NNeewwsslleetttteerr “On Foot in Potter County”

Susquehannock Club PO Box 643 July 2009 Coudersport, PA 16915

The purposes of the STC are to build and maintain , aid in the conservation of wetlands and wildlife, and promote good fellowship through the medium of hiking and nature study. SUSQUEHANNOCK TRAIL CLUB’S ANNUAL CAMPOREE JULY 17-19, 2009 Time rolls around, and soon members will be gathering for a weekend of camping, hiking and fellowship at . As a member of the STC here is your chance to have free camping, meeting old and new members, and enjoying “God’s Country.” Bring your tent or small trailer and enjoy the great outdoors. We gather in the group camping area and have a free weekend of camping by the PA DCNR Bureau of State Parks. It’s their way of saying thank you to our club for the many hours of trail maintenance our volunteer members spend on keeping the Susquehannock Trail System in good condition for park users and the hiking public. When the group gets together, there are organized hikes for those who wish to join with others. Or maybe you want to go fishing or swimming in Kettle Creek, or just be lazy and sit by the campfire and relax. Saturday evening at 6:00 PM, we always have a great dish-to-pass dinner in the large pavilion reserved for our use, door prizes, a short business meeting, and an interesting guest speaker, and a slide—or more often, these days—a PowerPoint show. With prices going up every day in just about everything you do or buy, this could be a great way to vacation at low cost. Hope you plan to attend. We shall see you there. Wil Ahn, STC President. KTA’S WEEKEND WITH STC IN POTTER COUNTY By Wanda Shirk, Vice President, Keystone Trails Association

