Volume 5, Issue 3 (March 2012)
In This Issue...
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"John Way" by Md. Khalequazzaman
"Spring" by Zach Fishel
"Invasive Species" by Melissa Eldridge
"Dance of the Squirrels" by Barry Overton
"Cycle" by Guy Graybill
"Ghost of the MST" by Lou Bernard
"Pine Creek Rail-to-Trail" by Michael Neff
"Forest Summit" by Melinda Hughes-Wert
"Donut Hole Trail" by Maribeth Hanna Long
"Hike of the Month" by Jamie Walker

"Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that
we had virtually forgotten the note of each
bird, and when we hear it again it is
remembered like a dream, reminding us of a
previous state of existence. How happens it
that the associations it awakens are always
pleasing, never saddening; reminiscences of
our sanest hours? The voice of nature is always
encouraging." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Four Years
In March 2008 notice of the first issue of The Hemlock arrived in your
inbox, and four years later, we're still talking about ways to help the
LHU community develop a sense of place. As I look back over the 26
issues we've published, I'm proud of what our contributors have made
possible. Our writers have included faculty, students, staff, and
members of the community, and they've written articles, essays, book
reviews, and poetry on a diverse array of topics relating to outdoor
recreation, environmentalism, and Pennsylvania culture. I'm especially
pleased that the subjects of the articles have included most of the

disciplines on campus. And remarkably, this enterprise has not cost the university a cent. Thanks to those of
you who have contributed, and to the many people who have expressed appreciation for The Hemlock. With
your help, we look forward to continuing our efforts into next year.
A Tribute to Environmentalist John Way
~Md. Khalequzzaman (LHU Geology Professor)
John H. Way, Ph.D., P.G., passed away on February 21, 2012. He taught
at LHU for about 20 years. John retired as a professor of geology at LHU
in 2004. He played a vital role in formulating the curriculum for a strong
geology program. Before joining the LHU as a faculty member, John
served the Commonwealth as a professional geologist at the
Pennsylvania Geological Survey. As one of his former students, Phil
Rider, writes, “It is a struggle to write the word “John” and “was” in the
same sentence.” He was only 68 years of age.
With John’s sudden demise, our community lost a great teacher,
scientist, environmentalist, mentor, community leader, and, above all, a great human being. I met John in fall
of 1997 when I first joined the LHU family. His warm personality and deep knowledge of local geology
attracted me immediately. Over the years, I got to know John more closely as a colleague, as a mentor, as a
life-long friend, and as a collaborator in all my community-based research projects that involve water-related
environmental issues in central Pennsylvania. Through his sage-like personality and philosopher-like
approach to teaching, John gained a legendary reputation among his students and among his friends. He left
an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the thousands of lives he touched.
John had a vast knowledge of Pennsylvania geology. Most of what I know about the geology of central PA, I
learned from him through numerous conversations and field trips that he organized for his students and
various community organizations. His scholarly writings on local geology and the numerous field
guidebooks he prepared will serve as an knowledge-depository for geology students and scholars in the
future. His endless inquisitiveness about the natural world and the environment that surround us made him
a great geoscientist.
John was always concerned about the quality of scientific data he gathered. He was of the opinion that it is
very important to maintain objectivity in analyzing the data one gathers through field work and laboratory
analyses. He always emphasized the importance of establishing the credibility of scientific findings among his

