Winter 2014

Announcing Susquehanncock Club's 2014 Annual STC Winter Frolic When: Saturday February 15, 2014 Dinner: Beginning at 5:00 PM Price: $13.00 per person Where: The Gold Church Route 449, Village of Gold 9 miles south of Genesee, PA 16923 Menu: Chicken Swedish Meatballs Scalloped Potatoes Baked Beans Cole Slaw Dinner Rolls Dessert Drinks RSVP: Saturday February 8, 2014 Program: Hunting Large Game in South Africa's Retief Game Range Photo by Curt Weinhold Presenter: Art Huber

The Susquehannock Trail Club‘s annual Winter Frolic will Retief is a 5,000-acre commercial game farm where several be held Saturday February 15, 2014. Time to enjoy a day big game species are raised specifically as a source of of adventure in Northcentral !. Winter is off animal protein. The area is dry scrubby brushland known to a good start this year with adequate snow and colder locally as “bush veldt.” As with all managed wildlife temperatures than we’ve seen in several years. One winter populations anywhere in the world, it’s important to hike that day has already been scheduled—a two-mile harvest some of the animals each year to keep the herd circuit of Cherry Springs Park. Meet at the old airport size from exceeding the carrying capacity of the range and parking area at 10 AM. Call hike leader Wayne Baumann degrading the habitat. Hunters pay a fee for the privilege at (814) 274-7725 by February 13th if you plan to attend. of hunting there for a certain number of days. The owners As usual; a short STC business meeting will follow the of the farm butcher the harvested animals, pack the meat, dinner, and the “Big Shoe” award will be presented to and sell it into the domestic South African food market. someone who has performed exceptional service to the Hides and heads are prepared for taxidermy. Susquehannnock Trail System. It was summer in the Southern Hemisphere when Art and The featured speaker this year is our own Art Huber. A his son were there, and temperatures rose into the 90’s year ago, he and his son took the trip of a lifetime for avid during the day. They spent each morning hiking through hunters. They spent a week in the Limpopo region of the thorny brush, and each afternoon still-hunting from the Republic of South Africa. at the Retief Game Range, local counterpart of deer stands. hunting native African big game animals. 1 Printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944

across that parallel. In early America, when the boundary Wild Game/Harvest Supper was originally established, surveying instruments were The supper was once again held at the Gold Church in the much cruder than today’s instruments. The only method small Potter County community of Gold, PA. Only 24 early surveyors had to determine how far north or south members and guests were present, the smallest attendance they were was celestial observation—primarily by in several years. Several key members of the club were observing the angular height of the North Star in the sky. absent due to other commitments that fell on the same At the North Pole, the North Star is almost directly date. overhead—90 degrees up. At the Equator, it’s approxi- Once again, the major portion of the fare brought to the mately on the horizon (in flat country or out at sea). At dinner by those in attendance was either wild game, killed latitude 42 north, it is 42° up from the horizontal, which and cooked by club members, wild plants picked in the equals 90° minus 42°, or 48° down from the zenith. woods and fields of Pennsylvania, or in a few cases, home- Pennsylvania many years ago placed monuments at grown garden produce. As usual, the Potter County approximately one-mile intervals along the state line. Mr. favorites, venison and wild leeks, were on the menu. The Wetmore located several of them, and told of interesting selection this year included stinging nettle, a native plant adventures finding some of the monuments. At one point annoying to those hikers who like to venture forth in along the state line, he found a sign that faced north shorts because of the irritating hairs on the leaves which attesting to the fact that everything beyond the sign was in cause an affliction sometimes known as “the seven-minute Pennsylvania. He suspects the sign was placed by a New itch.” Cooking neutralizes the toxin. The exotic invasive York State hunter who once unknowingly strayed across plant, Japanese knotweed, was also on the table, as was the line and was arrested by a PA Wildlife Conservation that pernicious bane of southern Pennsylvania gardens, Officer for hunting illegally. Galinsoga—also called “quickweed” because of its rapid Southwest corner of Tioga County where Tioga, spread and growth. Potter, and Lycoming counties meet Duane Wetmore The evening’s featured speaker was Duane Wetmore of neighbor- ing Tioga County, PA. Mr. Wetmore is a registered surveyor of long experience who entitled his PowerPoint presentation, “Perambulating the Boundaries of Tioga County.” Tioga County adjoins Potter

