While hiking to Hawk Rock today, I met a young couple sitting on the rock and enjoying the view. I presented my usual speech about the DATC, what we do, how they could help, and added some general trail info. While doing this, a lady and her gentleman friend arrived and overheard our conversation. After I finished talking to the young couple, I turned my attention toward the older hikers. I was glad they had arrived early enough to hear our conversation so I wouldn’t have to repeat it for them. I got to talking with the lady in the older group and correctly guessed that she was section-hiking and had come in from the south at Rt. 850. All of my other assumptions about her were incorrect.
Duncannon Outdoor Club Nov. Hike at Hawk Mt.
On Sat., Nov. 15th join the Duncannon Outdoor Club (DOC) for a day at Hawk Mountain. Learn about and observe raptors as they migrate. We will then go on an average paced approximate 6 mile hike over rocky, rough and moderate terrain with two lookouts for a beautiful view. There is a strenuous climb at the end of the trail we are going to be on, River Rock Trail. Bring binoculars, water, a snack and lunch. Cost is $6.40 if there are more than 10 people 13 years and older. Otherwise, cost is $8.00 per person. Meet at the Duncannon Family Health Center at 7:30 am. to carpool. Alternately meet at the Kmart parking lot in Summerdale at 8:00 am. Please reimburse drivers 10 cents to the mile for gas. Distance is 59 miles. Call 717-395-2462 or email dtakach@duncannonatc.org to register. Wear orange.
Litter Below Hawk Rock is Gone!
After removing the graffiti from Hawk Rock and improving the trail below, there was only one thing keeping our cleanup project from being a complete success: the trash littering the base of Hawk Rock. During our previous cleanup we picked up the trash far below Hawk Rock but we couldn’t climb all of the way up to the plateau just below it. We needed an experienced climber to get to the most inaccessible areas and that’s where Kevin (The Axe Man) Dunleavy comes in.
Kevin is a skilled climber, caver and hiker who has accompanied the York Hiking Club and the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club on many trail maintenance outings. Mr. Dunleavy kindly volunteered to help the DATC and the Mountain Club of Maryland by rappelling down the face of Hawk Rock and cleaning the unsightly mess caused by years of carelessly discarded litter. After descending 65 feet to the base of the rock, he spent an hour filling a large trash bag with bottles, cans, food wrappers and miscellaneous garbage. We then hauled the whole mess up and out of the woods where it was properly discarded along with our regular household trash.
- Going over the edge.
- On his way to the bottom.
- Collecting all of the litter.
- Removed a large bag of trash.
- Hawk Rock is now litter free!
It’s appalling to consider the fact that people can carry full and heavy containers UP the trail but they can’t be bothered to carry them DOWN once they are empty. It’s sad really. Some people don’t care or they just don’t know any better. Fortunately, Duncannon is surrounded by good people who work hard to protect and preserve our outdoor natural resources!