peers and the community at large. He was of the view that it is relatively hard to earn credibility in the world
of science, and it takes only one mistake to lose that credibility. Any scientist can benefit from John’s way
(pun intended) of doing science.
John Way was not only a researcher, but was also a great community leader. He organized numerous
workshops and field trips for various community organizations, school children, summer camps, geology
majors, and professional geologists to highlight the various environmental challenges that we face in central
Pennsylvania. With the help of one of our geology majors, John studied and documented a comprehensive
list of potential environmental problems that exist in Clinton County. This work laid the foundation for
several community-based research projects that are still ongoing in the geology program at LHU. He was a
collaborator of several long-term research projects that involve study of the role that agriculture plays in
surface water quality in central Pennsylvania and its contribution to the Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts;
impacts of acid mine drainage on water and soil in Beech Creek watershed in Clinton and Centre Counties;
the impact of Marcellus Shale gas-well drillings in the Beech Creek watershed; and baseline of water-quality
parameters in the Hall Run watershed that supplies drinking water to more than 500 residents in South
Renovo Borough. John served on the Clinton County Marcellus Shale Gas Task Force from its inception. He
played a vital role in the Susquehanna Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies, a.k.a. the River Group,
which is a coalition of faculty members from six universities in central Pennsylvania who are involved in
environmental research. He attended monthly meeting of the River Group for the last seven years. John
presented a paper on geology of the Marcellus Shale at a conference held at Lycoming College in January of
2010 that was attended by more than 500 people.
John was always a hopeful person, yet he was concerned about the future of our planet. He recognized that
our consumer-oriented life style and the exponential population growth are the root causes of most of the
environmental problems that humanity faces today. He believed that for humanity to have a sustainable
future, we will have to put more emphasis on a science-based education and knowledge-based policy making
process.
John always exercised simple living. He was a “down to earth” kind of a person and always practiced what
he preached. He always put his cause above his personal life. In a message before he left us for a place of
eternal peace, John asked his friends to not bring any flowers to his funeral, but to donate the money to the
charities he supported while he was alive. He was a perfect gentleman in every sense of the word. His vision
of a sustainable earth included a simple living. The earth would be a better place to live if we had more
people like John. Although it will be difficult to fill the void that John left in our lives, we can keep his legacy
alive through adoption of the simple living he practiced. John, I will miss you every time I go out in the field
to collect a water or soil sample. I already miss you. You were a constant in my life, and will always act as a

lighthouse for me as I navigate through the ocean of knowledge that you left behind for us. I salute my friend
of the environment --John Way. Let’s keep his legacy alive.
Spring
~Zach Fishel (LHU English Alum)
Blowing steam in March air
running
like new calves in the meadow
happy to have fallen from
wombs,
never knowing the slaughter to come.
We all dance,
around circular stones and ashed
dirt.
Death in the light,
pushing for a chance to stain the earth
like bergamot
does grey tea leaves.
A Matter of Survival: Invasive Species
~Melissa Eldridge (LHU Recreation Management Major)
Invasive species - species of animals, plants, etc. that are non-native to a specific area - are a great threat to the
biodiversity of ecosystems. Invasive species are primarily introduced to an ecosystem through human action,
both intentionally and unintentionally. For example, purple loosestrife was intentionally introduced to the
United States as an ornamental plant, but it competed with native plants and was unsuitable as food and
shelter for the native animals. Species that were unintentionally introduced are known as stowaways or
hitchhikers. For example, fire ants from South America were unintentionally imported by “hitchhiking” on
cargo ships.
When invasive species are introduced to a non-native ecosystem, they cause harm economically,
environmentally, and to human health. According to Alexandre Meinesz, a marine biologist and professor of
biology at the University of Nice, more than 7,000 invasive species have been introduced to the United States