Over 100 hikers from across the state converged on Potter The KTA business meeting on Saturday afternoon was Country on the last weekend of April 2009 as the followed by a dinner at Potato City. Dr. Paul Lenz hosted Keystone Trails Association convened its annual spring the premier showing of his 70 minute, digital video disc meeting and hiking program at Potato City Country Inn. filmed during his circuit hike of the Susquehannock Trail In its 53 years of existence, this was the first time KTA System. In addition to photos from the actual hikes, the had come to the Susquehannock Trail System. KTA video presented an overview of the geology and history of Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter indicated that the the area in which the STS is located. The DVD will be organization was delighted with its experience here and made available for a showing at a future STC club meeting. would welcome the opportunity for a repeat visit. The most strenuous treks on were led by Joe Allis and STC members, along with three foresters from the Chris Bell. Joe led the "Denton Hill Ramble," a twelve- Susquehannock State Forest District office, hosted a total miler that started at the door of Potato City Country Inn, of 28 hikes and tour opportunities for visiting hikers. We and Chris led a ten-miler in the Hammersley Wild Area on tried to feature as many of the interesting trails and sites in Saturday. Curt Weinhold had the distinction of leading the Potter County as possible. We offered town tours in most hikes: a Coudy-town-tour culminating at the Galeton and Coudersport, hikes to the Austin Dam and Historical Society museum on Friday; two five-mile Camp Moxie, a forest management tour, and several hikes Lyman-Lake area hikes on Saturday morning and Saturday on the Susquehannock Trail System. By fortunate afternoon; and a "photo hike" on Sunday morning, during coincidence, it was new moon weekend, so Cherry Springs which he gave professional tips on trail photography. State Park had some great astronomy programs that our Hikes on the Susquehannock Trail System itself were led visitors enjoyed. The weather was unseasonably warm, by Bill Boyd, Bob and Helen Bernhardy, Marty Quigley, and nature cooperated in every way." and Wanda Shirk. Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944 1 Wayne Baumann and Bill Morey each led a hike to Camp GALETON: PIG’S EARS AND MURPHY Moxie, the site of a 1920s-era Boy Scout camp northeast By Beth Lounsbury, STC Member of Coudersport. The site features huge old hemlocks, the concrete foundation posts of the old camp's main building, On our walks around beautiful Galeton, I pointed out a pond and old cabin site, and an "ice-mine" cave where some unique features on Main Street. The theater on Main natural ice provides summer refrigeration for campers. Street called Whites Opera House, built in l906, was the only Wayne and Bill shared photos of a ceremony there with theater in the world, according to Ripley, where you went hundreds of scouts joining hearts with some Native downstairs to get to the balcony. This was made possible American "blood brothers" nearly a century ago. by it being built on a very steep bank. The building burned in September. 1976. Donna Batterson led two hikes to the former Clark Farm northwest of Galeton where the old tepee site of “Fatty Two levels below Main Street is Cornelius” and the sand spring from which he got his Eggler Alley. During the heyday of water can be found. Two impressive stone quarries, one lumbering, this was the home of of which is a current source of white sandstone blocks, are several Pig's Ears, the local name also located on the Clark Farm. Beth Lounsbury led two for the sleazy, cheap, dingy and short hikes around Galeton's Berger Lake. unlawful saloons frequented by the woodhicks, the men who Here and there patches of spring leeks could be seen, and worked cutting trees. A hog's some of the hike leaders made it easy for hikers to gather head was a barrel that held 60- leeks, by providing plastic bags or trowels for collectors. 120 gallons of liquor. Therefore, The pungent delicacy was especially abundant in Bucksel- a Pig's Ear held a smaller ler Run, where Tom Leete conducted "The Leek Hike." amount. At least fifteen hikers were still putting miles on their By far our most interesting character was Murphy. He was boots in their ninth decade of life. Susquehannock Trail a wood hick who came to Galeton, and died of pneumonia Club President Wil Ahn, who is 85 years old, led a group at the Hotel Edgecomb on January 5, 1913. He was in his on woods roads and trails around the head of Big Fill early 40’s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, but had no Hollow and down a side branch of Commissioner Run on identification, and no one claimed his body. Normally the north side of Route 6. They met four spring gobbler unidentified corpses were sent to medical schools, but Earl hunters, one of whom demonstrated a small accordion-like White, the local undertaker who embalmed the corpse, turkey call for the group. It was very realistic. took a liking to him and named him, “Murphy.” White The staff of the Susquehannock State Forest District set dressed “Murphy” in a tuxedo and stood him in the corner up a large display in the Potato City Country Inn lobby. of the funeral parlor along with an embalmed bulldog to Forester Dan Smith led a wildlife and timber management keep him company. Galeton folk would drop in and give demonstration hike on Friday afternoon. Ranger Paul Murphy a pat on the stomach. Tubbs led a hike Mount Brodhead Hike on Saturday The funeral home was just south of Galeton's only traffic afternoon, and Service Forester Stan Hess volunteered his light, in an area of the borough that was completely time to lead an interpretive walk behind the destroyed in the great fire Lumber Museum on Sunday. Retired forester Paul Lilja of 1916. That was the end gave what one hiker reported to be "an excellent historical of Murphy. He only lasted summary" of the 1911 Austin Dam disaster and took four years in the funeral hikers to the dam ruins and the E. O. Austin museum on home. Saturday. The next morning, Paul and a group of KTA members joined the Susquehannock Forest District’s When Pine Creek was annual forest management bus tour which this year visited dammed and the small five sites in the Ole Bull area and provided lunch to the lake was formed, Galeton participants. The only hike with no takers was Charlie folks wanted to name it Kern’s North Link Trail hike. The apparent reason: too Murphy’s Pond, but that did far to drive to reach the starting point. Charlie joined Wil not fly with the state Ahn’s Commissioner Run hike. bureaucrats, and it became Berger Lake after the state Murphy The planning and coordination of the KTA Weekend was senator who was the largest and most elaborate project in the 42-year instrumental in securing history of the Susquehannock Trail Club. Our local STC funding for the project. members were up to the challenge. They and the Photo from: Miss E. Leeta Kelly Susquehannock State Forest District staff did a fantastic job in making it a weekend to remember for our guests.

Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944 2

MULTIPLE USE FOREST HIKE While passing the cabin in the upper part of that valley, I noticed that someone was home. So while the group took By Dan Smith, Forester, Susquehannock State Forest District a short break, I stopped to say hello to Jeff Nelson. Jeff is

I had no idea what to expect when I offered to lead a short from Waterford, PA, and he and his wife JoAnn helped hike on the opening day of the KTA weekend, as I hadn’t me with clearing this section of the trail. had much experience with the Keystone Trails From here we made the gradual climb to Sunken Branch Association. I chose a route through a few timber-sale and Road. Some turkey hunters were rendezvousing there, as wildlife-habitat enhancement areas so I could introduce it was the first day of spring gobbler season. Then as we the KTA folks to some of the things we routinely deal descended the Splash Dam Trail, we met some more with in the Bureau of Forestry. And of course, I hoped to hunters on their way out of the woods. They were in full catch a few glimpses of wildlife using the forest. camo, so it was quite hard to make them out as we passed. I arrived at Potato City Country Inn a few minutes early to One guy was wearing a suit that looked like it had been give me time to set up a display. The small room was through a shredder. One of the gals remarked, “Wow! already filled with people sitting on chairs. All of them That must be the Cadillac of camo!” had signed up for my hike. I was amazed to learn that 26 The first couple of stream crossings were easy ones, and people had enough interest in how the Bureau of Forestry then we came to The Log at Palmatier Branch. This log has cares for Penn’s woods that they were willing to come out been across the stream for a good many years, so it has on a hot late afternoon in April to see examples of seen a good many moccasins. (I know what you’re multiple use forest management that are not always thinking. No, I don’t think it goes back quite that far.) It’s popular with some members of the hiking community! only about a 10-inch diameter log and in its length there As the group started out on the short hike we began an are only a couple of flat spots. Fortunately it was dry. open conversation. The group had a wide range of experi- With Joe Healey standing on the far side of the stream and ence both with hiking and with nature in general. I was at one point in the middle of the stream giving works of taken aback when I saw some in the group get excited encouragement, every hiker made it across without a when we came across a few bear and turkey tracks along a mishap. It also helped a great deal that Joe tossed a sturdy section of Lyman Run Road. I had intended to avoid this hiking stick back across to each successive log-walker so section of the hike because I didn’t think hikers would care that they could better steady themselves. Joe said he only to walk along a road, but was glad I hadn’t after we saw charged two bucks a crossing. I think he made out quite the tracks. well for those few minutes. The hikers asked many questions, some of them routine, The next section of trail is up on the steep bank above the but others which I honestly couldn’t answer. I was stream, and we began to see the evidence of new beaver impressed at the level of knowledge some of them had workings in the valley below. As we got to the first major about forest issues and the sincere interest the rest had in dam, we all stopped for a few minutes and took in the view. learning about the issues. Two hours later we arrived at Seems like there is always something serene about a beaver the Susquehannock District Office lucky enough to have pond. Some of the group took pictures, some marveled at seen a few whitetail deer as well as a few turkeys. The the chewings all about us, but I think most of us just group seemed to be content with their introduction to the enjoyed the surroundings and the quiet. Just a short Susquehannock State Forest, and I was happy to have had distance down the trail, we came to the junction of the the opportunity to get a peek into the life of the hiking White Line Trail where we stopped for a lunch break. We community. had covered about four miles of our seven-mile route. After lunch we started up the long climb out of Splash Dam Hollow. It’s pretty much a gradual climb except for a short section near the head of the hollow where it gets UPPER WEST BRANCH HIKE rather steep. By now, the temperature had risen into the By Bill Boyd, STC Member 80’s, but luckily there was a breeze now and then which My hike was a seven miler from Patterson Park to the felt really good. We even enjoyed the shade of the Susquehannock State Forest District Office on Denton hemlocks when we passed through them. Hill. Upon my arrival at Potato City on Saturday morning, After leveling off, the trail is quite an easy jaunt crossing I found that 22 hikers had signed up for my hike. That Lyman Run Road and heading out to the register box at was a few more hikers than I was expecting, but it all went Mile Zero. Some hikers signed the trail book and then we well. Everyone was eager to hit the trail, but quite patient followed the half-mile blue-blazed trail back to the as we carried out the preliminary logistics, shuttling cars Susquehannock Forest District headquarters, finishing our between our beginning and ending points. hike in about five hours. We found ourselves heading out of Patterson Park on the I enjoyed “my” group, and I think they enjoyed the hike. Plantation Trail a little after 9 AM, and soon began to drop So all in all it was another great day on the trail. into the headwaters of the West Branch of Pine Creek.

