Big Gulph Recreation Area is owned by the Regional Water Authority. Only those with permits can access its areas. Yearly permits are relatively inexpensive(~$ 25) and include maps and descriptions of all trails, parking passes and codes, and a quarterly newsletter. The Big Gulph Recreation Area is located behind Northford Park. Basically, you have to park in the park’s parking lot, and keep walking back, all the way behind the baseball field and last soccer field. I’ve always started my route to the right. As you follow the main route, you see the reservoir to your left and(surprise!) people’s homes you never knew existed. You’ll even spy some yellow signs warning you that bears have been sighted here! Eventually, you will come upon the stream fishing area, and are able to walk around some official looking water facility buildings. At some point, you will reach a divergence in the path. There will be a dead end trail to your left, a narrow higher rocky trail to somewhere around the middle of your POV, and to the right a leisurely gravel path. The leisurely gravel path is actually a looped trail that connects to the narrow high rocky trail! If you start down the gravel path, prepared to be slightly bored for a few miles. It is relatively flat and shady with a few open fields or nature trail spot points. Eventually though, the trail turns around a couple of large piles of gravel up a pretty steep(and rocky) incline. When you reach the top, there are some great scenic views. For the remainder of the downhill path, you will genuinely feel like you are in the middle of the woods, even using makeshift plank bridges to cross areas that flood in the springtime. Most people I have encountered on this trail took advantage of the stream fishing. I don’t think I’d go alone though – I’m not sure what I’d do if I ever saw a bear!(Although illegal quad activity still takes place in these woods from neighboring communities, and I’m sure with all the noise, the bears are content to stay away!) *Update* Fall 2011 The«bears have been sighted here» signs were taken away. The 4.5 mile trail I talked about has a lot of downed trees. It’s definitely a challenge getting around all of them, but the trail is much more beautiful in the fall. This time I even spotted a deer!
