PA Wilds Fall Colors Trip

A row of cars parked in a field

Description automatically generated

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources (Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Reports), Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation — or anywhere in the world.  Pennsylvania is the meeting ground of northern trees that flourish only on mountain tops farther south and southern species that are at the northern limits of their range.

In search of that fall beauty we scheduled a trip on the weekend that the leaves peaked in 2023.  I started checking the foliage reports when they were posted at the end of September.  It looked like we were lined up for peak foliage and then some wacky weather caused the leaves to peak just before our trip.  As you will see from the pictures, we still managed to see a lot of beautiful fall colors during our trip!

Attendees:

  • Ben D. (and 2 kids) – Toyota 4Runner
  • Steve S. – Nissan Frontier
  • Sean M. (+2 family) – Ford F150
  • Victorsen – Ford Bronco
  • Jendra – Jeep JK
  • Michael R. – Ford Bronco
  • Catherine & Karl – Toyota 4Runner

The weekend started with Jendra and I meeting in Mill Hall, PA on Friday morning and doing one of my favorite trails in the area which runs along the Susquehanna River.

A car with luggage on the back

Description automatically generated
A jeep driving through a forest

Description automatically generated

We met up with Steve for lunch at Hyner View State Park which offers an amazing overlook!

A river running through a valley

Description automatically generated

From there we made our way to our group campsite at Ole Bull State Park where the rest of the group joined us.

Saturday morning, we headed off on a 72 mile paved and easy gravel road loop through the northern part of Sproul State Forest and Susquhannock State Forest.  We were treated to incredible fall colors and beautiful overlooks as we wandered through the forest over the course of the day.  We stopped for lunch at Cherry Springs State Park part way through the day.

A group of cars driving on a dirt road

Description automatically generated
A group of vehicles on a dirt road

Description automatically generated

That evening we enjoyed hanging out around the campfire as the temps again plunged towards freezing!

A group of people sitting around a fire

Description automatically generated

Photo Album: 10/18/24 PA Wilds

List 
 

Information

Click following button or element on the map to see information about it.
Lf Hiker
| E.Pointal
contributor

Friday 
 

Profile

50 100 150 200 5 10 15 Distance (mi) Elevation (ft)

No data elevation

Name:
No data
Distance:
No data
Minimum elevation:
No data
Maximum elevation:
No data
Elevation gain:
No data
Elevation loss:
No data

Duration:
No data

Saturday 
 

Profile

50 100 150 200 5 10 15 Distance (mi) Elevation (ft)

No data elevation

Name:
No data
Distance:
No data
Minimum elevation:
No data
Maximum elevation:
No data
Elevation gain:
No data
Elevation loss:
No data

Duration:
No data

178 Total Views 1 Views Today