Outdoor Recreation

November 22, 2023

BIRD LORE: The wild turkey

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and it is time to acknowledge the splendor, as well as the goofiness, of the central character of the feast! Wild turkeys are very large and heavy game birds, native to North America.  This is probably part of what made them so attractive for the first Thanksgiving.

November 14, 2023

Down Life’s Crazy Road: Trails and tales

Last time, I wrote about my planned round trip bike ride in late October from Kane to Warren and back through the Allegheny National Forest and Kinzua Recreation Area. Turns out the overnight ride was cancelled as it rained the day of the return trip from Warren back to Kane. But while it temporarily put those plans on hold, it allowed me the opportunity to take a closer look at the planned routes I was to take. I did this by taking a day trip last month by car.

November 9, 2023

State parks along the West Branch Susquehanna River

Did you know that some of state parks in the Pennsylvania Wilds are within the Susquehanna Greenway, the area around the Susquehanna River? The PA Wilds section of the Susquehanna Green includes the West Branch Susquehanna River, which flows 228 miles total and is one of two principal branches of the mighty Susquehanna.

November 2, 2023

Donut Hole Trail: 90 miles along the West Branch Susquehanna River

Donut Hole Trail is a 90-mile route that parallels the Susquehanna River and passes through Sproul State Forest, amidst some of the thickest wooded areas in Pennsylvania. It provides an amazing backpacking trip for an overnight experience within PA’s premier wilderness, and also can be divided into some great options for day-hikers. From point-to-point, the Donut Hole Trail runs between Jericho and Farrandsville, PA, mostly running within Clinton County, except for 5-miles in Jericho, where the trail enters Cameron County.  

October 24, 2023

It’s never too late to get into shape on the trails in Warren County

Being a lifelong resident of Warren County, I thought that I knew every corner of it. I was soooo wrong! I have always enjoyed taking leisurely walks around the county, especially in the woods, but I had never truly payed attention to all of my options. With Warren County being surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, there are many. I think there are many like me who may not be in prime physical condition but still want to explore their nearby trails.

October 19, 2023

Class 1 e-bikes now allowed on Trails at Jakes Rocks

The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service announced that District Ranger Rich Hatfield signed the decision notice for the Class 1 E-bikes Trails at Jakes Rocks Project, officially allowing these e-bikes onto the Trails at Jakes Rocks in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds.

October 12, 2023

An autumn walk with my dog in the Quehanna Wild Area

Every once in a while my phone or computer will remind me of photos that I’ve taken in the past and will put them together in an album. An AI-generated title recently popped up on my phone, curating and labeling photos I had taken nearly three years ago: “A fall hike.” Flashback to November 10, 2020. I remember it was an unusually warm day for fall, and I was deep in the throes of pandemic stress. I decided to take an impromptu hike with my dog, Nellie, in one of my favorite spots, the Quehanna Trail in the Quehanna Wild Area.

October 10, 2023

Down Life’s Crazy Road: Kane-Warren fall foliage bicycle trip

This year John Pozza wanted to explore the towns of Kane and Warren in McKean and Warren counties, respectively, as part of an overnight fall foliage bicycle trip along the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds. These two towns have undertaken significant redevelopment the past few years and are "must visit" locations.

September 28, 2023

Trail of the Year Celebration held at Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge trailhead

Out of the thousands of trails in Pennsylvania, a trail of less than 8 miles in northwestern PA was named the 2023 Trail of the Year! The Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail is a 7.8-mile-long section of the larger Knox & Kane Rail Trail in McKean County. The former rail line now provides a level trail for walking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding. In winter months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular.

September 25, 2023

Safely navigating trails: How to read trail blazes

Whether it’s your first time or your 100th time, one of the most intimidating aspects of hiking is making sure you don’t get lost. Trails don’t just appear out of nowhere. They are planned, built, and marked, so individuals can safely travel on a set path from trailhead to summit. Thankfully, park staff and volunteers across the Commonwealth maintain our state parks’ and forests’ trails for our outdoor recreation safety. They make sure trails are properly marked to ensure people know where they are going. One way they do so is through trail blazes.