and about 15 percent of them cause ecological and economic damages. In order for the economy,
environment, and health of humans to flourish and remain in a healthy state, action needs to take place
against invasive species and the threats they pose.
The introduction of invasive species may result in economic benefits, but
overall results in economic damages and harm. For example, the
intentional introduction of wheat to many parts of the world from Asia,
carries great economic benefits as a staple crop. On the other hand,
Kudzu, a vine that was introduced to the southeastern United States
from Asia, was intentionally introduced to help prevent soil erosion.
This species, however, has caused losses up to a million dollars in timber
productivity due to its ability to crowd and choke the surrounding
vegetation.
According to the Ecological Society of America, the damage caused by
invasive species on United States agricultural grounds and rangelands costs over $54 billion annually.
Although the intensions of introducing non-native species may be for good, they may result in economic
harm to a country or nation.
The introduction of invasive species can threaten biodiversity to the point of the extinction of a species. When
a non-native species is introduced, they typically reproduce and disperse quickly, can survive in harmful or
extreme environmental conditions, and have no natural predator. As a result, they compete with the native
species of that area for food, water, and a place to live and thrive. Non-native species may also introduce
diseases and pathogens new to an ecosystem and its natural, native species. Since the native species of that
area have never come in contact with those diseases and pathogens before, they do not build up immunities,
resulting in sickness or death. Also, invasive species may prey upon native ones in an ecosystem. For
example, the common pine shoot beetle was introduced to the United States unintentionally from Europe by
“hitchhiking” on imported wood packing material. This beetle is a threat because it feeds on the shoots of
pine trees in the United States and causes a reduction in the tree’s height and stunts its growth. Another
example is the Northern snakehead that was intentionally introduced to the United States for consumption
from many parts of Asia. The Northern snakehead is a threat to aquatic ecosystems because it has no natural
predator and preys on native species. It can also survive on land for about four days without water, which
allows it to disperse to other ecosystems, affecting them as well.
Invasive species can negatively and indirectly disrupt an ecosystem by disrupting the food chain and altering
the conditions of an ecosystem. The conditions can be altered by the invasive species changing the chemistry

of the soil, the intensity of wildfires, or the availability of nutrients for other species.
The introduction, reproduction, spreading, and thriving of an invasive species can eventually lead to the
extinction of a native species of an ecosystem, especially since they have no natural predators. In order to
protect ecosystems and their inhabitants, action against these threats need to occur.
Invasive species not only threaten the economy and the physical environment, but they also cause harm to
human health. Some of these harmful effects include the spread of pathogens and diseases, skin irritation,
and bites and stings. For example, the Asian tiger mosquito, which was introduced to the United States
through the importation of tires from Japan, vectors or carries many viruses such as West Nile virus. This
virus causes fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, confusion, weakness, and even loss of consciousness or
fatality in humans.
Another example is the introduction of wild boars to the United States from Eurasia for consumption. This
species spreads diseases such as brucellosis to humans and also livestock. Also, their feces may contain E.
coli, like the contamination of baby spinach in 2006, which can cause serious food poisoning in humans.
Africanized honey bees were intentionally introduced to the United States from Africa to increase honey
production. These bees, however, are aggressive and painfully bite and sting humans.
The introduction of invasive species not only causes harm economically and environmentally, but also to
human health. Although the introduction of a certain species may have been for beneficial reasons, invasive
species can spread diseases and inflict injuries on humans that can be serious or fatal. It is time to take action
against the spread of invasive species in order to reduce the threats they pose.
Many simple steps can be taken to stop the spread of invasive species and to save ecosystems and their
inhabitants, including us: humans. One simple step that you can take is to educate yourself of the many kinds
of invasive species in your area. When planting, choose to plant native species instead of invasive,
ornamental ones. This will allow other plant species to thrive as well. After recreating in the outdoors, clean
any equipment or gear such as boots, tents, tires, bikes, and boats to remove plants, seeds, and insects. When
camping, buy firewood close to that area to minimize the introduction of a species to a new area. If you wish
to buy exotic fish or any other aquatic animals, learn to care for it properly and do not introduce it to a local
stream or any other ecosystem. Educate others! Educate others about the dangers of invasive species
economically, environmentally, and to human health to your local community. Spreading the word will
greatly help reduce the spread of invasive species which will help reduce threats.
For more information on invasive species and how to take action against them, please visit the following sites:

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USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center
National Wildlife Federation's Invasive Species Site

