Penn Wood Family Hike

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

Sunday, March 4, 2006

On Saturday, March 4,2006, fifty members of our Penn Wood community spent the afternoon hiking and observing some of the most magnificent birds in North America.  We came to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful display of tundra swans and snow geese on their northern migration to nesting sites near the Arctic Circle.  These incredible birds use the  Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area as a staging area before the final push north.  With over 6,200 acres of habitat, Middle Creek has become one of the premier waterfowl areas in the United States.   The five mile hike took us along Middle Creek which drains the lake area and then on to Horseshoe Trail which is a side trail to the Appalachian Trail.   Several bald eagles were observed soaring high overhead.  Some families tried the Conservation Trail hike around the visitor center. Most families elected to end the day with some observation time with binoculars trained on the many beautiful birds that will be moving on to their northern summer homes.

The flow of white wings against the sky is a powerful visual reminder.

This group of snow geese most likely represents two families.  The young birds were born last summer and will make the return trip to the Arctic with their parents. This is not an easy trip for these birds, as their weight is at its lowest point, needing to graze and restore energy in the months ahead.

Elder's Run is a small stream that starts in this mini watershed . It resembles many of the backcountry trout streams that were so abundant in Pennsylvania.  These streams were loaded with brook trout, our state fish.  They exhibit high quality water, insect and plant life.  We will be doing our students  a great service if we help them to understand how very special theses streams truly are, and how they serve as indicators of wellness for the larger environmental picture.

                                                           Hikers on the five mile hike stop to explore Elder's Run, a pristine stream that drains into Middle Creek.

Smiles from hikers reminds us of the benefits from hiking.   Hikers cross the old trolley bridge which supported the electric trolleys in the 1930's sending farmer's milk to the Hershey Chocolate Factory.

An  old building is explored during the hike.  The building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the mid 1930's.  The United States  was in a great depression with millions out of work.  The Civilian Conservation Corps built camps where unmarried men worked  for $1 a day.  There were camps in all states and today most of the roads, buildings, and bridges in our state and national parks were constructed from this amazing effort.  President Roosevelt ( FDR) was responsible for this popular program which ended when America went  into World War II.

 Hikers pause for a photo on the bridge at Elder's Run

There's something special about spending time in the outdoors!

Coming back on the Elder's Run Trail

Teachers, students and dogs all enjoyed the day! The Willow Point observation area gave our group a great look at this amazing display. We all share in the responsibility to preserve and protect our environment.

Close inspection of the sky reveals family subgroups moving on during this incredible journey.

Families and friends made their own discoveries.

Spending time together is the greatest gift.

Just before dark, a final flock moves back to the lake for the night.

Back to:  March 17,2007 Hike

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