evergreen shrub that’s related to the rhododendron. It grows in openings of spruce-fir forests and generally reaches between 6-10 feet tall. 

Mountain Laurel does particularly well in the Appalachian Mountains and can be found in much of the eastern United States.

Clusters of delicate blooms open in umbrella-like fashion in red, pink or white. Because a single bush can produce many flowers, a hillside of blooming mountain laurel looks spectacular. Each year, nature lovers from Allentown to Waterford head to the mountains to catch the Pennsylvania state flower in bloom.