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This state forest resides within the counties of Union, Snyder, Mifflin, and Centre. Named for the American Indian chief Woapalanne that means bald eagle, the Bald Eagle State Forest holds a lot of history, beauty, as well as many trails. The best known trail is the Mid State Trail that runs the entire length of Bald Eagle State Forest from route US322 to the town of McElhattan, just south-east of Lock Haven.
The majority of trails within Bald Eagle State Forest are multi-use trails; used by hikers and mountain bikers alike. While you are exploring Bald Eagle State Forest, don't forget to check out it's many natural areas such as Tall Timbers, Hook, Joyce Kilmer, and White Mountain to name a view, as well as the R.B Winter, Poe Valley, Reeds Gap and Snyder-Middleswarth State Parks.
 Reviewed by Dottie Lentini of Kulpmont,Pa, PA 12/30/2007 |
| I decided to take a hike alone in early June, 2006. I stopped at the ranger station just befor entering the 3 county mountain trail. I got an enlarged map from a nice ranger at the station, he assured me that the trails were checked recently, and all should be safe for me to hike the full loop alone. Maybe there would be some blowdowns on the switchbacks on Thick Mountain, but that's all. So, off I went. First I parked my car at a small picnic area a half mile or so below the trailhead, by mistake, of course. As I finally foundthe trailhead, I found it absolutely breathtaking. All the ferns, moss and lush greens along this trail, that are not so plentiful on all trails. Than I proceeded, to travel along the switchbacks up thick mountain, there were so many blowdowns (fallen trees) I decided to go strait up a washout that went from the bottom to the top, reaching te fire tower area. I came upon a swarm of underground bees, fortunately, none of them attacked me. After a short rest, I proceeded across the top of thick mountain, again encountering many blowdowns. I thought this was a bit rough, only to find this would not be the most exciting paart of my hike. A nice clearing came under pine trees, so I was finally ab;le to move more quickly, well at least until that big rattle snake decided to be right near my foot. He started to rattle, laying across the path. He was not happy. I tried to get through the thick sick-like shrubs, trees whatever, but than it occurred to me there could be more snakes with him. So, I first took a few pictures of this snake, but by the time I did this he was starting to coil up. I did not want to go back on this difficult trail, since I wsa near done with the loop, so I just closed my eyes and ran past him. It seemed like all of this too an hour, but it was only a minute or so. I was petrified to see another snake as I kept going thru the rest of the trail. As I cautiously walked through the rest of the trail, I came to an area that had so much fallen trees, the trail just ended. I walked in circles for 30 minutes, trying to find my way to the path. I climed ontop of the trees and finally saw the trail below me and when I looked way down the path I could see a tree with a marking on it, so I knew I wasn't lost. Some of the downed trees had markings on them. I had to climb over about 200 feet of downed trees to find the cleard path. Right at this area it began decending and finally took me to the end otf the Thick Mountain Trail. I believe the area I was stuck at was where the plane wreck was, but I cannot figure out how the trail was not well marked or well maintained. Needless to say, I went directly to the rager station to share my thoughts about the way the trail was not as he told me it would be, but he was not there. I called a few days later, and asked if they could clear it. I could only picture helecopters looking for me after the another snake found me but this time stuck me. This was the first time I was afraid on a hike. At least I lived to tell my story. |
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