County on Potter’s east Photo provided by Duane Wetmore Photo by Tom Fitzgerald side, and both counties One memorable incident was the finding of the monument border New York State marking the southwest corner of Tioga County where on the north. Mr. Wetmore has located many of the Tioga, Potter, and Lycoming counties meet. A lengthy monuments that mark the corners of boroughs, frustrating search along a tributary of the Francis Branch incorporated villages, townships, and individual properties of Slate Run in the general area of where the monument in several counties in both Pennsylvania and New York. A was supposed to be, turned up no sign of it. Then Mr. few years ago, he participated in a bi-state project to Wetmore and his companion happened to walk around a reestablish the boundary between the two states. He also very large old tree, and there was the monument partly explained why the state line, which was intended to follow engulfed by the other side of the tree! the 42nd. parallel of latitude, actually drifts back and forth

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Along The Trail were very well groomed, tracked on one side for ‘classic’ or Nordic skiing and groomed on the other side for the Cross-Country Skiing In Quebec, Canada skating style of skiing which is very popular in Canada. By Wil Ahn Also, in all of the areas, there are warming cabins with When the conditions are right, with a foot or more of wood stoves—or in a few cases, propane heaters—scat- snow on the STS Ridge Trail and adjoining , a cross- tered throughout the trail network. We skied about 12 to country skier will experience one of Potter County’s finest 25 km (7 to 16 miles) per day, and planned each route to ski tours. This is what Kathy and Dennis Burkhart are arrive at one of the warming cabins abound lunchtime, so once again looking forward to. For many years they have we could eat our trail lunch there. been coming to the Susquehannock Lodge with the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club from Reading, PA over the “Maybe if I lie down in the trail for awhile, someone three-day Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. will come along and give me some attention!” A year ago, January 19-21, 2013, the group started at the Northern Gateway of the STS on Route 6, following the Ridge Trail past the STC registration box to Thompson Road. Crossing the road, they continued on the Ridge Trail to the Wil & Betty Ahn Cross-over Trail, which takes you to the old B&S railroad switchbacks, a delight to follow to the head of Brown Hollow. From there, they skied north on the Billy Brown Trail and the challenging Broken Knee Bend, then through the old apple orchard, and finished with a gentle glide to the Susquehannock Lodge. The total trip was about 6½ miles. The snow conditions were very poor for the skiers that weekend. Limited snow and bare spots; hard on the skis and the skiers. They told me their sad story when they visited before heading back to their home, but said they were looking forward to their trip to Quebec a few weeks later. After they returned from Quebec, I inquired of them about their trip, and here is their report: “Our trip to ski in Quebec was fantastic. It was an eleven- hour drive to Lac Delage, about ½ hour north of Quebec Photo by Dennis Burkhart City. What we like about that locality is there are many “The enclosed photos are typical of the countryside and cross-country ski areas within a 20-mile radius so we could the snow conditions. Just beautiful. Miles and miles of go to a different area every day. evergreens. We encountered a baby moose on one of the “The ski conditions were excellent. There were three to trails. He had apparently lost his mother and was found four feet of snow on the ground, and it would snow a wandering around the area in the fall, and just stayed there couple more inches almost every day we were there. through the winter. He was so unafraid of humans that Temperatures ranged from the mid teens to as high as Dennis was able to pet him. The owners of the ski area 32°F. Three of the areas where we skied are within the named him, ‘Moe.’ ” boundaries of the Reserve faunique des Laurentides, a You can tell from this report that they had a great week of huge nature preserve. We skied in the Parc National de la cross-country skiing in Quebec a year ago. They'll be back Jacques-Cartier portion of the preserve where trails are in Potter County again this winter with the Blue Mountain mostly back-country and un-groomed. One trail we skied Eagle Climbing Club, and hope to find better ski ran along a river and wasn’t groomed, but instead packed conditions in 2014 than they had here in 2013. down with a snowmobile. In all the other areas the trails 3 Newsletter printed by the Welfare Hollow Publishing Group, New Florence, PA 15944