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MOUNT BRODHEAD HIKE HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY JOHN B. LUTZ By Paul Tubbs, Ranger, Susquehannock State Forest District PA’s oldest surviving veteran of the Battle of the I led a hike for the KTA weekend. The hike was part of Bulge in World War II and father of Penny Weinhold the Mt. Broadhead hiking trail. We hiked from SR 44 (STC Member) celebrates his 100th birthday this past north back to the Water Tank Hollow Vista. The trail runs Christmas here in Potter County. through some rugged terrain. It was a beautiful day and we were able to see some of the earlier wildflowers that were just beginning to bloom. There was some miss communication in your organization that did cause some problems with the hike. The hike was supposed to begin at 1 PM. This had been decided during a meeting prior to the weekend. The pamphlet that was put out advertising the weekend listed the hike as starting at 3PM. Forester Dan Smith made contact with your organization to get this corrected. It was supposed to be changed on the trail sign-up sheet. It was not. The infor- mation on the trail sign-up sheet was also misleading. It was listed as an easy trail 3-4 miles long. We were able to shuttle vehicles and shorten the hike a bit for time’s sake. Photo by Curt Weinhold I showed up at 1 PM only to be asked to show back up at Left to right: Brook Weinhold, Grandson; Morgan Weinhold, Great-Grand- 3 PM to lead the hike. We had 10 people signed for the daughter; John B. Lutz, born Dec. 25, 1908; Penny Weinhold, Daughter; hike. After correcting the misleading information on the Rosanel Weinhold, Granddaughter-in Law; Keih Weinhold, Grandson. sign-up sheet, we had seven hikers participate in the hike. The biggest conflict that this mishap created was that there was a banquet scheduled for 6:30 PM. The hike and travel time back put us back at 7PM even with the vehicle STC HIKE SCHEDULE shuttle. We hurried through the hike in areas where that Only one hike was scheduled at press time. was possible. It caused tension among some of the hikers who clearly wanted to have time to get cleaned up before July 18 – Saturday (STC Camporee Hike) the banquet. I did explain to them before we left on the Blackberry Trail from Route 44 to , then north to Route 44 hike that our time would be pressed to do the hike and get Bill Boyd, leader (814) 274-7529 back in time for the banquet. Part of the problem for  Approximately 5 miles completing the hike earlier was the poor description of the  One steep downhill difficulty level of the trail. A few of the hikers in the  A long gradual climb up to Route 44 group just were not of the ability to hike at a quicker pace.  Fisher tracks have been seen in this area To end this on a better note, the hikers that struggled a bit  Meet at 9:00 AM at Ole Bull Group Camping Area were of a good nature and I give them credit for being out After the Summer Camporee, all hikes for the rest of the year will be on an impromptu basis. there and putting forth the effort. WORK DETAIL ON FRIDAY

STC NEEDS YOUR STORIES OF CAMPOREE Frequently the STC Newsletter has found the publishing WEEKEND date of the next issue approaching without enough grist to fill the pages. I'll bet that many of you folks have a lot of The trail care crew could use some interesting stories from the trail to help marking the trail in the Big tell. A few of you have written, Springs area, on Friday, July 17. but we always have room for This could be someone who is more. Please send your stories to setting up camp for the camporee [email protected] or on Friday, or anyone who could STC Newsletter, P.O. Box 643, just come along for the afternoon Coudersport, PA 16915. If you to help out. Plan to leave Ole Bull don't have a picture to send, we State Park around noon. If you can usually find one that is can help with this detail, please call Bill Boyd at 274-7529. appropriate for your story.

Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944 4

OTHER LONG LOOP TRAILS IN NORTHCENTRAL PA By Scott Hamley, STS Circuit Hiker #945

