Ralph Stover State Park is located in a gorge along Tohickon Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Historically referred to as just “Stover”, it is more common in recent times to also hear called “High Rocks”. The cliffs are composed of Lockatong, Argillite and Brunswick Shale that is very brittle and friable in places. The area has a long tradition of ground up first ascents. You will still find many of these routes are available for trad but they are also increasingly popular as top ropes. There are very few sport routes.
In the fall of 2020, EPAC worked with DCNR and Bucks County Parks to establish a trail system that runs from Tohickon Valley Park to the High Rocks Vista parking area and on to Ralph Stover. While these trails have been in existence for many years. no formal trail markings or mapping existing. Over 8 miles of trail were maintained, blazed and mapped.
While the majority of visitors who uses these trails are hikers, it is still of great benefit to the climbing community. First, it directs non-climbers to trailheads in other parking areas. Second, by stabilizing and providing erosion control on the trails that run above the cliffs, we can save the top edge of the cliffs as well as the trail beneath it.
VOLUNTEERS: 32
WORK HOURS: 150+
STEPS BUILT: 12
DRAINS INSTALLED: 3
MILES OF TRAIL MAINTAINED: 8.5
