All outings are open to the public as well as Moshannon Group members, and people of all levels of ability and interest are encouraged to participate. Start times vary, and meeting points are often decided just prior to the date of an outing. To contribute ideas for future outings, contact Moshannon Group Outings Chair Ben Cramer at doomsdayer520@gmail.com or (814)404-1120. Note: our previous practice of maintianing a mailing list for outings announcements has been discontinued. This page will contain the most up-to-date information, and interested parties merely need to contact the trip leader when wishing to join a scheduled outing.
Please Note: There has been some confusion about Moshannon Group outings that have been scheduled in Spring Creek Canyon, between Bellefonte and State College. We have hosted outings there, but this area is not open to the public, as it is under the ownership of Rockview Penitentiary. Anyone using this area is required to receive advance permission from the landowners, so any use of the creek or canyon should be scheduled through organized groups such as Sierra Club.
Saturday May 10
International Bird Day: Bird walk at Canoe Creek State Park, Blair County. Two-hour walk starting at 8;30 AM for maximum bird viewing potential. Expect to see 80 species of birds, during this observance of International Migratory Bird Day. Contact Stan Kotala at (814)946-8840 or ccwiba@keyconn.net . Note: On the evening of May 10, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM there will be a leisurely evening birdwalk on the Lower Trail, from Mt. Etna trailhead. Contact Stan Kotala for information.
DIRECTIONS: To reach Canoe Creek State Park, use US 22 in Blair County to the east of Hollidaysburg. At the village of Canoe Creek, seven miles east of Hollidaysburg, turn north on the Turkey Valley Road at signs directing you to the state park. After one half mile, turn right onto Canoe Creek Road. Follow the park road to the main day use area. Within view of the lake and beach, turn left for the Environmental Center.
Saturday May 24
Beginning birding on the Lower (rhymes with "flower") Trail, Blair and Huntingdon Counties. Meet at the Lower Trail Mt. Etna Trailhead pavilion for a leisurely mid-morning bird walk. Bird guidebooks, handouts, and binoculars will be provided. Learn to recognize birds by sight and by sound! Contact Stan Kotala at (814)946-8840 or ccwiba@keyconn.net . The trip time is 9AM to 11AM. Directions coming soon.
Friday and Saturday, June 6-7Third annual Rattlesnake Field Trip. Learn about Pennsylvania rattlesnakes and their habitats with experts Matt and Paula Wilson. Participants are nearly guaranteed to see rattlers. Full safety procedures will be observed. A morning hike in a pristine backwoods location in North-Central PA will be combined with optional camping at a nearby state park the evening before. More details to come; dates subject to change. Contact Ben Cramer at doomsdayer520@gmail.com or (814)404-1120.
Note: In the April Moshannon Group newsletter, the dates for this outing were listed as June 28-29. These dates have changed; sorry for any inconvenience.
Saturday and Sunday, August 2-3
Annual Moshannon Group summer backpacking trip. Suitable for beginning backpackers. This trip will take place in Allegheny National Forest, McKean County. Exact location and other details to be determined. More details to come. Contact Ben Cramer at doomsdayer520@gmail.com or (814)404-1120.
Saturday August 16
Canoeing/kayaking on Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek, Centre County, from Bellefonte to Sayers Lake at Bald Eagle State Park. Includes one-hour tour of historic Curtain Village. Moshannon Group will be able to provide some canoes with advance notice. More details to come. Contact Gary Thornbloom at bearknob@verizon.net
or (814)353-3466.
Kayaking and Canoeing with Moshannon Group. During the spring months, Moshannon Group will be hosting paddle adventures on the Little Juniata River and the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River (Blair and Huntingdon Counties). These events will be held in conjunction with Juniata Valley Audubon Association and will be scheduled based on daily water conditions. If you'd like to be notified about upcoming trips (notifications will occur about a week in advance), contact Stan Kotala at (814)946-8840 or ccwiba@keyconn.net to join an e-mail list.
Trail Measureent and Documentation with Moshannon Group. During Summer 2008, Moshannon Group Outings Chair Ben Cramer will be measuring one or more major long-distance backpacking trails in Sproul and Moshannon State Forests. Ben is writing detailed point-by-point trail guides to be published by Stackpole Books in 2009. Assistance will be needed on several different multi-day backpacking trips to take place in June through August. Assistance will include driving, scouting, and possibly nature photography. More details to come. Contact Ben Cramer at doomsdayer520@gmail.com or (814)404-1120.
Outings News:Attention McKean and Elk Counties!
For all our friends in the Moshannon Group's north country, more Sierra Club outings may be coming to your area. The Lake Erie Group, which borders the Moshannon Group to the west, often holds outings and events in Allegheny National Forest, and members of Moshannon Group are welcome to join in. Watch this page for details.
Overnight Adventures with the Moshannon Group
An extensive canoeing or rafting trip for the Moshannon Group is being considered, possibly combined with camping and biking. Locations of interest include Pine Creek Gorge, the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, or Beech Creek (between State College and Lock Haven), To express interest in this type of outing, or for more information, contact Ron Johnson at cavenkenu@wmconnect.com or (814)355-5434. Moshannon Group is also soliciting interest in overnight backpacking trips, during any season and at any location of interest to members. To make recommendations for this type of outing, contact Ben Cramer at doomsdayer520@gmail.com or (814)404-1120.
Top Photo: Clarion-Little Toby Bike Trail, Elk County (by Kris Boose).
Milldle Photo: Allegheny Front Trail, Centre County (by Chalandra Bryant).
Bottom Photo: Backpacking on Quehanna Trail, Cameron County (by Patrick Roberts).
This page last updated 05/08/08.