Mr. Rice and I took the young'uns on the 2.5 mile hike to Bruce Lake. This is part of Promised Land State Park. What a wonderful way to spend a sunny September afternoon in Pike County!
The beginning of the Bruce Lake Trail is gravel, but the majority of it is a wide, grassy road. Some hills, bumps, and rocks along the way - but it's very easy and even a couch potato like my son can do it.
The sunshine falling over Panther Swamp was breathtakingly beautiful. Bruce Lake has a few other trails branching off it.
My mom used to collect princess pine from the woods behind our home for making cemetery wreaths at Christmas time. I had a pang of nostalgia when I spotted these specimens along the Bruce Lake hiking trail! (Do not remove anything, including ground cover like princess pine, from state land without a permit!)
More Pike County beauty!
As stated earlier, the majority of the Bruce Lake trail is a wide grassy road.
I love the quietness of the woods. The stillness is good for the soul.
I almost expect to see a wood nymph peeking around the corner. I love living in Pike County, Pennsylvania - and we're especially blessed to be so close to Promised Land State Park.
This is Balsam Swamp, off of Egypt Meadow Lake, as seen along the Bruce Lake hiking trail in Pike County.
Balsam Swamp, by Egypt Meadow Lake - seen along the Bruce Lake hiking trail.
Without a doubt, this is my favorite photo - Balsam Swamp/Egypt Meadow Lake...yet another beautiful part of the Promised Land State Park/ Bruce Lake area in Pike County.
More nostalgia! My aunt and I used to pick elderberries from by the pond back home, to make jam. The birds around Egypt Meadow Lake have enjoyed these berries, I suppose!
Balsam Swamp/ Egypt Meadow Lake.
Balsam Swamp/Egypt Meadow Lake
The goldenrod is one of the first signs of the beautiful autumn colors to soon paint all of Pike County PA in radiant beauty.
At long last, the end of the trail - Bruce Lake!
Bruce Lake is accessible only by hiking, but you can fish there! We saw several breaking water. Supposedly has pickeral, bass, panfish, and muskies?
Bruce Lake in Pike County.
