The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • As Thoughts Turn to Winter …

    At this time of year, skiing is now on people’s mind. Ski Sawmill Family Resort, located in Tioga County, offers a family atmosphere and a range of options for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. The ski rea has 12 slopes and 3 lifts.

    The resort’s peak elevation reaches 2,215 feet, with a base elevation of 1,770 feet, providing a 515-foot vertical drop. For those seeking even more excitement, the terrain park, conveniently located adjacent to the double chairlift, offers a variety of features for freestyle enthusiasts. There are also a variety of casual lodging offering onsite, a retail store and main lodge.

    The Morris location of the Oregon Hill Winery is a short distance down the road. The Winery produces award-winning “Pennsylvania Mountain Wines.” Since 1983, our family-owned winery has been creating a variety of wines from bold, oaky reds to crisp, blush wines, as well as sweet fruit wines. The actual Winery is located in Wellsboro .

  • It’s Not a Grand Canyon

    Pine Creek Gorge is a 47-mile (76 km) gorge carved into the Allegheny Plateau by Pine Creek in north-central Pennsylvania. It sits in about 160,000 acres (650 km2) of the Tioga State Forest. The gorge begins south of Ansonia, near Wellsboro, along U.S. Route 6 and continues south. Its deepest point is 1,450 feet (440 m) at Waterville, near the southern end.

    The Gorge has the unfortunate nickname of “The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” Not only is this a wild exaggeration, but the area’s unique beauty deserves to stand on its own and does not require comparison. The area most associated with the Gorge is near Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks, where it is more than 800 feet (240 m) deep and the distance rim-to-rim is about 4,000 feet (1,200 m). I visited Leonard Harrison in October.

    The Visitor’s Center
    The view down into the Gorge.
    That’s Pine Creek down there.

  • Pine Creek Northbound

    Near Waterville, Route 414 turns north up the Pine Creek valley. The southern part of this valley feels wider and has more towns along the banks of the stream. Most of this area is still in Lycoming County until just south of Blackwell. The Pine Creek area was the site of major logging activity from the late 18th through early 20th century and is now a major hub for recreation. Much of the now second-growth forest is protected by a network of parks, state game lands and state forest,

    The aptly named “Bottom Lodge.”
    There are several points to launch small boats into Pine Creek and access the Rail Trail.
    From the bridge at Slate Run
    Hilborn Iron Bridge

  • Even More Tioga County

    Here are some scenes from lovely Tioga County from this past summer. Next week we will be taking a break from northcentral Pennsylvania for a series of locations that a bit farther afield.

    Adorable house with barn star and colorful zinnias.
    This pond sits next door.
    Goldenrod looking lovely with the hay.
    A great Veterans and MIA memorial in Tioga.
    Tioga County isn’t just rural beauty. It is also home to a state university.

  • Two Large Lakes I Didn’t Realize Existed

    There are some fantastic locations in Pennsylvania that have escaped my notice, even after all these years. Perhaps, in the case of our next location, it is because it’s almost all the way to the New York State line.

    Tioga-Hammond Lakes are twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and day use facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA on Route 287. The recreation area has camping, a swimming beach, sand volleyball court, playground, boat launches, field sports area, a camp store, trails hunting, display gardens, archery trail, scenic overlooks and picnic facilities including grills and picnic shelters. There area is administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

    The lakes were formed by the building of two separate dams, one on the Tioga River and one on Crooked Creek. They are connected by a channel cut through the rock which has its own weir on the Tioga Reservoir side. This unusual arrangements allows acid polluted water to mix with cleaner water from the other stream, increasing overall water quality downstream.

    A view of the channel.
    Near one of the boat launches at the Ives Run Beach Area and campground.
    Some looks out over the reservoirs.
    Tioga Reservoir Overlook.
    The recreation area abuts state game lands near Crooked Creek.
    Unusual and nice osprey nest platform viewing area.
    Fishing the Tioga.
    The goldenrod was everywhere that weekend.

  • Say Hay to Hills Creek

    The 407-acre Hills Creek State Park, located in scenic Tioga County, contains abundant wildlife such as osprey, loon, and waterfowl which visit the lake that contains a variety of warmwater fish species. Camping, cabins, swimming, and picnicking make this an ideal spot for a day trip or family vacation. Hiking, fishing and hunting are also available.

    It was a hazy day at the lake.
    I love the yurts in Pennsylvania state parks.
    People were camping in everything from large RVs to tents.
    Because you know I can’t resist hay bales.
    There was quite an impressive group in this field near the park.
    The view from above.
    They’re still there. Can you see them?
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