Channel 16 Salutes Bob Webber Copyright: WNEP Scranton/Wilkes-Barre There is a place in Lycoming County where you can’t be reached by cell phone. There are no roads and it’s just the way nature intended. It’s where retired state forester Bob Webber calls home: the woods and mountains of the Pine Creek Valley. And as he nears his 79th birthday, we tagged along for a hike with the man who devotes his life to making it so others can enjoy the same outdoors. You can’t just pick up a phone and call Bob Webber, so we sat down and wrote him a letter, drove to Slate Run north of Jersey Shore and left it at the general store for him. You see, Bob Webber lives off the grid; no electri- city, no phone, just him and nature. Within a couple weeks, we arranged to meet here at the trailhead along the Pine Creek. Webber was prepared, having worked as a state forester in this area much of his life. “So this is where we begin.” The incline was steep, taking Webber and state forester Ben Sands through the wilderness on a late fall day. Webber’s boots looked worn but each step was surefooted and when we came upon something blocking our path, he set out to remove it. “You put high tech industry into an area like this and it’s bound to have an impact, and not for the better.” “How much do you love the outdoors?”we asked. “I’d say very much,” Webber replied. Bob Webber’s career in the forestry service has spanned the better part of four decades, and even after retiring in Each year, Webber sets out to clear miles and miles of 1988, about 10 years later, he dug a majority of the trail hiking trails in the , including 42 that bears his name north of Jersey Shore. He has left his miles on one trail alone. mark there for years to come He swings an axe like someone less than half his age. He’ll “He’s quite a role model. He’s a remarkable individual. turn 79 next month and still makes quick work of fallen Something to strive for,” said state forester Ben Sands. trees on these paths. And he does it with a youthful fervor. For Bob Webber, there’s no stopping anytime soon. He’ll “You can have the interest in things, but if you don’t have keep doing this as long as he’s able. And when the time the mental determination, physical determination to do comes, Webber is certain others will follow where he things, that’s an important thing,” said Webber. marked the path. He said he maintains these trails so that other people can “Anything you do that people enjoy, is remembered (and) enjoy them and the untouched scenery surrounding us on becomes a part of your life, and their life.” both sides. And that’s why we salute Bob Webber. When it comes to the all the change taking place on state land in pursuit of natural gas resources, Webber says it has Editor's Note: you can watch WNEP's full story on Mr. Webber at nothing to do with preserving nature. http://wnep.com/2013/11/26/16-salutes-bob-webber/

