i spent this past Labor Day at Ricketts Glen State Park. I avoided the crowds on the Falls Trail and spent the days photographing covered bridges and other nearby areas. The cottages on Lake Jean are some of my favorites in the state park system.
The front of the cottage faces the lake.Sunset on Lake Jean. This view is facing east, so there is better view …at sunrise. Seriously, I am never up this early.Expressing how many feel, at a nearby location on Route 118.
The park was open, with some restrictions on check in times and requirements for mask usage in bath houses and park office buildings. Some facilities, such as the boat rental, were closed. Most things seemed to be operating normally.
I did see some interesting birds just sitting outside the cottage. A bald eagle, Canada warbler, a possible vireo, great blue heron, as well as a number of more common species such as chickadee, white breasted nuthatch, robin, chipping sparrow, catbird, and mallard.
As an added bonus, below are a few shots of holiday activity at Frances Slocum State Park in Luzerne County.
The lakeside is a popular area.He had this fishing pier all to himself.
The town of Boiling Springs in Cumberland County is one of Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Trail towns. It is known for its beautiful scenery and world-famous fly fishing. Founded in 1845, but settled prior to 1737, Boiling Springs is a village that surrounds the Children’s Lake. The town hosts the regional office of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The Memorial Clock Tower, erected in 1956 and the Boiling Springs (Grist) Mill, on record as early as 1785, are two landmarks in the village. Boiling Springs was also a site for the underground railroad before the civil war and a tourist destination in the early 1900’s. It is now a location for small shops, art galleries, cafes and restaurants, recreation and relaxation and is the home of the Allenberry Resort.
Boiling Springs gets its name from natural artesian well springs located around the town. The well known trout streams in the area are the Yellow Breeches Creek, Mountain Creek, Big Spring Creek, and LeTort Spring Run. The waters are kept cool by the limestone springs which feed them. Part of the Yellow Breeches Creek is maintained for catch and release, artificial lures only, fishing.
Let’s take a look around town.
A view of Children’s Lake and the Grist Mill.The Memorial Clock Tower.An old artillery piece near the Clock Tower.The park is a great place for some family time.One of the beautiful homes overlooking the lake.This Mallard duck family have some prime real estate.The Grist Mill, close up.Let’s go fishin’A view down Front Street.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, that due the corona virus lock down, I haven’t been out much doing photography. I did manage to drive around my local community getting some photos of the spring flowers and flowering trees. I also checked up on two of my local state parks, which were well attended by people glad to get out of the house while maintaining a safe distance from others.
The local; cherry trees are in bloom.Tulips are always lovely.This pony at Ridley Creek State Park finds things greener on the other side of the fence.These horses aren’t bothered by Covid 19. I love this barn at Hope Springs Farm at Marsh Creek State Park.It has a great silo.The horses were enjoying a day in the pasture.Down at the West Launch a kayaker is getting ready to shove off.Someone else has a faster way to get around.
Socially distant dispersed outdoor recreational fun was had by all.
Sunday, October 13 saw the return of the annual Roaring Creek Trail drive through. The drive through is a unique opportunity to drive on the Roaring Creek Trail in the Weiser State Forest. This multi-use trail is normally restricted to vehicle traffic. The drive-through began at 9:00 AM, starting at the Route 42 parking lot gate. The gate was open until 2:00 PM. Traffic was restricted to one-way travel on the 8-mile Roaring Creek Trail and exited at the Route 54 parking lot gate. All vehicles had to exit by 3:00 PM. Passenger vehicles only (cars, pick-up trucks, SUVs, passenger vans, motorcycles) were permitted to enter. Enter the trail in Columbia County and leave in Northumberland County.
Kline’s Reservoir at the Route 42 side of the trail.
The Roaring Creek Tract features three large reservoirs currently maintained by Aqua PA. The reservoirs are in a valley surrounded by steep hillsides. The surrounding area is state forest land. Boating is permitted in two of the reservoirs. Fishing is also permitted, and the trail is very popular with hikers and cyclists.
This event was very popular, and traffic proceeded very slowly along the trail, which is actually a very well maintained gravel road. With so much vehicular traffic, it was unlikely you were going to see much wildlife. It was a lovely drive nonetheless. The leaves were probably a week or two short of their best color, due to lingering warm weather in September. There were places along the route to stop for a picnic.
My view for much of the trip.A peak at the larger McWilliams Reservoir through the trees.A good day for a family fishing trip.You could stop along the way for a picnic.
