Places We Can’t Understand: Devil’s Pool
This is only our third entry into our Places We Can’t Understand category here on Philebrity, but already, it’s looking pretty clear that the category should really be named, “Places We Can’t Understand (But Love Anyway).” And while the first two focused on weird corners of the city, for this one, let’s take it back to nature: Specifically, Devil’s Pool in Wissahickon Creek. According to Wikipedia:
Devil’s Pool is an attraction best reached from Valley Green by crossing the stream and taking the footpath on the eastern bank, going downstream to the mouth of the Cresheim Creek. As the ravine widens into the Cresheim, the waters gather in a basin surrounded on either side by rocky outcroppings before flowing into the Wissahickon Creek. Legend has it that the Native American Lenape tribes used this as a spiritual area. Although it is not legal due to unsafe levels of pollutants, Devil’s pool has become a popular area to swim, lounge, and drink.
We must admit: This was all news to us, but the Devil’s Pool Is Really Cool blog acts as a kind of explainer to the magical, mystical, and perhaps batty allure of this area. Here, a pair of buds chronicle their wintertime dips in the Devil’s Pool (they’ve been making a habit of it these last two weeks), complete with video and reader submitted questions: “Has anyone ever died at Devil’s Pool?” (No, not that they know of.) “Would you ever jump from the bridge into Devil’s Pool?” (What are you, nuts?) And so on. Meanwhile, we’ve never been, but we sure could use some of that Lenape healing right about now. It’s not that cold, is it?
Previously: Places We Can’t Understand: The Fifth Street Tunnel
Previously: Places We Can’t Understand: The Back Room At Lorenzo’s
Is there a Place You Can’t Understand in Philly? Some nook or cranny that makes no sense whatsoever? Let us know about it at tips[at]philebrity[dot]com.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I was there one day last summer and someone did, in fact, jump off the bridge. He had perfect pencil-style landing form. I wouldn’t recommend it. Crazy to see.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Many people from high school (Bishop McDevitt) would go up on the aqua duct on sunny half days to drink the rest of the afternoon away. The top of which is rounded off with no railings and a serious fall to the rocks below. Whenever I cross it anymore I think how incredible it was no one was hurt or died.
It has been re-discovered recently by a huge crowd of kids. On hot days you’d think it was a water park with all the people crowded into it. It’s quite a spectacle to see and hear from across the Wissahickon on Forbidden Drive.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
My first trip there was with some west philly weirdos who said they stumbled upon it while on some kind of acid induced vision quest. It was amazing, beautiful and clean. Over the years its gotten pretty nasty, garbage everywhere, discarded clothes & condoms, broken glass. I used to go after the bars let out in the summer. I once tried swimming there in the daytime, when I got there it was mobbed. People bbqing in the middle of the river and fully clothed swimmers. hot dogs and trash were like bread crumbs leading to the swimming hole. Walking down the path me and friends were behind an obese couple who were trying to push a stroller through the rocky trails. It was crazy.
December 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
It is seriously a crime the way people treat that place. Absolutely despicable.
December 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
The last few years seem to be especially bad. One day last summer a park guard stopped while on Forbidden Drive (which is across the creek several hundred feet away) and yelled across to tell everyone they weren’t supposed to be there. If anyone did hear him they sure didn’t care. He shrugged his shoulders suggesting that’s all he can and will do and went about his way.
With the uncertainty of the Parks & Rec merger and reluctance of cops to venture that far into the park it may remain a lawless area for some time. It’s like Pakistan’s tribal area done Philly style.
December 17th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Johannes Kelpius is weeping in his grave.
December 17th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I experienced the same horror last summer. And to add to the list of garbage that can be found there, we saw a diaper floating in the water.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
“electricdork Says:
December 17th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I experienced the same horror last summer. And to add to the list of garbage that can be found there, we saw a diaper floating in the water.”
Just be glad the baby wasn’t still attached.
December 21st, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Hey Lord Whiny, before you go telling us what Johannes Kelpius is doing in his grave why don’t you go check out the blog. We are not Puerto Rican gang members who like to smoke blunts and impregnate teenage girls in between jumps off the rocks. We go there and enjoy it when it is not crowded and also do our best to keep it as clean as possible. This means that we often pick up trash that was not our own (a novel concept these days in Philadelphia, i know)
In fact, the more “normal law abiding citizens” we can get interested in the pool the more hands there will be in the future to guard against idiots who want to spray paint or make condom balloons.
And as for the idea that it is like Pakistan’s Tribal area done Philly style I suggest that you go down in the tenderloin section and spend a day or two in a crack house, then come check out Devil’s Pool again.
Sorry if I sound a little bitter, but instead of knocking the place and the people who love it why not come and try to show some support for some people who would like to promote the healthy and responsible use of nature’s glorious gifts within our city limits.