Trailhead: | N 41°1.63' W 77° 38.74' |
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Trail Length: | 3.2 miles |
Hike Time: | 1.5 hours |
Hike Type: | Loop |
Near: | Bald Eagle State Park near the Nature Inn. |
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If you are interested in doing this hike, you will need to make your way to Bald Eagle State Park. The Bald Eagle State Park surrounds the Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir. This hike is done on the trails found in the section of the park located between the lake and route PA150. If heading north on PA150, you will pass the intersection with route PA26 (bridge that takes you to the village of Howard) and continue to the next park entrance on your right. You'll drive past the park office and turn at the Beach parking area. Once here, turn left off the paved road into the parking area. At the far end of the parking area you will find the trailhead for the Butterfly Trail and the start of this hike.
There were seven of us doing the hike today. After some short introductions, we started hiking on the Butterfly Trail. Not too far from the trailhead we turned right off the Butterfly Trail an on to the Woapalanne Trail. This trail is named after the Lenape Native American tribal leader, Chief Woapalanne, also know as Chief Bald Eagle.
We followed the Woapalanne Trail for approximately 1.6 miles as it meandered along the shores of the lake. At 1.7 miles we turned left off the trail and crossed a paved road. We had a short climb up to another paved road, the Main Park Road. Crossing this we climbed a bit more and then arrived on the Butterfly Trail.
At about 2.4 miles into our hike we passed below the Nature Inn at the State Park. We then beared right off the Butterfly Trail and onto the Skyline Drive Trail. This trail tooks us out of the meadow and we entered a stand of pines. As we walked through the pines we could hear a cacophony of frogs peeping off to our left. It wasn't until the day after this hike that I discovered that their was a pond hidden beyond the trees to the left of this trail. The pond is aptly named the Frog Pond.
After a very modest climb on the Skyline Drive Trail, the trail made a sweeping left turn and descended to meet up with the Butterfly Trail at approximately 2.9 miles into our hike. We finished up our hike on the Butterfly Trail, following it for another 0.3 miles back to the trailhead and the start of the hike.
The trails that we hiked at Bald Eagle State Park were very easy trails to hike. The trails were wide and did not present and hazards, with the exception of one tree that had fallen across the Woapalanne Trail, but this was easy to navigate around. If you are looking for an easy hike, perhaps with small children or while pushing a stroller, I would recommend you check out this hike and the Woapalanne and Butterfly Trails at Bald Eagle State Park.
HIKE ALERT: We did this hike during the 6th annual Prowl the Sproul, sponsored by DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association. This was a guided hike on old forest roads and railroad grades. The trail was easy to follow as it did follow old roads and railroad grades, but it was un-blazed. Also, during the summer months, some of the trail could become overgrown, especially along the creek banks. If you plan on doing this hike, please be prepared and take along a map, compass, and/or GPS. Hopefully this circuit hike will become a popular hike and the trail will be maintained and blazed in the future.
Trailhead: | N 41° 13.67' W 77° 40.98' |
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Total Elevation: | 1860' |
Trail Length: | 5.9 miles |
Hike Time: | 4 hours |
Hike Type: | Loop |
Difficulty Rating: | 96 |
Near: | Shoemaker Ridge Road, off Beech Creek Road, off route PA144. |
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The trailhead for this hike is located at the end of Shoemaker Ridge Road. In order to get to the trailhead you need to make your way to route PA144. The easiest way to find this route is either at the interstate I80 exit at Snow Shoe and head north, or from the town of Renovo, PA and head south. Once on PA144, you will want to keep your eyes open for a dirt road called Beech Creek Road. Heading north on route PA144, you'll find this road on your right, just past the Fish Dam Run Overlook area. Heading south on route PA144, you'll find Beech Creek Road on your left, just after you crest the top of the hill and begin a slight descent. Once you are on Beech Creek Road, you will want to take your first left. This is Shoemaker Ridge Road. Drive out Shoemaker Ridge Road for approximately four and three quarter miles until you come to the end of the road and the intersection of two camp roads. Park your cars here to start the hike.
There were eleven of us on this hike, so we had a pretty good turn out. This hike was to be on old forest roads, tram roads, and railroad beds. The trail was not blazed and when I asked if it would be, the DCNR ranger stated that it probably would not be. With that in mind, I would suggest taking along a map, GPS, and/or compass if you were to try and do this hike.