The Dance of the Squirrels
~Barrie E. Overton (LHU Biology Professor)
My wife was running late for work, which meant I got to use bathroom last, but it was ok: class didn't not
start until 9:00 a.m., and I had already prepped for it. My day went about as expected: students turned in
their projects, I had lunch with a few faculty members, and I worked on a manuscript. My wife texted me at
about 6:00 p.m. and asked if I would stop and get a few groceries after work. After dinner (Mexican takeout),
we cleaned up the house. I decided to do some grading before bed, and I fell asleep on the couch in a pile of
papers. The next morning the dance continued.
Jump forward a few weeks. It is 4:30 a.m. and fall is about midway to winter. It's archery season, and I have
to get to the woods well before dawn's first light. I stop at Sheetz for a coffee and granola bar, but at the last
minute, I put the granola bar back and get a cream-filled donut. Today is not routine. I have class at 9am, so
this will be a short hunt. I showered with scent-free soap, so I can hunt till about 8:15 and still get to class, but
I'll be wearing blue jeans--oh well. I enter the woods, and after walking nearly a mile to my favorite spot on
Fox Hollow Mountain, I have an hour before it gets light. To maintain my night vision, I use my flashlight
with red tape over the lens to find my way, and as dawn approaches, my eyes are gathering and detecting as
much light as possible. It really is amazing how much you can see in the darkness just before dawn, if you are
not exposed to artificial lighting. I find my spot, an old-growth hemlock that is broken about 6 feet up. The
trunk is so big I can’t fit my arms around it. The tree fell down the side of the ridge and provides a great place
to sit. I don’t hunt from trees. Perhaps if I had a tail for balance, I would, but balance and coordination are
not the strong suites of many biology professors—at least that is what I tell myself. When previously
scouting this location, I moved some of the branches while wearing rubber gloves, coated in doe urine to
conceal my scent, making a small blind to hide my presence. In the darkness, I climb into my concealed area.
If there were any deer in the area they had to hear me, as my entrance to the blind was far from
graceful. Small fibers from my ghillie suit became tangled in branches, breaking several of them as I moved
into position. I sit with my back to a large limb of the fallen tree, cross my legs, and load my crossbow.

The chickadees were the first to stir at dawn. They flit from branch to
branch. One landed right in front of me, looked me square in the eyes,
and began calling to the others that something was out of place. It is
cold, and Mother Nature can’t decide if it is going to rain or snow, so I
am pelted with a mix. I begin surveying the area, slowing moving my
head from side to side, as deer can spot quick movements. My legs are
numb, beginning to fall asleep, and I feel the cold in my feet. I should
have worn my other boots, but they are not scent free, and covering my
scent is more important than comfort. I notice two squirels peeking out
of a hollowed-out hole in the broken hemlock. They begin their morning
routine: one stands guard, while the other goes out for an acorn. They exchange places and dance the
morning away. Their movements are no less coordinated than any attempts my wife and I make at the waltz
or the merengue. My legs are mush, fully asleep, and my mind is crying out for me to move. But if I move, I
will make noise and scare any deer off that may be in the area. I have to do something to take my mind off the
discomfort, so I let my arms go slack, slow my breathing, and stare at the squirrels. I am in a trance-like state,
awake, but all my attention focused on the squirrels. I hear an oak leaf fall from a tree behind me. I hear the
chickadees flitting from tree to tree, always keeping their distance from my position. The squirrels keep to
their routine, and I continue to get pelted with a wintery mix. Then, as if magically appearing into existence
(quantum mechanics postulate just such a possibility), I see a doe and fawn appear from the forests just along
the ridge. They are heading right toward me. A coyote howls in the distance, and the doe and fawn react.
They decide to bed down about 10 feet from me, near the branch where the chickadee spied me. The yearling
fawn pushes its body against the length of the fallen hemlock not to far from where it snapped from the base
and goes out of sight. The doe’s head is just visible from the log and she scans the area looking for danger,
ears twitching at every sound. She looks right at me several times, but I fight the urge to make eye contact,
and use my peripheral vision to spy her. I refuse to harvest a doe with a yearly fawn, because I'm afraid the
coyotes would get such a young deer without the mother around, so I watch them. We dance the morning
hours away. They are so close I can hear their breathing and their chewing. In the distance I hear a grunt and
see a buck, a nice 8 point about 80 yards away, far out of range of my crossbow. He does not linger and
quickly moves away. It is 8:00 a.m. and time for me to leave. I move to my side, slowly untangling my legs, as
they are rubber, and the throbbing, itchy-tingling sensation begins. The doe and fawn leap up, surprised by
my movement. My ghillie suit and lack of scent confuses them, and they don’t run. Instead, they slowly walk
away. I begin my hike down Fox Hollow Mountain as blood begins to pump to my legs. It is back to reality,
time to go gather the nuts. I chuckle out loud.
I definitely will return to this place for a reprieve from my dance through life, seemingly more complicated,