I’ve done the Susquehannock Trail, and I enjoyed it plenty. And finally, my award for the easiest and least wild trail in But I’ve also done several other long loop trails in the north-central PA goes to the Allegheny Front Trail, again north-central part of the state. And I think some of the in (Centre County). The AFT others have a lot of character. Here they are: loops completely around Black Moshannon State Park. I The Chuck Keiper Trail in (Clinton found it convenient to park at the State Park and hike the and Centre Counties) wins my award for the wildest trail in road to and from the trail. Don’t get me wrong, the AFT this part of the state. Even getting there is an adventure. does have some nice scenery, especially along Black Mo- For me, coming from Indiana County, I drive in from the shannon Creek and some nice vistas along the top of the southern part of the Forest, passing through the little Allegheny Front. But it has some things against it. One is village of Moshannon. Once you pass through that it’s the only one of these trails south of I-80, which Moshannon, it’s about 15 miles on PA 144 to the trailhead doesn’t make it seem very wild. Also, one of the best at the Fish Dam Run Vista. In those 15 miles, you do not vistas on the trail overlooks I-80, which most certainly pass a single other paved road, business, or house. All you doesn’t help it to feel wild. And finally, it is the easiest of see are hunting cabins and dirt roads. And when you the four with few significant climbs and it’s also the actually get onto the CKT, it’s similarly wild and remote, shortest at only 40 miles. It’s worth doing once, but now only passing over some dirt roads and 144 twice in its 51 that I’ve done it once, I think I’ll spend my time on other mile length. Adding to the remoteness is the fact that trails! hardly anyone hikes there! It’s also quite difficult. The All four of these trails have at least one cut-off so you can southern part of the trail is relatively mild, but the shorten them down to half the full distance or less. And northern half dips up and down into five large creek there is also one more loop trail in the north-central part valleys with ascents and descents as much as 1000 feet. All of the state that I’ve never done: The Old Loggers Path in of these are difficult, and sometimes you don’t even get a , Lycoming County. It’s pretty break in between them. In fact, if the Keiper Trail were short at only 27 miles, but I’ve read that it has some very any longer, it would win my award for most difficult too. scenic creeks along the way. I’ll be trying to get there But since it isn’t my award for most difficult trail goes to sometime. the , located in Moshannon State Forest If you’d like more information on these or any other trails (Elk, Clearfield, and Cameron Counties), with a good in PA, I’d highly recommend Backpacking Pennsylvania, by trailhead at . The QT is a 75 mile Jeff Mitchell. This book covers pretty much every trail in loop. Again, as with the CKT, the southern part of the the state that can be considered a backpacking trail loop is relatively easy, and the northern part is quite (generally trails that are over 10 miles and offer camping difficult. In this case, there are six watersheds that make opportunities). the northern half difficult. And the southern part of the And finally, my award for the easiest and least wild trail in trail also has a few large gorges, most notably Mosquito north-central PA goes to the Allegheny Front Trail, again Creek. For the most part, the ascents and descents on the in Moshannon State Forest (Centre County). The AFT QT are not as difficult as the CKT. There are just more of loops completely around Black Moshannon State Park. I them over a longer distance. Both the QT and CKT are found it convenient to park at the State Park and hike the difficult and wild. Neither is ideal for the beginning road to and from the trail. Don’t get me wrong, the AFT backpacker, but both reward the brave with some beautiful does have some nice scenery, especially along Black creeks, scenic views, wildlife, and isolated forests. Moshannon Creek and some nice vistas along the top of If you don’t mind climbing though, be sure not to miss the the Allegheny Front. But it has some things against it. Black Forest Trail, in (Lycoming, One is that it’s the only one of these trails south of I-80, Clinton, and Potter Counties), which wins my award for which doesn’t make it seem very wild. Also, one of the the most scenic trail in north-central PA. The BFT has best vistas on the trail overlooks I-80, which most certainly some monster climbs, up to 1200 feet, especially as it goes doesn’t help it to feel wild. And finally, it is the easiest of into and out of the gorge carved by . But the the four with few significant climbs and it’s also the reward for these climbs is a plethora of scenic vistas, many shortest at only 40 miles. It’s worth doing once, but now more per mile than any other trail I’ve done. There are that I’ve done it once, I think I’ll spend my time on other also some nice waterfalls in the gorges, and beautiful trails! campsites. Because they are less traveled, the CKT and All four of these trails have at least one cut-off so you can QT do not have an abundance of good, established shorten them down to half the full distance or less. And campsites. The BFT might be the most challenging of there is also one more loop trail in the north-central part these trails mile for mile, but it’s also relatively short: only of the state that I’ve never done: The Old Loggers Path in 42 miles. Whatever you do, don’t miss this trail! Loyalsock State Forest, Lycoming County. It’s pretty Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944 5 short at only 27 miles, but I’ve read that it has some very scenic creeks along the way. I’ll be trying to get there NEW BRIDGE ACROSS sometime. YOUNG WOMAN’S CREEK

