This summer the Duncannon Outdoor Club ventured up north to hike the 7.2 mile falls trail loop at Ricketts Glen State Park. We started at the bottom of the mountain to Waters Meet where we headed up the northeast branch of the falls trail.

If you have never been to Ricketts Glen you must put it on your bucket list. There are many hiking trails, a great lake, beach, campsites, RV hook-ups, cabins, and lots off wildlife. Forget about your phones as there is no internet or phone access providing a great opportunity to focus on nature.

Following are some pictures to give you an idea of the beauty this park has to offer.

Once at the top of the northeast falls trail we turned right onto the Highland Trail, a very interesting relatively flat trail which meanders between large rock formations, where we stopped for lunch.

All in all it was a great day as we headed down the other side of the falls trail back to the start.

So, if you are looking for a great park to enjoy the outdoors, Ricketts Glen comes highly recommended. With 13,050 acres and 22 beautiful breathtaking main falls it is a “Got to See” jewel in the counties of Columbia, Luzerne, and Sullivan in Pennsylvania.

Be aware that it is a very popular state park requiring one to plan ahead., Cabin rentals go very quickly and must be made well in advance. Campsites are more readily available.

Did you ever want to hike up Hawk Rock but were afraid you wouldn’t make it or the kids couldn’t handle it?  Or, were you afraid of holding other hikers up?   Back by popular demand, you now have a chance to hike Hawk Rock at variable paces and levels on Oct. 19^th.   The hike leader will be the last person up and back providing the opportunity for friends and families of all levels.  Distance is 1.5 to 2 miles.  Elevation is 700 ft. with some rocks and steep rock steps.  We will meet at 9:00 am. at the Duncannon Recycling center, Watershed Dr.  Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email at dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

Did you ever want to hike up Hawk Rock but were afraid you wouldn’t make it or the kids couldn’t handle it?  Or, were you afraid of holding other hikers up?

National Family Hiking Day is Sept., Sat. 28^th and a chance to hike Hawk Rock at variable paces and levels. The hike leader will be the last person up and back providing the opportunity for friends and families of all levels.  Distance is 1.5 to 2 miles.  Elevation is 700 ft. with some rocks and steep rock steps.  We will meet at 9:00 am. at the Duncannon Recycling Center on Watershed Drive. Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email at dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.

On Sat., July 13^th come on a day trip and hike the falls at Rickets Glen State Park for an average paced 7.2 mile hike on moderate to strenuous terrain.  We will look for summer flowers as we hike up the mountain by the Northeast Falls Trail, across the Highland Trail and down the Southwest Falls Trail.  You must have appropriate footwear as the falls trails are wet and slippery. This hike has many steps and some narrow trails.  Pack a lunch, water, and camera for some great pictures.  Hiking poles are encouraged.  Please reimburse drivers 10 cents per mile for the 190 mile trip.  Meet at the Clarks Ferry Bridge Rte. 147 AT parking at 8 am.  Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.  

On Sat., June 8th^th join the DOC on a canoe/kayak trip from Blue Mountain Outfitters (BMO) to West Fairview for an opportunity to observe the nesting birds on Wade Island where egrets, cormorants, and herons raise their young and also learn about invasive water species.   Cost is $12.50 if you bring your own boat.  Rent a kayak for $45.00 plus a $7.50 shuttle fee, a two man kayak for $65.00 plus $7.50 for each person, or a canoe for $45.00 plus $7.50 each person.  Tax is not included in these figures.  Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.  We will meet at BMO along Route 11/15 in Marysville at 11:30 am.  Please RSVP by June 5^th.

On Sun., April 14^th the Duncannon Outdoor Club is  sponsoring an average paced 9 mile loop hike over easy to moderate terrain at the Weiser State Forest -Haldeman Track.  Much of the hike will be on dirt roads with a gradual ascent of about 700 ft. in elevation.  Once at the top, we will follow the mountain ridge to a beautiful view at a hang glider site then descent 800 ft. back to the starting point.   Pokeweed and its uses will be the theme for discussion.  Meet at the Geisinger Holy Spirit Duncannon Health Center at 9:00 am. or alternately at Route 147 AT /Clarks Ferry Parking (40.395767,-77.00871) at 9:15 am.  Call Deb at 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register.  

This past fall a few of us braved the weather and left for World’s End State Park even though it was pouring. It rained the entire way there but let up when we arrived. We even got luckier when the sun blessed us with its appearance after lunch.

We started the hike along the creek on Canyon Vista Trail. The trail shortly meandered up a very steep mountain, where we stopped for some nice shots of our surroundings.

Once at the top we got a view of the canyon; taking a moment for more photo opportunities.

After lunch at the top we started down the mountain until we hooked up with LInk Trail. From Link Trail we went on the Double Run Nature Trail, where we were graced with many beautiful waterfalls as we finished the loop,

After we left the falls we picked up the Loyalsock Tail which proved a rather strenuous, very rocky hike up hill. There were so many large rocks, the only way we could tell where the trail went was the marks on the trees. Fortunately, the up hill climb was not very long, before we picked up the Canyon Vista Trail again and returned to the start for a total of 7.5 miles.

Our Theme for the event was Galls. Galls are weird bumps growing on stems, leaves, and buds of flowers that come in many sizes, colors and shapes. They usually form when a female fly, midge, wasp, or another female insect lays her egg on or in a plant. However, not all galls are started by insects. Some are started by mites, cousins of arachnids, tiny worms, called nematodes, or by fungi or bacteria.

Galls created by insects start to grow once the insect egg hatches and the young insect secretes a chemical on the plant which causes the plant to grow around the insect. This provides a place to live and food to eat. By the time the young insect eats its way to the outside of the gall it has turned into an adult. That is why many empty galls will have a small hole in them where the adult insect chewed its way out.

Galls not only serve as food for the host but are also eaten by birds and other animals like squirrels and mice. Sometimes another insect will eat the gall and also the host or original home owner! So even though many insects choose a certain kind of plant to lay their egg on, one should not assume the emerging insect is the original perpetrator.

When warm weather comes around and you get out and about, keep your eye out for those galls!