but in all reality, not so different from the dance of the squirrels.
Cycle
~Guy Graybill (Author of Prohibition's Prince )
Ripening chesnuts.
Neglected too long; new life
Wriggles through their skins . . . .

The Headless Ghost of the Mid-State Trail
~Lou Bernard (Curator, Clinton County Historical Society)
I’m getting older. I admit it. Most of the time I don’t notice, but when I
begin thinking of the Mid State Trail, it occurs to me. In my younger
days, I always wanted to hike the entire Mid State. Now, just short
segments at a time will satisfy me. Beginning on the north end of the
state, in Tioga County, the Mid State runs clear across the state to the
Mason-Dixon Line. It’s a challenging, fun trail to hike, though I have not
done the whole thing. Because, as I said, I’m getting older.
Someone else who may have noticed his age was Henry Shoemaker.
Shoemaker was born February 24, 1870, so he would have been
celebrating his birthday last month if he hadn’t interrupted the process
by dying in 1958. Shoemaker, from McElhattan, was a state archivist,
folklorist, and writer, he copied down a lot of old legends and stories.
Ghosts, buried treasures, monsters, and other weird legends were
Shoemaker’s interest.
Shoemaker would have enjoyed the Mid State Trail, especially as it
seems to have magical properties. Sources do not agree on how long it
is, meaning that depending where you look it up, the trail changes from ninety-two miles long to over three
hundred. What a weird, magical trail. Shoemaker would have loved it. Part of the Mid State goes through

Woolrich and McElhattan. These are segments I have hiked, and the McElhattan section is the subject of one
of Shoemaker’s stories.
To get to this section, take 150 to the McElhattan Bridge. Once you cross the bridge, turn sharp right onto Old
Bridge Road. By the river, turn onto Spook Hollow Road, and you’re there. That’s the Mid State. As you walk,
all you have to do is follow the orange blazes. And as you walk, keep your eyes open for the ghost of a
headless Frenchman. That’s one of Shoemaker’s stories.
The man was named Gaston Bushong. He was commanding a fort in the area that is now McElhattan. When a
Native American named Two-Pines was killed in the Renovo area, he received word that there was going to
be an attack in retaliation.
Bushong attempted to defend the fort, but to no avail---The best he could do was to make a retreat with his
best men and his niece. They all climbed on a raft in the river and began to escape, but were caught by the
enemy. Bushong’s men were killed, and his niece kidnapped by the Indians. As he fought, Bushong was
attacked by one of the Indians, who beheaded him and threw the head into the water. The river, it was said,
ran red with blood. His niece was taken captive, and eventually escaped. Bushong’s headless ghost,
according to the story, still roams the area that is now that section of the Mid State Trail, searching for his lost
head.
Up further on the route is a monument, also placed by Shoemaker. The monument shows the location of Fort
Horn, once home to the Fair Play Men. During the Revolutionary War, a group of men gathered together to
form a temporary local government, settling disputes among the local farms. These men signed their own
Declaration of Independence, known as the Pine Creek or Tiadaghton Declaration. It was similar to the
Philadelphia Declaration, except it had different phrasing and didn’t have a treasure map on the back. (As far
as I know.) It was signed the same day as the other one, on July 4, 1776.
The men sent it to Philadelphia, but were delayed by Indian capture. When they got to Philadelphia, in a
Monty Python sort of moment, they were told,”A Declaration of Independence? We already sent one of
those.” So they brought it back to the Fort Horn area and buried it somewhere around the fort. And there it
remains….A mystery, only noted by the monument that Shoemaker placed along what is now the Mid State
Trail.
So if you’re hiking in that area, whether you’re interested in a ghost trying to get ahead or a historic
document that may still be buried in the neighborhood, you have Henry Shoemaker to thank for preserving
the story. Thank you, Henry. And happy birthday. You can also access this site through the April 201

