Category Archives: Interesting

Interesting articles related to the AT and outdoor lifestyles.

The Duncannon Stack

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The following article from  March of 1972 originally appeared in the Perry County Times and Duncannon Record and is reprinted with their permission.

“The Duncannon Smokestack”

The Duncannon Stack - a remnant of an old mill near Duncannon BoroughThe large brick stack with a base of mountain stone, that once did service for the boilers of a saw mill operation, probably the largest single operation on any timber tract in Perry County, which stands on the site once known as the Gorgas place, about six miles southwest of Duncannon, was erected in the year 1857.

During the summer of that year, Captain Jacob Coulter, and a man by the name of Palmer, began the erection of the stack and the felling of virgin trees on a sixteen hundred acre tract densely covered by virgin growth, a watershed that now supplies the majority portion of the pure, sparkling water for the Trout Run Water Company reservoir. (*Duncannon Borough is currently supplied with well water from this area.) Continue reading →

2014 DATC Festival Photos

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We were fortunate to have photographers at our 2014 Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival willing to share their photos with us.  Thanks to Jeromy, Jeannie Conrad, and Charlie Johnson, we have great pictures of the crowd, the entertainment, the vendors and some of the presentations at the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Festival (a.k.a. the Duncannon Blast).

Appalachian Trail Maintainers


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DOC Bird Hike At Wildwood

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It was a lovely day for a hike, especially one for scouting birds. Our goal was to locate the migrating  Red Winged Blackbirds, Bluebirds, and Wood Thrushes as they returned for breeding.

The male Red Winged Blackbirds were everywhere. We did not see any females so they probably had yet to arrive. There were no Bluebirds evident around the bluebird houses, but we know they have arrived, since they have been viewed elsewhere. No sign of Wood Thrushes yet, but they have frequented Wildwood in past springs and summers.

We did see Egrets, Canada Geese, a snake, a dead raccoon that looked like it was sleeping, a Blue Jay, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, a Thrasher and many, many turtles!  Then there was the huge sycamore that was estimated to be at least 100 years old!

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March 23rd Haldeman Island Hike

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DOC LogoOn March 23rd the Duncannon Outdoor Club and Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community held another Haldeman Island hike with the great leadership of the knowledgeable Scott Bills, state games representative.  We have received many emails commending Mr.  Bills for his vast knowledge of waterfowl and other bird species.  It was a great learning experience, viewing 16 of the 20 species of waterfowl found on the island.

We also were honored with the presence of a male and female bald eagle on their massive nest.  Upon arrival we had a flock of Tundra Swan fly in formation overhead honking their way North to Canada.  Scott pointed out how gracefully a swan lands in the water.  There was hardly a ripple upon landing.

We hope to schedule another such event in the future, since we had such a great turnout and actually had to turn people away.  If you wish to be notified of another such event email dtakach@duncannonatc.org and your email address will be added to the Duncannon Outdoor Club email list to received hike notifications.

Vernal Ponds and Jefferson Salamanders Hike

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DOC LogoIt was a great day, a little windy, but you couldn’t ask for better weather and trail conditions.  We even got to hike on moss!  Just the week before the trails were covered in snow and ice making footing very precarious.  The vernal  pond was not frozen over making observation easy with no sign that the Jefferson Salamander had been there.  It has not been quite warm enough yet for them to migrate.  We also stopped at the non-vernal pond and had a little discussion about toads and frogs.  There was a little excitement on the way back when one of the puppies got loose, but the kids made a mad dash and caught the dog. Continue reading →

Feeling Blue? Try This…

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Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

The winter months in Pennsylvania can bring a joy to us all.  There are the snow covered mountains, icicles dangling from tree branches and icebergs floating down the rivers.  For some, a few months of this is more than enough and your mind begins to have “warmer” thoughts.  As the winter thaw has begun and spring is here to celebrate, you might consider the blue in your backyard, bluebirds!

The eastern bluebird is native to Pennsylvania but has the challenge of surviving among some non-native species.  This is where you can get involved and have the joy of watching these birds thrive in your own backyard. Continue reading →

Ashes to Ashes

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bark of mature ash tree

bark of mature ash tree

The ash trees in our state of Pennsylvania are under attack!  The villain is discreet but extremely effective.  Millions of ash trees have been killed to date and chances are all true ashes will have perished when it is said and done.  The worst part may be that you never saw it coming.  In fact, if the trees in your own backyard have not been affected, you might not of even known it was happening.  But rest assured, the ash trees as we know them are dying and there is not much you can do to stop it. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is the ash tree killer that was first discovered in the United States in the summer of 2002 in Michigan.  These super creeps were most likely doing damage a decade before their discovery.  Native to Asia, there is no native or natural predator here in the states that can stop the pest.  Pennsylvania confirmed the presence of EAB in the western part of the state in 2007.  The pest is swiftly and successfully destroying our ash in more than half of the 67 counties in PA to date. Continue reading →

Camping Impact on the AT

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Camping Crush

ATC LogoThe Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has an interesting study of “Camping Impact Management on the AT” (in PDF format) written by Jeffrey L. Marion and published by the Appalachian Trail Conference in 2003.   The study notes the challenges we face as more and more people hike and gather to camp along the AT.  In this regard, the AT can be seen as a microcosm of society and, similarly, it must learn to deal with its increasing population while preserving its natural resources.   We hope the crush of camping crowds can be overcome with wisdom, education and dedication.

Here are a few suggestions you can follow to help preserve the AT while camping:

  • Follow Leave No Trace principles.
  • Camp only at designated locations.
  • Camp on the exact location where someone else camped.
  • Locate campsites on durable surfaces.
  • Camp away from other campers and trails.
  • Camp during off-peak periods.
  • Never cut trees and keep campfires to a minimum.
  • Travel in smaller groups.
  • Don’t take your pet on camping trips.
  • Follow advice of local guides and authorities.

Wagner Park

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Take advantage of the snow this winter as it provides a unique experience in your backyard.  On a recent hike through Wagner Park in Wheatfield Township, along the Little Juniata Creek, young beech and hemlock tree tops had reached to the forest floor from the weight of the recent snow.  The park offers a rail trail along the creek and a loop trail both of which have mile markers along the way.  See trail map at block building before heading into the woods.