Slate Run Vista from the Black Forest Trail Photo by Scott Hamley If you’d like more information on these or any other trails in PA, I’d highly recommend Backpacking Pennsylvania, by “Ted’s Truss” Jeff Mitchell. This book covers pretty much every trail in the state that can be considered a backpacking trail Photo by Tom Fitzgerald (generally trails that are over 10 miles and offer camping After years of planning and waiting, a new footbridge was opportunities). constructed in June 2008 across the Left Branch of Young Woman’s Creek at the Ti-Co Rod and Gun Club’s leased campsite just inside the Sproul State Forest. The bridge replaces a former access road bridge used for many years PERSPECTIVE by the gun club and the Susquehannock Trail Club. By David Jacoby The Susquehannock Trail Club paid $1,000 toward the (Found on a Celestial Seasonings Tea Box by Penny Weinhold)

cost of the bridge construction—approximately one-eighth Out behind the house we have "our mountain." Alpinists of the total. would chuckle at its diminutive size, but the modest grassy The bridge serves both the Susquehannock Trail System summit affords an ample perspective of the surrounding and the Donut Hole Trail which run together for a few country. And why else do we climb, if not for perspective? miles through this area. The bridge was designed by the When the mists in my head rival those of our valley floor Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural on an early morn, I know where I need to go; up to where Resources Bureau of Facilities Design and Construction. I can see. There is nothing fancy here, I'm afraid, just my Forester Theodore Ligenza, who is the Hiking Trail little footnote in the great human striving for clarity. But I Coordinator of the Sproul Forest District, handled the must confess to a feeling that some happy magic is at necessary paperwork required to obtain the permit to build work, when the mists clear, and I arrive home, a little wiser the bridge. In recognition of his time and effort, the for today. topmost member of the bridge is labeled, “Ted’s Truss." The unusual height of the bridge above the stream bed is

due to a requirement by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Clinton County Conser- NEXT MAJOR EVENT vation District that the bridge deck be above the projected 100-year flood level. Harvest Supper October 10. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hall Coudersport, PA 6:00 PM There was a thousand-legged worm, and he began to squirm. Millipede clip art from Herper.com “Has anybody seen a leg of mine? If it can’t be found, I will have to go around, on the other nine hundred ninety-nine!”

