Thunder Swamp Trail Northwest, June 13, 2020, Delaware State Forest, Pennsylvania

Zoe Dog Retrieving a Stick in the Open Swamp at the Spruce Run Let Out

As soon as we got back from our hike of Fourth Run, my brother and I started checking the maps to find another location where we could meet up again. A predicted run of cool temps and sunshine expedited our efforts, and we settled on a state forest that neither of us had ever explored - Delaware State Forest, the easternmost in Pennsylvania. It is home to a long, looping trail called Thunder Swamp.

We decided on a 12 mile one way hike of the northwestern section, which would include an internal side loop of the remote Pennel Run Natural Area. We chose a Saturday due to the excellent forecast, but feared that a nice weekend day would mean mobbed trails.

Normally, we'd be on the trail at 5 a.m., but we both needed about 2 hours to drive to the trail head from our respective homes. So the late start of 7 a.m. exacerbated fears of a crowded trail.

We started from the small parking area for Thunder Swamp Trail off Snow Hill Road. It turned out to be a false start. We headed northeast on a very clear track, but soon realized there were no blazes. A quick look at the map and compass led us to realize the trail would probably be due west, and we bushwhacked about a 1/2 mile down a ravine and connected with the real trail easily enough. We turned north on the orange-blazed Thunder Swamp Trail.

Giant Ferns in Pennel Run Natural Area

To the west of Thunder Swamp Trail is the Pennel Run Natural Area and we chose to add that loop trail to our hike because we figured it would be remote and have few people. That turned out to be true... so true that the loop trail was totally overgrown with giant ferns and it took both our efforts - and those of our canine companion - to follow the way by sight and smell. But, sure enough, we had the entire loop all to ourselves.

Back on Thunder Swamp Trail, we found a perfect lunch spot on the edge of a wetlands just north of the trail where it crosses Spruce Run on a bridge for the second time. You can't see the water's edge from the trail, but a short bushwhack along the creek to the north from the bridge takes you right there. It felt more akin to something you'd see in Maine than Pennsylvania. Great place for a break.

Trail Bridge over Spruce Run

After lunch, we made great time with no additional breaks and encountered only two parties of hikers. Once we hit the final stretch on Burnt Mill Trail, however, we had the great misfortune of realizing it is a designated ATV trail... so we ended what was an otherwise great hike with the sound of engines, rather than that of the birds.

Hike: Thunder Swamp Trail (Northwest Section) and Pennel Run Natural Area
Distance: 12 miles
Route: One way (shuttle), Thunder Swamp Trail (from Snow Hill Road), to Pennel Run Connector, south to Hay Road Trail, to Pennel Run Trail, to Hay Road Trail, to Thunder Swamp Trail, to Thunder Swamp Spur, to Burnt Mill Trail
Conditions: Sunny, 80 degrees F
Notable Flora Fauna: Dog ticks and poison ivy