The Brodhead Watershed Association offers an adventure to young people wanting to get outside for a while: a scavenger hunt at Ice Lake in Monroe County.

Ice Lake is a little jewel of a preserve in Barrett Township – 70+ acres perfect for outdoor fun for families.

Armed with a checklist of natural features to find, kids can “collect” the scavenger items by snapping a picture.

The hunt will include a huge old oak tree, hay-scented fern, lichen, a baby hemlock tree, wintergreen, barberry, witch hazel, and a very notable boulder.

It’s not just the scavenger hunt that will interest kids. There is a lot to see at the lake: fish jumping for insects, pollywogs basking on sunny underwater branches, and the deep “galoom-galoom” of bullfrogs.

A log bridge spans Hardytown Run, and a dam provides a selfie background at the mossy waterfall where the creek leaves the lake, picks up speed and bubbles downstream.

A great way – and a great place – for a fun family getaway.

If You Go

The scavenger hunt is fun for adults and elementary-age children. Get clues, photos, video and information at the Ice Lake Scavenger Hunt webpage.

Click Here to watch a video on the scavenger hunt.  [Special thanks to Tom Gregory of Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau for the videography.]

Take only pictures and leave only shadows! Children up to age 12 may submit their photos to BWA for special acknowledgement during the summer of 2020.

Ice Lake is off Route 390 in Cresco, Pa. GPS coordinates: 41.147435, -75.289393

The trail is mixed: wide and well-groomed in some places, rocky and narrow in others. A hiking stick is helpful for balance. Stay on trails — poison ivy is abundant.

Go to the Get Outdoors Poconos webpage for information on Ice Lake as well as other hikes in the Get Outdoors Poconos series. The series is administered by Brodhead Watershed Association and supported by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Association.  Click Here to become a member.

Related Articles:

-- PA Land Trust Association Makes Available Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Resources For Conservation Groups

-- Dept. Of Health Reminds Pennsylvanians About Ticks, Warns Some Symptoms Of Lyme Disease Similar To COVID-19

-- DCNR Good Natured Blog: Pennsylvania Fireflies

-- Registration Open For Capital Area Greenbelt Assn. Virtual Tour de Belt July 20-August 8

-- Wildlife For Everyone: Soaring Eagle Wetland, Centre County

-- Game Commission: Wildlife On WiFi To Continue Connecting Pennsylvanians To Wildlife

-- Visitors Invited Back To Gov. Pinchot's Grey Towers Historic Site In Pike County June 29

-- June 19 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

-- Trout Unlimited: U.S. Senate Passes Land & Water Conservation Fund Bill With Strong Support From Sportsmen

[Posted: June 16, 2020]

6/22/2020