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ALONG THE TRAIL A PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH By Wil Ahn, President, STC HIKE ON THE STS CAMP MOXIE – A FAVORITE HIKE By Marti Quigley, STC Circuit Hiker #925 On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008, I led a group of STC members Let me tell you all ‘bout my adventures in dose thar Wilds on a hike to an area known as Camp Moxie. It is located of Penna., That is. Started way on back in Aught 3. We in a heavily wooded section near Seven Bridges in Potter uns heard the tales of Paul Kurtz—said he was a main- County on privately-owned lands of the Collins Lumber tainer up thar in dose Wilds. Heck, what’s to maintain Co. The land back in 1929 was donated by the late Potter whar its chust trees? Don’t trees maintain thar selfs? County Judge, Robert R. Lewis, to the McKean, Cameron, Anyway, enough of maintain talk and views and streams and Potter County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. and b’ars and turkeys and whatnot, we uns got so we The lifespan of the Boy Scout camp was short due to lack wanted to see all dat. of funding by the three-county Boy Scout councils. So one spring Paul & Ellie, Barabara & Esther figured out how we could see dat all. Dey chust carpooled us, and it took some car poolin’ cause thar waz 13 of us and miles and miles of poolin’ ‘for we could park the cars. So we’d walk and dey would be waiting at the end section. We did this for 3 springs and 3 falls and ya know what, we saw dose views and streams and turkeys and trees—and trees—and trees. But no b’ars! We did see whar a b’ar was on the trail ‘cause he scratched and shredded a tree. And ya know what—in all dose 84 miles, we uns never got lost. We could see a good trail between dose trees and thar was orange paint on trees; so we always come out whar Paul was Photo by Bob Knowles waiting for us. As one hikes on the trails in the area, the remains of the And we saw some old Boy Scout cabin can be seen, dilapidated and being unusual things, too. swallowed up by the surrounding ground. Thar was a Ghost The main beauty of hiking to Camp Moxie is seeing huge section and a Young old-growth pine and hemlock trees still towering above the Women’s Creek— other forest. Some of these big fellows have diameters now that’s a history. And a hill called Cardiac. Dat scares a close to 40 inches. The trail into the old camp has had a lotta people. Some went up in a hurry. Me—I chust number of plantings of pine trees over the years by the poked along. Den thar was quite a drop from road level to different owners of the land. Some of these newer a stream far down with roots across the Trail. Some plantings appearing to be 40 to 50 years of age and 8 to 12 walked it pretty good. Me—I chust poked along. I sat and inches in diameter, are now being cut, it is rumored for log moved from one root at a time. cabin homes. Fortunately Collins Pine Company and the Oh, yeah! Thar was a walley whar sound was really good. former owners have spared the old growth pine and Soon we heard yodeling—chust like in Switzerland. We hemlock from the axe and saw of the lumberman. looked round and it was Edna! Ya all can’t imagine what In 1976 this very area was the ya’ll come up with in dem thar wilds. And thar was a red, site of the STC overnight red lilly. Ah never know’d a lilly could be so red. backpack hike and campout You know what, ya really need a lot of good food to do 10 when over 60 members of the miles or even 5 miles a day. So we uns was in good shape Club celebrated the “200th beings as we stayed nights at Susquehannock Lodge and Anniversary of our great nation, Ed & Carol made such good meals for us. the U.S.A. It was a memorable Well, after 3 y’ars of spring and fall hiking, we was down to trip. We hiked the headwaters 4 city slickers from Reading-Oley area: Diane, Bill, Sandy, of three major rivers--the and Marti, flatlanders who became circuit hikers on the Allegheny, the Genesee and the STS. Now, I’m getting ready to do the trail ‘gain. I hope I Susquehanna. The Club had a meet’cha all some time so ya can see what we saw. special patch made for the occasion. PS: And you know what—I’m a maintainer now, too. Amen. Photo by Bob Knowles Virgin hemlock tree 7

SIGNS ALONG THE TRAIL BUGS ALONG THE TRAIL AUTUMN IN JUNE AND JULY Large patches of Potter County and surrounding areas have been hit this year with two closely-related native North American leaf-eating insects. Like many leaf-eaters, these bugs are the larvae (the juvenile stage) of moths. The common Eastern Tent Caterpillar has been building its tents in the branch crotches of its favorite forest food tree, the black cherry, and venturing forth to eat the leaves. But this pesky striped caterpillar has one major handicap. It can only live on the leaves of trees in the rose family. Black cherry is the only major rose-family tree in Pennsyl- vania’s forests. Most of the other rose-family trees are fruit-orchard species apples, pears, peaches, plums, etc. Photo by Bill Boyd But its equally voracious cousin, the Forest Tent Caterpillar, The long-planned sign honoring Louise and the late has no such handicap. It can survive not only on the Harold Williams of Conrad was erected in the early fall leaves of black cherry, but also on those of sugar maple of 2008 along the Susquehannock Trail System on the (but not red maple!), birch, ash, aspen, and even oaks. Williams property in the valley of the East Fork of the Together, these two bugs have made summer hillsides look Sinnemahoning Creek. Harold and Louise have had an like late fall. The Forest Tent Caterpillar, despite its name, excellent relationship with the Susquehannock Trail Club is unable to build a tent. It can be distinguished from its over the years, and even asked that one of the club’s striped cousin by a row of spots down its back that vaguely Scheibner-style trail book shelters be located in their front resemble footprints or old-fashioned keyholes. yard. Sadly, Harold passed away in 2004, and daughter Beverly Whitney died last year after a long battle with Will the trees survive? cancer. Louise and son-in-law Jim Whitney remain. Most of them can Kudos to STC member Joe Allis for an outstanding survive two or three example of design work and craftsmanship in making this years of leaf loss. But sign! their growth will be sharply reduced. And most trees will flush out a second crop of leaves Photo from Ohio State University Extension which keep working Fact Sheet HYG-2022-95 by David J. Shetlar until late fall when they will freeze and drop off, still green. Most of the caterpillars will not live long enough to starve to death. Their enemies will see to that. The “friendly fly” that looks like a slightly overgrown house fly with gray stripes is attacking them in huge numbers. This fly can wipe out almost the entire caterpillar population in one year. The flies lay their eggs on the tent caterpillar cocoons—the stage in which the caterpillar turns into a Photo by Bill Boyd flying moth. Each fly Tom Weiner, STC Circuit Hiker #707, of Erie, PA, maggot burrows into a co- pictured here on June 14, 2009, at 88, is the oldest known coon, eats its guts, and kills NY State DEC File Photo Circuit Hiker on the Susquehannock Trail System. Tom the moth inside. These flies can’t bite, but they often land has made 12 circuits to date. He says he doesn’t think he’ll on people, attracted by the moisture and salt on human be back for a 13th circuit because he is beginning to feel skin. the effects of arthritis in his knees. There are some gypsy moths chewing on oaks leaves farther downstate, but those bugs do not thrive on the kinds of trees along the Susquehannock Trail System. 8

