Schuylkill County Trails Directory - Learn more about the Appalachian Trail in Schuylkill County!

In 2011, the Schuylkill Leadership Class of the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce selected a worthy project to to celebrate Schuylkill County’s Bicentennial Year.  The Leadership Class developed an online directory of information on the hiking, walking, and water trails throughout the County and class members visited these locations to gather the information and photographs on the linked pages.

Visit the Schuylkill County Trails Directory.

A great description of the Appalachian Trail section in Schuylkill County is included, telling the story the Trail's history, access points, scenic vistas and unique experiences.

In the process of completing the project, they gained an appreciation for the natural beauty and rich history of Schuylkill County, and they hope you enjoy visiting some of these trails as well.

"Nothing like an October weekend at Hawk Mountain"

Hawk Mountain, perched right along the Kittatinny Ridge on the border of Berks and Schuylkill Counties, is one of the best places in northeastern North America to view the annual autumn hawk migration.  The 2,600 acre Sanctuary offers superb hiking in every season and the chance to see large numbers of hawks, eagles and falcons each autumn.  A must see for birders, outdoor enthusiasts and Appalachian Trail hikers visiting the Pennsylvania section.  Click on the image at right to see views of Hawk Mountain in Autumn courtesy of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary facebook page.  

This post is to remind us of better weather days, but hope all remain safe and sound throughout Hurricane Sandy.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary featured in Audubon Magazine

Famed Kittatinny Ridge observational, research and education facility, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, was just highlighted in Audubon Magazine as the number 1 site of the top 10 places to watch raptors in his Audubon Guide to Hawk Watching.

Kenn Kaufman of Audubon notes: "A beautiful setting and a rich history make this a must-visit destination for raptor fans.  When the northwest winds strike the Kittatinny Ridge, they create updrafts.  Migrating raptors in fall can ride these cushions of rising air for miles, gliding effortlessly toward the south-southwest, then connecting to other ridges along the Appalachian chain as they continue their journeys.  

Visit Audubon Guide to Hawk Watching to read more.

Annual Autumn Hawkwatch begins at Hawk Mountain on August 15th

Photo: Audubon PA

Starting this Wednesday, August 15^th, the famed Annual Autumn Hawkwatch begins at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary along the Kittatinny Ridge on the Schuylkill/Berks County border.  Open 9am-5pm, the Hawkwatch season will run from August 15^th to December 15^th daily.

Hike to the North Lookout and participate in this annual ritual. Bald eagles, kestrels and Ospreys are among the first migrants!

Visit the Kittatinny Coalition recreation page to learn more about birding along the Ridge and other Hawkwatch sites.

Celebrate Bald Eagle's Recovery in in PA

Bald Eagle sighted on Haldeman Island.  Photo: Kathy Burd Bauer.

Bill Uhlrich of the Reading Eagle reports the amazing recovery of the bald eagle and its nesting expansion into Berks County - now with five active nesting pairs in the county and over 25 adults and young counted.  

Read the full article here:
Bill Uhlrich: Celebrate Bald Eagle's recovery in state

Another nesting site along the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor is on Haldeman Island (State Game Land 290) in Dauphin County, an island along the Susquehanna River just north of its confluence with the Juniata River.  Closed to public access.  PA Game Commission Land Management Supervisor, Scott Bills, recently led a birdwatching hike in conjunction with Duncannon Borough's Appalachian Trail Community celebration where new birders were able to view the nesting site and treated to a few scenes of soaring adult bald eagles above.