We started our hike heading east back a camp lane. Just shy of the camp we cut off to our left on a recently cleared trail and then soon emerged on a forest road. This was about 0.4 miles into our hike. We turned left and followed the grassy forest road along the top of the Shoemaker Ridge.
At about 0.9 miles into the hike we came across a gas well. This was an older, shallow gas well, but it still looked to be in functioning order. At the point, because of the gas well, we had a nice view to our south, overlooking the hollow through which Shoemaker Branch flows. One of the retired DCNR rangers gave us some background information and history about the gas wells in the area as we paused here to take in the view. After a short time we were on our way, continuing to hike east on the forest road.
At 1.5 miles we came across another old road merging from the left. We would head down this road towards Baker Run in a short while, but first we continued out this forest road to a powerline clearing. We entered the powerline clearing at 1.9 miles where we turned right and walked a short distance until we were at our second vista of the hike. We discovered a small den of copperhead snakes under one of the rocks at this vista and of course everyone had to gather around to try and view the snakes. Once that got old we turned around and headed back the way we came, turning right at the previous intersection and descending to Baker Run.
We encountered one switch-back on our descent, and at about 3.1 miles into our hike we reached the banks of Baker Run and our first of many stream crossings. Luckily the stream was relatively low and our guide had been out here earlier in the week making sure that stones were positioned correctly in the stream to make for easier crossings. We all made it across without incident and once on the north bank of Baker Run we turned left and followed it upstream.
For the next mile we crisscrossed Baker Run a few times. Sometimes we were hiking on an old railroad bed, and others we were following a trail that paralleled the banks of the stream. At 4.1 miles into the hike we can to the intersection of two streams; Benjamin Run to our right and Clendenin Run to our left. We went to the left and proceeded to follow Clendenin Run upstream.
After a half mile of hiking we paused to eat our lunch. It was a nice spot with a small waterfall just below the trail. Everyone kind of went off into their own groups and not much talking was done as I think everyone was rather hungry at this point in the hike. After about 20 minutes we were soon on our way.
At 5 miles into the hike we came across an large swimming hole. There was a huge rock next to the swimming hole and one of our braver, and younger, hikers decided to jump off the rock and into the swimming hole. From the expression on his face as he climbed out, the water must have been refreshingly cold. From the swimming hole we hiked another 0.3 miles where we left the stream behind and began a steep climb back to the top of Shoemaker Ridge.
After a quarter mile of steep climbing we came upon a camp. We paused a moment at the camp to catch our breath and then continued our climb, which was much easier now, following the camp road. After another three tenths of a mile of hike we were back at our cars and the trailhead for this hike.
This was a nice hike and I enjoyed the fact that it was lead by a DCNR ranger. We were able to see areas that typically we wouldn't have the opportunity to see. These areas are frequented by hunters and fisherman, but rarely by hikers as these trails were not blazed. There are many, many old forest roads and railroad beds in our state forests, its just that not many people know about them. The Prowl the Sproul gave us an opportunity to explore some of them.
Trailhead: | N 41°22.79' W 77° 32.50' |
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Total Elevation: | 1178' |
Trail Length: | 5.2 miles |
Hike Time: | 3 hours |
Hike Type: | Loop |
Difficulty Rating: | 76 |
Near: | North of Haneyville PA, along route PA44. |
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Last year Shari and I participated in the 4th annual Prowl the Sproul. It was an enjoyable event and we made sure to mark our calendars for this year's event as well. We arrived on Friday evening just in time for the kick off of the wine and cheese tasting party. We had an opportunity to talk with fellow hikers as well as members of the Western Clinton Sportsmen's Association and DCNR rangers. Later we all gathered around a camp fire and talked some more. After an evening of socializing with old and new friends, we headed off to our tent to get some rest for our next day's hike.
Both Shari and I hadn't hiked for almost 2 months so we decided to look for an easy hike. We found one listed at 6 miles in length with gradual climbs and descents. Most importantly, this hike was to lead us along mountain streams and through cool hollows. This was great since the temperatures were expected to be near 90 and the humidity was very high as well. Another appealing aspect of this hike is that it started and finished at Pat Reeder's Tavern. You couldn't ask for a more perfect hike on a hot summer day.
