Scenic Views

Anybody can go to the zoo to see exotic creatures, but it takes a real adventurer to seek out the fabulous fauna of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The zoo looks downright tame when you can see osprey, bald eagles, and hawks thriving - and hunting - right here in their natural habitat. And who cares about the lowly leopard when you can see the majestic bull elk?

The best way to experience Pennsylvania's wildlife is along the Elk Scenic Drive - a 127-mile jaunt through the north-central part of the state, renowned for its natural beauty and fall foliage. Beaver dams and human dams, state parks, and scenic views make this trip a photographer's dream. The route is just off I-80, so you can start your trip from the west at PA Route 153 or from the east at PA Route 144. The itinerary given here traces from east to west.

First up: the German Settlement Reclamation Project. The birdwatching here is amazing as is the fact that these rolling hills and grasslands were once an old strip mine site. Stop off at Two Rock Run Scenic View and Fish Dam Run Scenic View to catch a glimpse of goldfinches, kestrels, hawks, or maybe even a coyote or red fox. Then you're on your way to Cranberry Swamp Natural Area, an open wetland surrounded by forest - ideal for spotting butterflies and bear (so be careful).

Kettle Creek State Park

Start Day 2 with a drive through Shintown and Westport and then take a leisurely detour north to Kettle Creek State Park. Created by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1962 with the construction of the Alvin Bush Dam, the 167-acre Kettle Creek Reservoir is full of trout, bass, perch, and crappie, so bring your fishing tackle. You won't be alone - bald eagles, herons, and osprey are the real pros when it comes to landing the big ones. Mountain bikers and equestrians will love the happy trails here, too. There's nothing like getting out in the crisp fall air on horseback.

If you're up for camping, you're in luck. The park has two camping areas, one along Kettle Creek and one on the reservoir shore. Beaches, playgrounds, and environmental education programs are yours to enjoy. Or, if you prefer, just relax by the water and let the otters, mink, and beavers entertain you. The wide variety of habitat types also makes this area spectacular for birdwatching; during the fall migration, many songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl make stops at Kettle Creek. Be sure to hike up to Kettle Creek Vista for a magnificent view of the turning leaves and the chance to see wildlife that call the higher elevations home - black-throated blue warblers and our state bird, the ruffed grouse.

Johnson Run Natural Area

>>Return to the Elk Scenic Drive and follow the Bucktail Path Trail into the Johnson Run Natural Area, 216 acres of rugged natural landscape where the blueberries grow thick and the songbirds thrive. The hiking here above Sinnemahoning Creek is not easy, but the hard work is worth it -- especially when you consider the unparalleled opportunities to observe black-throated green warblers, ovenbirds, reed-eyed vireos, and hermit thrushes. Down along the logging road, keep your eyes open for black-capped chickadees, yellowthroats, black-and-white warblers, towhees, robins, and indigo buntings.

Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail

Spend the first part of your day at Hicks Run Wildlife Viewing Area, an excellent place to spot members of Pennsylvania's wild elk herd. Elk are most active in the morning and at dusk, so rouse the kids and get an early start. An accessible blind makes spying on the elk easy; don't forget your camera. You might also see deer and wild turkeys in addition to songbirds and raptors.

When you're ready to get back in the saddle, head up to Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail, where you can follow a 26-mile loop or take a shorter ride. You can see a lot from horseback - check along the streams for beaver dams, wood ducks, and mallards, and be alert for ruby-throated hummingbirds during the fall migration. You can usually spot them among the orange-jeweled flowers, fueling up before their flight south. Whitetail deer are also abundant along the trails, as are elk. You and your equine companion will enjoy the calming atmosphere and brilliant colors of this young, regenerating forest.

Elk Extravaganza

This is it: the whole point of traveling the Elk Scenic Drive. Although you can see elk at almost any point along this roadtrip, today is the day when you'll visit the best-known and most likely places to meet this majestic animal face to face.

Start at the Pine Tree Trail Natural Area, but be sure to request a copy of the trail guide from the Elk State Forest district office first. The trail itself includes numbered stations that explain natural features -- don't miss the bat roost! Next, head to Winslow Hill and the Dents Run Elk Viewing Area. This is the most popular elk-viewing area in the state, attracting visitors from the northeast and Canada during the fall mating season. If you visit in September or October, listen for the bugle of the bull elk; it's his call to other males to come and fight him for dominance. If you're lucky, you might witness one of these epic battles. The Pennsylvania Game Commission presents elk programs in the natural amphitheatre and the education center, so you'll be sure to get the whole story. There's plenty of other wildlife to see, too.

You might also check out Gilbert Farm Elk Viewing Area, a panoramic vista overlooking open fields and former mining sites. Ongoing environmental reclamation is slowly restoring the area; elk, turkeys, and deer frequent the grassy mountaintops and hillsides that were once strip mines. Gilbert Farm is also a choice spot for birdwatching: indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, eastern meadowlarks, and house wrens abound. In the fall, watch for migrating hawks catching the rising thermals from the valley.

Dam Fun

Parker Dam State Park?? features more than 16 miles of hiking trails, so lace up your boots and get ready to explore. You'll see habitat types that support many different kinds of wildlife. Hemlock forests are ideal for spotting the pileated woodpecker; listen for their loud calls and look for their chiseled ant-holes. Next up is a beaver-maintained wetland, where you can spot the busy caretakers as well as sparkling damselflies and dragonflies. Open hardwood forest beyond the wetland is home to red-eyed vireos and ruby-throated hummingbirds. If you look carefully, you might even see signs of bear. Parker Lake's shoreline is a haven for butterflies, waterfowl, and occasional ospreys or bald eagles. Enjoy the beach, or rent a canoe.

Beaver Run Dam Wildlife Viewing Area is ideal for seeing waterfowl, cormorants, and herons. Several shallow water impoundments host nest boxes for cavity-nesters like wood ducks and hooded mergansers, and small nest boxes along the edge of the forest are home to eastern bluebirds, tree swallows, and house wrens. Nearby open fields attract deer, elk, and turkeys, along with hawks and owls.