Today’s adventure took me to Nescopeck State Park. This park sits between two mountains; Mt. Yeager to the south and Nescopeck Mountain to the North. Most of the trailheads are accessed via Honey Hole Road. This is a beautiful area, and I’m still in awe when I’m driving down these Pennsylvania backcountry roads. To start the day I took a walk around Lake Frances. There’s a nice wide loop trail that goes around the whole lake. It’s not a very big lake, just .6 miles around. I didn’t see many people here except for some fishermen. After checking out the lake, I got back on Honey Hole Road and drove to the Wood Frog Loop Trail. There are 200 acres of wetlands in this park, and this trail is an easy 1.1 mile loop around a swamp on a wide grassy path. It’s very serene and relaxing here. After meandering around the loop and taking in the scenery, I drove to the parking turnout for the Mountain Loop Trail. This trail boarders SGL 187 and just off the parking area there’s a beautiful creek that heads into the Game Lands. The Mountain Loop is about 3 miles. There are lots of rocks and uneven terrain very typical of Pennsylvania. I took the loop clockwise making my way steadily up Nescopeck Mountain. This trail must not see much use because it was very overgrown. It also had a lot of spiderwebs. In fact, I almost walked right through the spiderweb of the biggest spider I have ever seen (besides a tarantula). From what I could guess after I got home and looked up Pennsylvania spiders, it was a Marbled Orb Weaver. I watched her spin her web before ducking underneath to pass by. At the top of the loop, the trail turns east. There were a few boulders here which would be a nice place to sit and take a break after the walk up the mountain. As I continued eastward the trail opened up to a sunny, grassy path before descending back into the woods. I didn’t see another human being on this trail (always a plus), but I did scare up a large grouse that took off when she saw me. I also found a praying mantis which eyed me curiously as I took her photo. It was a beautiful day. There’s more to explore here and I am looking forward to coming back.

I recently learned about Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary which is located not far from where I live. I’ve been doing short hikes and nature walks early in the mornings and sticking close to home because it’s been too hot and humid this summer to do any long mileage or strenuous hiking. This was my first time visiting the sanctuary which is part of Natural Lands, a non-profit organization preserving open space in Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Mariton is absolutely lovely. It sits on top of Bougher Hill and overlooks the Delaware River. There is a small trail system that took me through the woods and along the slopes of Bougher Hill to the River Lookout which on a clear day may have provided views of the Delaware Canal below. The woods were thick with morning mist and being the first on the trails so early in the morning I was breaking through spider silk from the previous evening. The forest was so still and quiet. The kind of quiet that almost hurts your ears. Who knew such a place existed so close to home! I kept my walk short today and didn’t bother to record any mileage. I simply enjoyed the scenery and took these wonderful photos. I will most definitely be back to do more exploring.

Nescopeck State Park, Lake Frances, Wood Frog Trail, Swamp Trail, Mountain Loop Trail, September 4, 2020

Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, July 25, 2020