Description - The Weiser State Forest was named in honor of Conrad Weiser, a great leader of the colonial period. It consists of eight tracts of State Forest Land located in northern Dauphin, Schuylkill, Carbon and Berks Counties. The total area of State Forest Land is 17,961 acres. Within the Weiser State Forest are some very rugged and secluded wooded areas. These areas can be reached by the 65 miles of roads which have been constructed for wildfire suppression and administrative use. The Weiser State Forest is located in areas where pure mountain water originates. Several of these streams provide the sole source of drinking water for the Communities of Port Clinton, Lykens and Williamstown. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, which is a privately maintained wildlife refuge lies within the State Forest. The Sanctuary was established in 1934 to create a sympathetic understanding for all wildlife and to further interest in conservation. Ruffed grouse, wild turkey, great-horned owl and pileated woodpecker are found in the remote areas of this wildlife refuge. Feeding stations maintained at Headquarters attract many species of birds for close observation. There are lively hummingbirds in summer and colorful finches in winter. A total of 241 species of birds has been recorded in the Sanctuary since 1934. The 2,000+ mile Appalachian Trail travels the entire length of the District
Attractions
- The Weiser State Forest was named in honor of Conrad Weiser, a great leader of the colonial period. It consists of eight tracts of State Forest Land located in northern Dauphin, Schuylkill, Carbon and Berks Counties. The total area of State Forest Land is 17,961 acres. Within the Weiser State Forest are some very rugged and secluded wooded areas. These areas can be reached by the 65 miles of roads which have been constructed for wildfire suppression and administrative use. The Weiser State Forest is located in areas where pure mountain water originates. Several of these streams provide the sole source of drinking water for the Communities of Port Clinton, Lykens and Williamstown. The original forest was cut to supply the anthracite coal region with mine props and other material. With efficient protection from forest fires and the planting of over 1,500,000 tree seedlings, the Weiser State Forest is again stocked with stands of saw timber and pulpwood-size trees.
Recreation - All State Forest Lands are open to the public for hunting, fishing and general recreation. There are two small State Forest Picnic Areas located on the Haldeman State Forest Tract in Dauphin County. These picnic areas offer a secluded place to "get away from it all." The major hiking trail located in the Weiser District is the 2,000 mile Appalachian Trail which travels the entire length of the District. This trail is the longest continuous marked trail in the world. One end is at Mt. Katahdin, a 5,267 ft. granite monolith in the wilds of northern Maine. The other is at Springer Mountain, Georgia, the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As a part of the statewide wildfire protection system, ten forest fire observation towers are strategically located throughout the district and command excellent views of the surrounding country. These fire towers communicate with the District Office Headquarters by two-way radio and telephones. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, which is a privately maintained wildlife refuge lies within the State Forest. The Sanctuary was established in 1934 to create a sympathetic understanding for all wildlife and to further interest in conservation. It was the first sanctuary in the world to offer protection to the birds of prey. The spring migration is often interesting. A few hawks and waves of warblers pass through the area, reaching a climax in early May. Each month has some special natural attraction. The resident birds are those of eastern forested mountains. Ruffed grouse, wild turkey, great-horned owl and pileated woodpecker are found in the remote areas of this wildlife refuge. Feeding stations maintained at Headquarters attract many species of birds for close observation. There are lively hummingbirds in summer and colorful finches in winter. A total of 241 species of bird life has been recorded in the Sanctuary since 1934. Climate - Pennsylvania generally has a moist climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Weiser State Forest area generally has cold winter months with temperatures averaging from 24 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 to -2 degrees Celsius). The area's average summer temperatures range from 72 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 23 Celsius). Location -
Weiser State Forest consists of eight tracts land located in northern Dauphin, Schuylkill, Carbon and Berks Counties in eastern Pennsylvania.
|
Add your own trip Report!