We signed up for the Reeder Trail Loop hike along with 3 fellow hikers. By 8:00AM we were all gathered and were soon hopping in our vehicles to head off to the trailhead. The trailhead for this hike is located just across from Pat Reeder's Tavern. As a matter of fact, we parked our vehicles in the tavern's parking lot. Pat Reeder's Tavern is located about 5.8 miles north of Haneyville, at the junctions of routes PA664 and PA44. The tavern and trailhead are located on route PA44. The easiest way to get here would be to follow route PA44 north from it's intersection with route US220 at Jersey Shore. Drive approximately 17.5 miles north, passing through the town of Waterville, crossing Pine Creek, and climbing to the top of the Allegheny Front, where you'll come upon Haneyville and the intersection of route PA664. You could also follow route PA664 up from Lock Haven. Since we were located along the shores of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, we came we followed the road from Hyner up to route PA44.
We parked our vehicles at the tavern and were a little disappointed to discover that the tavern was closed. However, it was only 9:00AM in the morning, so we had hopes that it would be open upon our return.
We crossed route PA44 and headed down Reeder Trail. This section of the trail was easy to follow and soon was blazed both blue and red. This part of the trail is also used for snow mobiling in the winter. We would soon get on a section of trail that was not blazed. The majority of this hike, over 3 miles, would be on unblazed trail. The trail followed the stream banks and was well maintained, but be forewarned that there are no paint blazes marking the trail at this time. I was informed that DCNR has intentions of painting yellow blazes on this trail sometime this fall. Though blazes aren't needed to do this hike, I think they will offer reassurance to those not particularly comfortable with hiking on unmarked trails.
At 0.3 miles our single track hiking trail emerged onto a grassy forest road. This was the snow mobile trail and we would complete our loop hiking back this wide trail. We jogged to our right and began a short descent down to the Right Branch of Hyner Run stream. At the crossing of the stream, about 0.6 miles into our hike, we turned right and followed the eastern bank of the stream.
The trail followed the stream bank on an old narrow gauge dinky rail bed. This made for easy hiking. There were a few places where we had to cross the stream, but the water was low and crossing was very easy. At 1.3 miles into the hike there was another stream that flowed in from the south. I believe this is Little Boyer Run.
At 1.9 miles we came to a stream junction where Big Boyer Run joined the Right Branch of Hyner Run from the east. The trail leaves Hyner Run and we begin our ascent along the southern bank of Big Boyer Run.
All along our hike we were treated to cool, albeit muggy, temperatures. As we began our gradual ascent along Big Boyer Run we could feel the temperatures increasing. As the stream turned into a trickle, we left its banks and made a short, steeper ascent through the woods to join up with the grassy snow mobile trail. We had completed 3 miles of our hike at this point and we all took a much needed break to rehydrate ourselves.
This section of the trail was very easy to hike as it was wide and did not have any major elevation changes. The one thing I didn't like about it was the fact that we were within sight and sound of route PA44. There's nothing more discouraging then hiking through the peacefulness of the woods only to have it disturbed by the sounds of loud motorcycles driving by.
AT 4.6 miles the trail makes a sharp turn to the right. Turning left takes you out to route PA44 and I suppose if you didn't mind doing some road walking, you could make it back to the trailhead by going that way. There were a pair of men and women's outhouses located here, but looking at the outsides of them, I don't think you'd find me using them anytime soon. I'd be afraid to find out what might be inside them.
After two tenths of a mile with a gradual descent we found ourselves back at the single track Reeder Trail. Hanging left here we hiked the remaining 0.3 miles back to our cars and the trailhead. The hike had taken us almost 3 hours and it was about 5 minutes till noon. Luckily for us the tavern was just opening and we were its first customers of the day.
We had another enjoyable hike and outing at the Prowl the Sproul event. I would highly recommend anyone that likes to hike or just wants to explore the outdoors to try and make it to next year's event. The guided hikes by DCNR employees makes for a stress-free and informational hike. You'll learn a lot about the local history as well as enjoy the beauty that the woods of Pennsylvania has to offer. I know Shari and I will be here for the 6th annual Prowl the Sproul. Hope to see you here as well.