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Doing The Donut Hole of the hike. We wrung the water out of our socks at lunch, but I think we all ended the day with somewhat wrinkled The First Three Days toes. Highlight of the sightings at lunch and trail’s end. By Wanda Shirk KTA executive director Curt Ashenfelter met us at a road (Continued from the Fall 2013 issue) crossing where we ate lunch, bringing candy bars and Sproul District Recreation Forester Ted Ligenza, the water, and came for us again at the day’s terminus. eponym of the new “Ted’s Truss” footbridge bridge on Our second day took us from the remote and the combined STS/DHT crossing of the Left Branch of horrendously rutty Sugar Camp Road to Hyner Run State Young Woman’s Creek near the Twelve Mile Road, asked Park. We were joined by two DCNR guys, a leader and a me to be the hike leader for the first day of the 2012 Prowl sweep for our day. Tim Fenton, the leader, told us about the Sproul DHT slackpack. I needed to pre-hike the his experiences fighting forest fires out west as a DCNR section to be a hike leader, so I celebrated July 4th by volunteer, and Eric, the sweep, spotted a rattlesnake that driving a car down to Sugar Camp Road in the Sproul and seven of us had walked past without noticing. Carl, who getting a pal who owed me a favor to take me to the was from Massachusetts, told us that his trail name on the Farrandsville trailhead so I could solo-hike-scout-out the AT was the “Hot Fun Cop.” It took me a while to realize first 16 miles of the trail. It was a great hike, 8:30 a.m. till that this was Massachusetts-ese for “Heart Fund Cop,” as 5:20 p.m., nearly non-stop, with the most notable memory he hiked to raise money for the Heart Fund. I had being a bear sighting on Kingston Road, a short road walk wondered about the oxymoronic nature of “Hot Fun” and that is part of the trail. Blackie emerged from the woods “Cop!” about 30 yards in front of me, and I stopped dead in my tracks to give him the right of way. We eye-balled each On day three, the DHT section heading west from Hyner other for half a minute, we agreed to let each other alone, Run State Park was one of my favorite sections of the trail and then he finished crossing the road and I continued my for about ten miles, until we came to Bull Run. I guess it hike, with no further sightings of interest that day beyond was not as bad as what the north suffered at a different a big black-bear-like dog and some folks at a camp near Bull Run early in the Civil War, but I’d have to say that the Whetham Road. I went home ready to lead my section for Bull Run section of the DHT is one of the most miserable Prowl the Sproul. of the trail, and the reason can be summed up in one word, or one weed, I should say: Stinging-Nettle! This Six people signed up for the DHT challenge of Prowl the day’s hike took us to the Fork Hill Road section where the Sproul 2012. There were Tony Robbins and his daughter DHT joins the STS, and we went down Morgan Hollow Jazmine, who are KTA trail care regulars (Tony worked at (Curt sighting! Yes – He came up Morgan Hollow to join every one of KTA’s 15 trail care projects in 2012.); Dr. us!) to Ted’s Truss and the van that took us back to the Phil Hesser, a college history professor, marathoner, and Western Clinton Sportsman’s Association to wrap up our ultra-trail-runner; Dave Taylor, a high school science 3-day, first half of the DHT. teacher; Carl Windler, a retired cop and AT thru-hiker, and me. Half of us were over 60, but Jaz was only 21. We Well, we all liked the challenge and the trail so much that enjoyed each other’s company, learned from each other, we wanted to finish it like right away, and not wait to see if told each other all kinds of stories from our life histories, KTA would choose the western section of the DHT for and sometimes marveled at each other as in, “that Phil can the 2013 challenge slackpack. We had done half of the talk a mile-a-minute going up a steep hill and never break a DHT’s 90 miles, and we wanted to do the western 45. I sweat! Good thing we have him to do the talking on the got the maps, did some logistics work, emailed the others, uphills!” and we made a plan to do finish the trail in three days in August 2012. Our first day was notable for being wet. It was off-and-on rainy, so we poncho-ed appropriately, but most of us (Concluded in the Spring 2014 issue) found out that our footwear was not waterproof. We learned that we could walk 16 miles in wet socks – though Jazmine got serious blisters and ended up skipping day two

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Trail Maintenance Report November: Fourth Quarter 2013  Cleared the Ridge Trail. By Bill Boyd  Mowed the old Boone Road section and the We had another productive quarter keeping the trails open Buffalo & Susquehanna railroad grade going east (and reopening others) for all hikers. Before I get into the to the 1969 washout gully. This is also part of the specifics of what was accomplished during this quarter, I'd East Fork Crossover Trail. like to thank all volunteers who helped over the past year.  Cleared some of the Plantation Trail and Hribar With all their hard work and dedication we accumulated a Route sections. total of 1,362 hours working on the trail system. There are December: far too many to name individually here, but without the hard work and dedication of each, the club would not have  No trail work reported. been able to accomplish most of long needed improve- Most of the mowing was done with the Swisher walk- ments undertaken this year. Just a few of our major work behind rough-cut mowers. We're finding that this machine projects this year included clearing out the densely will go just about anywhere we need and do a good job on overgrown brush in the Hammersley area, removing the trail. Club member Joe Allis makes good use of his, overgrowth along Morgan Hollow and the Wild Boy area, keeping the vegetation under control along the ski trails in the installation of an information sign describing the the Denton Hill area and elsewhere. purposes of the 2011 prescribed burn between green Those taking part in trail maintenance for this period were Timber and Tin Can hollows, and the installation of a Joe Allis, Bob and Helen Bernhardy, Bill Boyd, Chuck and nearly 35 year old sign at the intersections of the Twin Mary Dundon, Jerry Johnston, Art Huber, Jeff Nelson, Sisters and Elkhorn trails. Mary Lou Parker, Wanda Shirk, and Curt Weinhold. This final quarter was no different. We accomplished 2014 Plans many much needed tasks in keeping the trails open. They The most important trail care project planned for 2014 is include: the restoration of six-tenths of a mile of sidehill trail in the October: Hammersley Wild Area. We will be digging in and leveling  Removed about a half-dozen blowdowns from the a stretch of the Hammersley Trail, from Mile-54.80 to Crooks Trail. Mile-55.40. This part of the trail is located along a steep hillside, and has almost completely filled in through  Put up trail register-cans at each end of each of decades of leaf litter and slow erosion since the Civilian the crossover trails—the West Branch Trail and Conservation Corps originally constructed it three quarters the East Fork Trail. We used 50-caliber ammo of a century ago. The original level trail, as wide as the cans that have tight-fitting lids, which should keep length of a pick handle, is now a slippery, slanted 6-inch the weather out. And the bears might not chew treadway. these up as they did with the temporary cans. The purpose is to see how much usage these trails This is the most remote section of the entire receive. Susquehannock Trail system. It requires a minimum of  Cleared the West Branch Crossover Trail two miles of walking just to reach it. That shortens the available working time for anyone not camping overnight.  Cleared the Game Refuge Trail, which is part of We need all the help we can get. The project is tentatively the East Fork Crossover Trail. scheduled for May or June. Full details will be in the  Mowed the flat section of Plantation Trail, near spring issue. Patterson Park.  Mowed the Game Refuge Trail going south off Rock Ridge Road, across the clearcut.

