Autumn brings falling leaves and beautiful scenes

Leaves are falling, air is becoming crisper and dark skies are beginning to creep in earlier in the evenings. As of September 22, Autumn is officially here – and it’s the perfect time to meander the great outdoors of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Hiking on the City of Lock Haven watershed property out near Keller Reservoir and Zindel Park recently, I had the opportunity to bask in the beauty of nature while enjoying the early fall weather. Admittedly, I tend to look forward to fall, while others wistfully watch summer fade away. I find that autumn suits me – it’s drier than spring and cooler than summer, making it easier to breathe, and the leaves are colorful as they prepare to descend to the ground for bleak winters.

So, in an attempt to enjoy what nature has to offer, my friend Maggie and I set out for a leisurely hike in McElhattan. As we made our way onto Bald Eagle Mountain, which is often used for local trail races, we found ourselves in what felt like a picture book, enveloped in trees beginning to don fiery-colored leaves. Light splashed through the branches and fell to the ground. We came across a few forks in the path and before long were at the foot of a natural pond, adjacent to a slate stone wall. It was the perfect resting place and we decided we’d soon be back – with pastels in tow – to do some en plein air artwork.

Of course, hiking isn’t the only way I’ve been treating myself to the spectacular views of the colorful landscapes that autumn brings. There are so many ways to experience the scenery: from hiking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding and fishing, to camping, road-tripping and even hang-gliding.

I encourage you to get outdoors to enjoy the beauty of autumn before the last leaves fall. There are so many sights to see, it may be difficult to choose where to begin. Below are a few of my favorite autumn destinations and scenic routes in the Pennsylvania Wilds:

• Bucktail Scenic Byway and the Hyner View State Park vista (Off the beaten path, by car: Route 120)
• Pine Creek Valley and the PA Grand Canyon (Off the beaten path, by car: Route 287, Route 6, Route 44)
• West Branch Susquehanna and the river towns (Renovo, Lock Haven, Jersey Shore, Williamsport) (Off the beaten path, by car: Route 120, Route 150, Route 654)
• Elk Scenic Drive and the Elk Country Visitor Center (Off the beaten path, by car: Route 153 from I-80 to Route 555, continue onto Route 120 or Route 144)
• Scenic Route 6 and Kinzua Bridge State Park

Enjoy!