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Snowshoe, spring hikes herald new season

By Olivia Goudy ogoudy@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Winter backpacking is one of many winter-themed hikes and programs offered in Forbes State Forest.

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Olivia Goudy | Herald-Standard

Salamander and frog eggs, the latter pictured above, may be observed in vernal pools this spring.

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Submitted photo

A number of hikes and programs are offered in Forbes State Forest to promote education and a love of the outdoors.

There’s a bit of something for every one next weekend, whether you’re hoping to take advantage of snow or looking forward to the inevitable spring season.

The staff with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Bureau of Forestry promotes a number of nature and educational hikes during the winter months, two of which are scheduled for next weekend.

Rachael Mahony, an environmental education specialist with DCNR, who helps promote the use and education of Forbes State Forest, said the first is a “Snowshoes N’ Brews” program at 6 p.m. March 9 that includes beginner-level snowshoeing and samples of locally roasted coffee from the Linn Run Coffee Roasters.

In the event that Mother Nature brings a warmer weekend, though, the event won’t be a total wash.

“I always try to stress, if there’s no snow, we’ll still hike,” Mahony said with a laugh.

Mahony said she’s particularly excited for the annual hike that’s scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day, March 10.

“We’ve done it for about the past three seasons now, and it’s fairly popular. I get a small, but hardy crowd,” she said, noting that the “Signs of Spring” hike is a nice reminder to her, and the hikers, that nice weather is just about here, especially after a “long winter with inconsistent weather.”

That hike is scheduled to take place in the Blue Hole Division of the state forest, which Mahony says is an underused portion of the forest.

“It’s truly gorgeous, and not far from Seven Springs. It’s pretty accessible, especially with a 4WD vehicle,” she said.

For that hike, it’s all about the power of observation. On the moderate three-mile hike, participants will look for different signs of life, Mahony said.

“During the winter, everything goes into a dormant stage, but as soon as we get longer days, more sunlight, all those seasonal triggers encourage things to come out of that stage of rest, and we’re able to see a good bit,” she added. “Especially now, since we’ve had some warmer days in the mid, it’s the time when we’ll see things begin to change.”

One of the highlights of that hike is taking a closer look at vernal pools — or what Mahony said are large pools of water that are important to a forest’s ecosystem. They’re pools that are ideal for amphibians to lay eggs and go through beginning states of life cycles in.

Mahony said hikers usually see different species of salamander and frogs, and their eggs, including wood frogs and tiny spring peepers, and salamanders in aquatic life stages.

“For the hikers, it brings up childhood memories of handling them in their own backyard,” Mahony said.

Hikers are also encouraged to look for seasonal flora like skunk cabbage, as it’s one of the earliest plants to come up in late winter, early spring.

“I hope it encourages people to be more of aware of the natural environment, and the things we do — how changes can alter how things progress throughout time,” Mahony said.

She noted that the hike contains varied terrain. She recommends wearing sturdy shows, and said “bringing trek poles isn’t a bad idea.”

“The fact that it’s free, and we have such a knowledgeable education staff, you can gain skills and knowledge you might not be able to get somewhere else,” Mahony said. “It’s a great value.”

Other hikes coming up in Forbes State Forest are a Shamrock Shuffle at 11 a.m., March 17, which includes a roughly 6-mile hike to showcase the Laurel Highlands’ natural green phenomenons.

A Blue Moon Walk is also scheduled for 8 p.m., March 31, and features a 3-mile hike to learn more about the great blue moon.

In April, Mahony said she’s excited to partner with another environmental education specialist to again offer programming about woodcocks. Scheduled for April 6 and 7, attendees will learn more about the small game bird that practice a “sky dance” this time of year. At the end of the month, April 28, a Trek to Tall Trees series will promote history and education or the largest trees in state forests.

Registration is required for all events. Mahony said more information is available online or by calling 724-259-2201 or emailing her at mahony@pa.gov.

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