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The Mystery Essay Gift of Membership In the Fall 2013 issue, we printed an essay entitled, In the interest of bolstering our membership, our club is “Thoughts on Autumn,” which had no author’s name encouraging each current member to sign up one attached. We erroneously credited the essay to STC additional member for 2014. We realize that not all can do member Mary Wetmore whose writings have appeared in a this, or wish to, but with enough participation, we could number of outdoor magazines. Within two days, Mary potentially boost our membership significantly. informed the club that, she did not write the essay, nor did These new memberships could be for a birthday, for she forward it to us—although she concurs with its Thanksgiving or Christmas, or just as a way of showing sentiments. That left us wondering where it came from. appreciation for a special person or friend. For $10, it Several days after that, we were contacted by the real would be a win-win situation for the giver, the recipient, author—Martha Quigley. The mystery has been solved, and our club. and Martha is the correct author of this essay. Your In October, the Quehanna Area Trail Club disbanded, as editors regret this error. their membership was composed almost entirely of octogenarians whose declining energies and increasing physical limitations made it impossible for them to carry Trail's End: on. The 76-mile Quehanna Trail goes through Parker John Clark Dam State Park and the corners of Elk, Clearfield, and John E. Clark, 88, of Belmont, NY, died November 7, Cameron Counties. A jewel of a trail, it is connected to 2012. He was a long-time member of the Susquehannock the STS by the Donut Hole and Sinnemahoning trails, Trail Club, and for many years assisted Dick Hribar with linking up near where the QT crosses Wykoff Run Road. maintaining the portion of the Susquehannock Trail It is sad to see one of our closest neighboring trail clubs System between Patterson Park and the Rock Ridge Road. fold, and their experience shows us the importance of seeking out new members to sustain our own club into the John cross-country skied many miles on the STS and other future. trails with Dick and former STC President Wil Ahn. He was an avid outdoorsman, and in addition to hiking, As new members get our newsletters, they may be inspired enjoyed hunting, fishing, and canoeing. to hike some of the trail, attend a meeting or camporee, or join with us on a trail maintaining work day. We hope A 1948 graduate of the Cornell Agricultural School, he their experiences will enhance their lives sufficiently that spent 35 years with the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s they will want to continue to be part of our club in the Farmer’s Home Administration, the last four of them in years ahead. Juneau, Alaska. Please give it some thought. Could you think of a hiker or During World War II, he served as a co-pilot on a B24 an outdoors-lover who would enjoy the fellowship of the Liberator Bomber. STC and whose life would be enriched by learning about John was also a member of the Confer- our club and experiencing our trail? Could you invest ten ence, the National Rifle Association, , the Belmont dollars in creating those opportunities for him or her? American Legion Post, and the Scio, NY United This small effort on the part of as many members as Methodist church. possible may be one of our keys to sustaining our club and Kathy Walsh our trail into the future. "Every choice produces a quantum explosion of alternate Kathy Walsh 70, of Coudersport, PA died January 1, 2014. futures" (Burges's Law of Forking Paths). Ya never know. She was a member of the STC for a few brief years. As a Your choice to give a gift membership could change the member of the club, Kathy brought a smiling face, a warm future for some lucky young person -- and for our club! heart, and always a good laugh to our group. She will be dearly missed.