There was a pavilion at McWilliams Picnic Area that could be used for a stop. Boat moorings and a boat launch are available here as well. There were also restrooms and parking in this area for the day.
Portage your boat into the McWilliams Reservoir.A walk along the lake.Smokey the Bear made a very conspicuous appearance.Because one photo of a giant inflatable bear isn’t enough.
More information about the Roaring Creek Tract is here.
Southwestern Pennsylvania is a great area for state parks. In my last post, I explored the state parks with “laurel” in their names (due to the fact they are on or around the long ridge line known as Laurel Mountain). Today we’ll add a few more in the area.
Starting in Bedford County, I exited the turnpike at Bedford and soon found myself a Shawnee State Park. This park has a large lake, campground, beach, disc golf, hiking, fishing and other amenities.
Boats at Shawnee State Park
The following day I went to check out Kooser State Park. This one also has a lake with fishing, hiking and picnicking. There is also a very nice small cabin colony there.
A peek at Kooser State Park.
On my way to Laurel Summit State Park, I passed through Linn Run State Park. This a beautiful, forested park follows along the course of Linn Run. It is adjacent to the Forbes State forest. It offers stream fishing, hiking, picnicking and has a beautiful cabin colony for overnight stays. Admas Falls on Linn Run is a favorite scenic spot and has a picnic table available.
I spent Labor Day weekend in the Laurel Highlands with a stay at the cabins in Laurel Hill State Park. I also set out to visit some of the other state parks in the area, as well as a few other locations. Let’s start off with a look at my home base for the weekend.
Laurel Hill State Park contains a lake with a beach, boating opportunities, hiking trails, fishing, picnicking, camping and all the summer time fun that accompanies those things. It is located in Somerset County and reasonably convenient to the turnpike. The park is near several other state parks and Forbes State Forrest.
Men working for the WPA and CCC began the process of building what was to become Laurel Hill State Park on July 1, 1935 at CCC camps SP-8-PA and SP-16-PA. There is statue in the park commemorating these workers.
CCC worker, Laurel Hill State Park
The lake is beautiful and surrounded by steep hills on one side.
The beach at Laurel Hill State Park.Looking toward the dam.
There is fishing on Laurel Hill Creek and Jones Mill Run.
View of Laurel Hill Creek from accessible fishing area.Handicapped access to fishing area on Laurel Hill Creek surrounded by beautiful flowers.Lovely jewelweed along the path down to the creek.
I also stopped at some of the other nearby parks. I had quite a time getting to some of them, mostly due to relying too heavily on google maps. I ended up on some really sketchy forest roads, and I’m not typically one to shy away from a forest road. If I had double checked google’s routes versus a map, I would have done much better. At least I a saw a turkey.
Laurel Summit State Park is a small park with picnicking and acts as a trail head for the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and other trails. It is best accessed via Linn Run State Park. This route provides paved roads for most of the trip up the mountain to the park.
Picnic pavilion, Laurel Summit State Park.
Laurel Ridge State Park has multiple sections along the ridge of Laurel Mountain. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trails passes through its sections. It is otherwise mostly undeveloped except for backpacking shelters and one picnic pavilion. The best access points are directly on Route 30 or 31 if you want to say you’ve been there and aren’t hiking or wildlife watching.
Sign for Laurel Ridge State Park. This may be the only way you know you’re there.
Finally, I attempted to visit Laurel Mountain State Park, which houses a ski area. I was there many years ago and hoped to drive in and take a look. Unfortunately, the gates were closed in the off season.
I spent the Labor Day weekend at Promised Land State Park in Pike County. I stayed in the CCC constructed Bear Wallow Cabin area. This is one of my favorite areas of the park, being close to the Wildlife Observation Station. The cabins also have a lot of rustic charm. The park is also a great jumping off point for side trips to Lake Wallenpaupack and other areas of the Poconos.
The lake in that ares offers some great sunset views.
The historic village of Promised Land, surrounded by the park, and nearby area have a unique character that draws visitors from three states. The large number of privately leased cabins in the park also seem unique among Pennsylvania state parks.
White baneberry, or Doll’s Eyes, is a distinctive and beautiful, if not slightly creepy looking, plant. This was growing around my cabin.
Pennsylvania has many great ski areas for winter time fun. Here are a couple in the off season.
Roundtop Mountain Resort in York County has water attractions, zip lines, and paintball in the warmer months. It is also close to Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Big Boulder in Carbon County has its own beautiful lake and is near the Lake Harmony resort communities and many other Poconos attractions.