MEMORIES OF THE PAST STS CIRCUIT HIKERS By Lois Baker Morey, STS Circuit Hiker #3 The Distant Past No new Circuit Hiker logs have been received yet in 2009.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 1. Each applicant must hike the entire Susquehannock Trail System in one or many trips, in either direction. 2. Each individual hiker should sign every trail book encountered along the Susquehannock Trail System. 3. Each applicant must maintain a log of the trip in considerable detail, preferably with accompanying 1969 - STS Circuit Hikers 1, 2, and 3 photographs. A. Groups hiking together may keep a combined log, Photo by Tom Fitzgerald but each member of the group must sign the log. Left to right: Lewis Baker, Janette Baker, and Lois Baker B. If the group covers only part of the circuit, each member of the group should acquire a copy of the group log. Each copy must bear the names of all the members of the group. The individual app- licant must then submit a copy of the group log, together with other logs for other parts of the circuit hike, when applying for the award. 4. Each applicant must submit his/her log(s) of the circuit hike to the Susquehannock Trail Club Circuit Hiker Award Committee. A group who has hiked the entire distance together, may submit a combined log to the committee, but each member of the group must sign the log. 1972 5. The Circuit Hiker Award Committee will review the Photo By: Francis Clark log(s). If the committee is satisfied that the applicant has hiked the entire Susquehannock Trail System, the Left to right: Jeremy Fitzgerald (in back pack), Tom Fitzgerald, Wil Ahn, Carol Clark, Jayne Fitzgerald, Raymond Kern, Norman Ahn, Katie Clark committee will certify the applicant as “Susquehan- nock Trail System Circuit Hiker No. _____.” 6. Each certified Susquehannock Trail System Circuit The Recent Past Hiker is eligible to purchase and wear the “Susquehannock Trail System Circuit Hiker” brassard. Additional brassards may be purchased by certified STS Circuit Hikers. 7. Certified Susquehannock Trail System Circuit Hikers will be given identification numbers by the Susquehan- nock Trail Club Circuit Hiker award Committee in the order in which they are certified by the Committee. 8. Relocation of any portion of the Susquehannock Trail System after an applicant has hiked through that portion, shall not disqualify the applicant. 9. The Susquehannock Trail Club Circuit Hiker Award 2007 Committee may require an applicant to appear before the committee to testify about the hike. 10. The Susquehannock Trail Club Circuit Hiker award Committee may, at its discretion, modify the log Photo By: Curt Weinhold requirements for Circuit Hiker award applicants who completed the hiking requirements prior to January 1, Left to right: Carl Davis, Jr, Jessica Blair, Bonnie Davis, Carla Blair, 1977. Wanda Shirk, Kendra Kosa, Tom Weaber, Penny Weinhold, Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944 9

Susquehannock Trail Club PO Box 643 Coudersport, PA 16915

Join us for the Summer Camporee

July 17-19 2009 Ole Bull State Park

Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944 10