| Potter Clinton |
| DESCRIPTION: The Hammersley Wild Area is part of the Susquehannock State Forest and is located in southern Potter and northern Clinton counties. The 30,253-acre forested area is a series of wooded valleys and ridges containing more than 51 square miles of roadless land. The closest town is Cross Forks on PA 144. This remoteness makes the Hammersley Wild Area ideal for birding. The area was timbered in the early part of the 20th century and many old logging railroad grades and roads can be found here. These grades and roads make it relatively easy to access the area where abundant wildlife, pristine streams and numerous bird species can be found. There are also pipeline right of ways that cross some of these abandoned logging roads. Although most of the area was logged in the early 1900s, 1,521 acres were left untouched and now support old growth hemlock trees three to four feet in diameter. This area is now called the F. H. Dutlinger Natural Area but is locally known as Beech Bottom Hollow. Surveys in the Hammersley have recorded many warbler, thrush, flycatcher, vireo and woodpecker species, most of what would be expected for a mature forested area. The Common Raven is also found here with regularity. Spring migration is the best time to visit with the third week of May being the most productive. |
DIRECTIONS: From Lock Haven, take PA 120 north to Renovo. A half-mile west of Renovo, take PA 144 north through the small village of Tamarack. Just after crossing Kettle Creek, the road comes to a T with PA 144 continuing to the right to Cross Fork and to the left to Kettle Creek State Park. The Hammersley Wild Area is north of this junction. In a clockwise rotation, these are the roads that surround the Hammersley Wild Area from this point: Kettle Creek Road, Trout Run Road, McConnell Road, Red Ridge Road, Windfall Road, Hungry Hollow Road, PA 144 south of Cross Fork. It is recommended that a PA Gazetteer be used when driving the perimeter roads. There are numerous places to pull off these State Forest roads where you can bird along the road or venture into the forest. A topographic map is essential if you are going any deeper into the area. |
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| Posted: 2009-12-04 00:00:00 Updated: |