Hemlock Hike: Henry Shoemaker's McElhattan.
Pine Creek Rail-to-Trail a Pleasure
~Michael Neff (Radio Producer and Lock Haven native)
[This article was first published in the Lock Haven Express on September 10, 2008]
Recently, I learned of an amazing accomplishment by a 76-year-old man named
Weldon C. Cohick Jr.
Either on foot, on a bicycle, or by canoe or raft, he has made 300 trips through the
Pine Creek Valley. From Darling Run to Blackwell, and MapQuest coordinates
beyond, Mr. Cohick is a Keystone State treasure.
While I cannot equal his record of enthusiastic adventure, I can easily identify with
why he (and so many others) love this scenic section of the Pennsylvania wilderness.
Long before the rail-trail was constructed, I would look forward to my own annual
walk from Darling Run to Blackwell. Occasionally, I would have to step aside to
allow a Conrail freight train to pass by. One year, to my surprise, the railroad tracks
were gone, allowing my stroll to be much more comfortable.
Now the rail-trail is a reality, I eagerly plan any reason to explore (on foot or bicycle) any leg of the Wellsboro
Junction to Jersey Shore terrain.
This July, I convinced many classmates from my Mansfield High School Class of 1970 to bike from Darling
Run to Blackwell. We had so much fun, we are planning a Blackwell to Slate Run trek in October.
People (mostly skeptics) often ask me, "What's so enticing about exhausting yourself in such a desolate area?
Doesn't it all look the same?"
These doubters are missing the point. For me, the Pine Creek Rail-Trail is a mental exercise. It's an
opportunity to get away from the "conveniences" of modern life and refresh one's spirit with the natural
wonder that surrounds you in the beautiful Pine Creek watershed and valley.

Whether making the trip with good friends, or as a solo venture, you will feel great while under way, and
especially when you reach your destination.
My fellow Pennsylvanians: Clear your head. Open your eyes and ears. Exert easy effort for an invigorating
experience. The Pine Creek Rail-Trail (no matter which direction you're pointed) is worth every step or
rotation of the bicycle pedal.
Nature Abounds Announces the Forest Summit
~ Melinda Hughes-Wert (Nature Abounds President)
Join Nature Abounds on Saturday, April 28th, 2012, for the first annual Forest Summit for
education, inspiration, and networking in Central Pennsylvania! The event will be held at
the SB Elliott State Park from noon until 6 PM.
At the Forest Summit, we’ll look at issues the Pennsylvania forest is facing such as:
hydraulic “fracking,” wild animal rehabilitation, climate change, environmental health,
urban sprawl, invasive plants/pests, and what citizens can do to help.
We’ll also discuss public lands, recreation opportunities, as well as your rights and responsibilities as
Pennsylvania citizens.
Guest speakers will discuss many varied topics from forest health to native tree species also wildlife and
natural habitats and even how modern technology can fit into your conservation efforts.
You can also network with other activists and volunteers from around the state, and possibly from
surrounding states as well. Also during the gathering, Nature Abounds will launch our new Keepers of the
Forest Initiative and Citizen Watch opportunity.
For more information or to register for the event, go to www.natureabounds.org and click on the “Forest
Summit” tab. You can also call 814-765-1453 or email forests@natureabounds.org for more information.
The Donut Hole Trail Revisted
~Maribeth Hanna Long (LHU Counselling Professor)