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STS Circuit Hiker Award Welcome new members Congratulations to the following for completing the 2013 has been a productive year for our club. We have circuit, and in turn earning the Circuit Hiker Award! several new members who are here to support the trail 1063 Wellis Balliet 1068 Scott Kio & dog, Mindy system and hiking in general. The most recent are: Nescopeck, PA Roulette, PA Rich Elton Frederick Fisher 1064 Sheila Kasperek 1069 Gene Wimmer Queensbury, NY Furlong, PA Mansfield, PA Sagamore Hills, OH Rabbit Jensen, Joan Welfling 1065 Brian Masney 1070 Mark Clapps Galeton, PA Lock Haven, PA Danville, PA Tonawanda, NY Margaret Ryan Elizabeth Kapoor 1066 Jim Walls 1071 Steve Wesche Galeton, PA Leesburg, FL Danville, PA West Carrollton, OH Brian Staffa Gene Wimmer 1067 Marty Lichtner 1072 Jason Rickenberg Dalan, NJ Sagamore Hills, OH Bloomsburg, PA West Carrolltown, OH Mike & Karen Callahan For information on the Circuit Hiker Award, contact the Galeton, PA Susquehannock Trail Club at PO Box 643 Coudersport, There are a few sections of the STS that need a dedicated PA 16915, or email us at [email protected]. maintainer to adopt them. The general responsibilities of a dedicated maintainer include:  Traverse the trail section once a season (minus 2014 Event Schedule - Planning winter) to ensure the trail is clear for hikers. It's a new year, and it's time to begin thinking about what  Clear smaller (less than 6 inches in diameter) events and activities you'd like to have on the STC woody debris from the trail path, or notify the schedule for the upcoming year. club if you do not use a chainsaw. This year, we hope to continue our semi-monthly guided  Report any large blowdowns to the STC Trail hikes. These hikes can be anywhere, but we try to keep at Maintenance Committee whereby we can contact least one a month in the Susquehannock State Forest area. DCNR for salvage purposes. DO NOT cut If anyone is looking for a hiking partner, or maybe through large blowdowns to open the trail. That thinking of finishing their Circuit Hike, or just not reduces the value of the timber for harvest. comfortable being in the Great Woods alone, let us know  Reblaze the trail (but do not over blaze) the trail and we'll find a date to get out into our small section of the to ensure the hikers know where it is and it is easy Jewel of Pennsylvania! to follow. We're also thinking of trying something similar to KTA If any of our members are interested in doing so, please with our trail maintenance. KTA put together a full year contact the Trail Maintenance Committee of the club at of KTA trail care events together and publishes them in [email protected], write to us at STC, PO Box 643, the first quarter of the year. In doing so, they are able to Coudersport, PA 16915, or call Bill Boyd, Chairman of the get 20 or so volunteers for each trail care event. We're Trail Maintenance Committee, at (814) 274-7529. hoping that if we do the same, we might be able to get more than the 3 to 5 people for each event. Please contact Bill Boyd ([email protected] or 814-274-7529) if you think you'd be more likely to attend if we published a Next Newsletter Deadline schedule like this. All articles must be received before March 15, 2014 to be included in the next edition of the Susquehannock Hiker. Finally, we continue to plan to hold our annual events this Email your articles to [email protected] no later than year. The Winter Frolic is scheduled for February 15, Wednesday March 12, 2014, or mail them via the USPS to 2014. The Summer Camporee and Wild Game/Harvest PO Box B, Robinson, PA 15949, by March 8, 2014. Dinner are yet to be scheduled.

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