Exploring the Mehoopany Creek Watershed.

North of Ricketts Glen State Park is the Mehoopany Creek Watershed.  To be more specific, the area that I'm talking about here is technically the south branch of Mehoopany Creek.  Essentially, the south branch of Mehoopany Creek and its tributaries will be our gateway to linking up Forkston (SGL 57) to Ricketts Glen, State park.

The landscape surrounding the south branch of the Mehoopany is basically comprised of deep mountain gorges spilling down from mountain top swamps. The hillsides are dotted with hemlock and beech trees, interspersed with mixed hardwood stands (basswood, maple, hickory cherry and oak). Young beech, striped maple, blueberry (high and low bush) and mountain laurel dominate the understory, along with princess pine sprawling low on the forest floor.

It is on the tops of the mountain sometimes where the biggest challenge lies in navigating the thick swamps. Losing direction is an easy thing to do.  But, it is here on the tops of these hills (roughly around 2300' in elevation, give or a take a few) where ground can be gained quickly on some of the lengthy game lands roads. With some snow and cross country skis, you have a multisport opportunity at the trek.

Looking Southwest, towards the goal.

My good friend knows this watershed all to well, and it's because of him that I've been really interested in making this trek happen. He's shared his experiences in these hills with me, and I'm really grateful for that hard earned knowledge, something that's hard to come by nowadays. You can't just Google that.