On Sunday, February 18th, Lenny and I hiked one of the trails featured
in The Hemlock (March 2008 and March 2010). The hike we chose was the
“Donut Hole Trail/Lick Run Loop." From the name, we were fully
expecting a donut shop located somewhere along our trek! Thankfully,
during this wonderful hike four of our senses were blissfully bombarded
and we had no need to taste any donuts! It’s an easy and short drive to
this hiking destination. On your way to the state game land at Lick Run,
you’ll drive through the village of Farrandsville and passed the
Farrandsville Iron Furnace before coming to the parking area.
The early segment of our hike was a gradual incline running through
forest ravaged by storms that left massive trees unearthed on either side
of our path. The sheer power of such a storm in toppling these giant
trees was awe-inspiring. I had spoken with John Reid at our LHU
Admissions Open House the day before, mentioning to him a shorter
hike that Lenny and I had done at Lick Run a few weeks ago. John gave
me sage advice about navigating with care the mid-point of our Donut
Hole journey. Shortly after Lenny and I began to feel that we had gone astray, I told him about my
conversation with John, sharing “You know, Lenny, John said to make sure that we uhhhhh … I didn’t catch
the rest of it.” Fearing that we just might be susceptible to such a navigational snafu, we brought the
directions from The Hemlock with us and were able to see the error of our ways and right ourselves very
quickly. The transition from the orange blazes to the blue blazes was where we had gone wrong. We do want
to stress caution in this portion of the hike because we often found the blue blazes to be quite faded &
difficult to see, prompting us to exclaim, “What in blue blazes!” I’m so sorry, I just couldn’t resist.
The most breathtaking part of our hike wound through spectacularly lush stands of rhododendron that
dwarfed our rhododendron at home on Terrace Drive. While I had always referred to our rhododendron as
bushes, this plant seen along the Donut Hole Trail was no bush! A quick visit with Webster’s revealed that
rhododendron comes from the Greek, rhodon, meaning rose and dendron, meaning tree. We all know that
rhododendron is common in our region, but I would venture to say that I’ve never seen rhododendron like
this. We estimated it to be 20-30 feet tall! At times we were literally stopped in our tracks just gazing in
wonder at the lush sea of green that blanketed the landscape around us. Of course, time and time again we
lamented that we had forgotten our camera – I urge you not to make the same mistake. The final leg of our
hike found us walking with the babbling stream beside us as it serenaded us in its journey onward to the
Susquehanna. The tranquility of this part of our journey silenced our jabbering to one another so that we
could simply enjoy the peace and natural beauty all around us!

As we marveled at the sights and sounds of nature, I reminded Lenny of a book we read to our children when
they were wee ones. The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers was originally published in 1906. It’s a
fanciful tale of the seasons with Mother Nature waking the Root Children from their winter’s sleep to begin
preparing for spring. Though we’ve had a ridiculously mild winter with little snow, this landscape along our
hike was intermittently snow covered and revealed at times the stirrings of spring in the stream’s algae
covered rocks and the rich green groundcover peaking through the snow – alas, the Root Children at work!
Hike of the Month: Middle Segment of the Hyner Trail Challenge 50k
~Jamie Walker (LHU Distributed Systems Manager) and the PA Trail Dogs
I am an avid long distance trailrunner and completed this hike in preparation for the Hyner Trail Challenge
50k, which is run in April. The trail is about 10.5 miles and can be run in two plus hours or hiked in four
hours. My first trip to this trail was on Sunday January 17 th. The starting temperature was around 20 degrees
with 3-5 inches of fluffy, powdery snow on the ground. The temperature warmed to a balmy 25 degrees by
the end of the trek. The snow made the run awesome with amazing views at the vistas and chandelier-like
formations of ice along Ritchie Run. I hope you can make it to this remote part of the West Branch and enjoy
the scenery as well. You should have all- or 4-wheel drive to reach the trailhead before April 1st since there
will probably be snow and ice on Ritchie Road until then. The trail is marked with orange survey ribbons in
preparation for the Hyner Challenge. If you have traveled more than 50 yards and do not see a ribbon you are
off course and should backtrack until you find the last ribbon then forge ahead. What follows are the
directions developed by the PA Trail Dogs with my added two cents.
Driving Directions from LHU: Drive east on Water St. Take Left onto Jay St. Bridge Turn right onto PA-664
N/Swissdale Rd. Continue to follow PA-664 N for 17.4 mi. Merge onto PA-44N and follow 5.2 mi. Turn Left
onto Hyner Mtn Road follow 1.1 miles. Turn Left onto Ritchie Road and follow 3.5 miles to the Nature
Conservancy Kiosk on right side of road (Google map and directions). Park near the kiosk, but please allow
room for visitors to access it.
Mile 0-2-- The Nature Conservancy Kiosk is the starting point. Follow the forestry road under the gate and
out to the top of Middle Mountain where you will come to the Pipeline Trail at the top of a moderate grade.
Turn left onto the Pipeline Trail which offers some nice, soft terrain for almost 1.5 miles. This trail
travels south and brings one out to an awesome vista overlooking the river. Take a second to see the second
best view in the area!!! The Trail Dogs named the vista after fellow Trail Dog, Bob Farley. You can see the
Susquehanna below and Hyner View to the right.

