(On the hiking trail. April 2008. © Robin)

A funny thing to do is, if you’re out hiking and your friend gets bitten by a poisonous snake, tell him you’re going to go for help, then go about ten feet and pretend that *you* got bit by a snake. Then start an argument with him about who’s going to go get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That’s why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke.

~ Jack Handy

On our way home from our last trip east, M and I stopped to do some hiking in Cook Forest State Park near Clarion, Pennsylvania. The little fellow pictured above was hanging out on the trail, catching some warmth from the rays of the sun. I do believe he startled M, who in turned startled the snake.

The park is one of 27 parks within the area known as the Pennsylvania Wilds. It’s a gorgeous region covering 12 counties in north central Pennsylvania, with over 1.5 million acres of state forest and game lands.

Cook Forest was once known as the Black Forest. Within Cook Forest you’ll find stands of old growth forest, the most notable being the Forest Cathedral where towering hemlocks and white pines reach for the sky and give you that feeling of being small in the grand scheme of things. Some of the trees are almost 200 feet tall, and are 250 to 300 years old.

The Clarion River runs along the east side of the park. M and I are looking forward to going back sometime this summer to do a little canoeing, and perhaps a bit more hiking. Cook Forest has 27 marked trails. However, I did notice that the trails we explored were not always well blazed. To add to the confusion there are two maps of the area, which we picked up at the park ranger’s office, with conflicting information. Bring a compass or a good sense of direction.

(Cook Forest State Park. April 2008. © Robin)

Although the trails are mostly obvious there are spots where downed trees have covered the trail and you’ll have to go around them. Usually this is not a problem in terms of finding the trail again, but some of the areas have a large amount of debris and sometimes finding the trail again isn’t as easy as you might think. Areas that are signed, such as above, are no problem, but there are areas that have been more recently affected by strong winds and tornadoes. In those areas the debris piles can be huge.

It’s very difficult to capture in a photograph the height and breadth of the trees in the Forest Cathedral. That didn’t stop me from trying.

(In the Forest Cathedral. April 2008. © Robin)

It helps if you have something or someone to give you a little perspective:

(My favorite hiking partner. Cook Forest State Park, PA. © Robin)

(A dead hemlock. © Robin)

I would venture to guess by the size that the above hemlock had been around for a long time before it finally gave up.

(A living hemlock. © Robin)

There’s a wonderful scenic view from Seneca Point. You can either walk up or, if you’re feeling lazy and don’t want to do all of that climbing, drive up on the fire road.

(View from Seneca Point. © Robin)

Way, way down there you can catch a glimpse of the Clarion River. I have photos with closer views of the river, but this one gives you a better idea of how high up it is on Seneca Point.