Mile 2-4-- Hikers will leave the Farley Vista and descend through a winding trail into the top of Bear Pen
Hollow. This trail cuts backs north as it follows an old logging trail for about a mile and a half before
switching back and heading south again towards the river. We refer to this area as the "zig-zag". Bear Pen
Trail is a two-mile downhill in which hikers/runners can make up some time if they are in a hurry or
meander along if they are not on a schedule. After making a turn at the last switchback out of Bear Pen,
runners will descend a steep fire line trail down into Ritchie Run. A quiet run is quickly interrupted by the
sounds of the raging stream below. I saw coyote, deer, and turkey tracks when I traveled this section.
Mile 4-7-- Hikers/Runners will now start the journey through the remote Ritchie Run. It’s a 2.5 mile grind up
through the hollow with stream crossings around every corner. Waterfalls are aplenty as runners meander
through. Unless we have a severe freeze or a dry spell, feet are going to be wet!!! Gore-tex footwear are
critical to keeping your feet dry in this section. The last half mile follows an old log flume to the top of the
mountain. The flume is subtle at first until you notice the symmetrical U shaped profile and the presence of
trickling water. It’s amazing to think that when in use, the flume was a muddy or icy channel used to slide
two-ton logs at significant velocity down the mountain to Ritchie Run and eventually to the Susquehanna.
Mile 7-9.5-- Hikers/Runners will follow a dozer trail for a half mile out to Sugar Camp Road. Just follow the
ribbons -- the trail doubles back on itself. Cross the road for a few hundred more yards to the Camp Trail.
Camp Trail veers off to the left and follows a single-track path through the Chestnut Orchard for a few
hundred yards. This trail is easy on the feet and will meander through some dense forest and bring runners
out to the West Branch Nature Conservancy Camp. This camp was built in the early 1930's by the CCC men. I
was impressed by the beautiful stonework on the camp. Follow the camp lane to Sugar Camp Road.
Mile 9.5-10.5—Relax. The trail is all downhill from here. Follow the road for about a mile to the TNC Kiosk.
You have just completed the middle segment of the Hyner Challenge. If you are up for another 20 miles see
the maps below. On the topo map the trail head is east of mile marker 20 and then follows the trail from 9
clockwise back to 20. On the aerial photo the trail head is near the tail of the white arrow at the top of the
map.

Environmental Focus Group
Bob Myers (Chair), Md. Khalequzzaman, Lenny Long, Jeff Walsh, Lee Putt, David White, Ralph
Harnishfeger, Barrie Overton, Melinda Hodge, Melissa Becker, Todd Nesbitt, Sharon Stringer, Jamie Walker,
Colleen Meyer, Steve Guthrie, Brad Dally, John Reid, and Josh Drouin. The committee is charged with
promoting and supporting activities, experiences, and structures that encourage students, faculty, and staff to
develop a stronger sense of place for Lock Haven University and central Pennsylvania. Such a sense of place
involves a stewardship of natural resources (environmentalism), meaningful outdoor experiences, and
appreciation for the heritage of the region.