Larry A. Smail's Blog

  The morning was damp from the warming temperatures, and yesterday’s rain. A fog engulfed much of the area.                   

My friend, Frank Maus, and I decided to take a hike this morning to a trail known as the Buttermilk Falls Trail. This trail runs parallel  with Cowanshannock Creek. These waters flow into the Allegheny River north of Kittanning, Pennsylvania.                                                                                                                                                

We stopped for breakfast before heading to the trail. We didn’t know what to expect to see as we approached the trail.  We began the trek on a snow-covered trail showing evidence of little human activity in recent days. Deer tracks, however, were present everywhere.

The first sight to see was the brown-colored waterways of Cowanshannock Creek. Large chunks of ice were visible along the banks of the stream. Some areas had ice built-up against rocks, and logs. The flow was fast-paced.  We discussed how amazing fish can survive such waters!

Frank Maus

We walked to the end of the trail before proceeding farther along the creek. We saw some mink tracks at a couple of sites. We saw one red-tailed hawk.

   Much of the fog had lifted upon our return to the mouth of the creek. Here the waters flow into the Allegheny River. We could see where Cowanshannock’s brown water, and ice, had actually  been forced up, and over the river’s ice.

Ice on the Allegheny

I asked Laurie about walking this day and she said yes! The snow had been falling and continued to fall during the Valentine hike. We chose to hike at a local state game lands.

The temperatures were comfortable for walking, however, the winds were increasing as the temperatures slowly heading south to a predicted zero degree night. Wish I had three dogs!

Thistles blanketed in snow.

The approximate three mike venture produced  lots of natural beauty. One of my favorite times to hike, or hunt, is during snow storms. I find a special type of solitude during such events. The quiet can be deafening.

  We saw various birdlife including a thrush. I believe the little bird may have been a Wood thrush. This bird shouldn’t be local at this time of the year. Early spring??

A Thrush in February???

I, also, heard a male cardinal singing his early mating call today. Another sign for early spring. Actually this  happens every year around this time, but the observant nature lover will hear it and smile knowing that before long the wildflowers will be blooming and the turkey season will be here.                                                                                                       

  We, also, saw two deer and a flock of turkeys numbering around 22- 25 birds. They were in a stupor state and just standing around. I have witnessed this before. The birds feed and all of a sudden they all stop and stand around and rest.

Cattail at a small pond.

I had morning business near Freeport, Pennsylvania on January 21. I coordinated a hiking adventure at Harrison Hills Park to “kill two birds”, so to speak.                                                                                                                           

The snow began prior to eight o’clock and the snow engulfed my walk the entire time making for a beautiful sight to behold. One of my finest times to hike in winter is when the wind is absent and big flakes drift lazily through the forest. Absolutely, beautiful!

       I chose a five mile trail to trek. I wondered how the knee would fair since that “good ole” tear in my meniscus has flared up in recent weeks. The cortisone shot from last September has already worn off apparently. The constant pinch with every step was easily felt, but I managed to complete the five miles.                                               

The trail meanders around the perimeter of the park allowing for many varied types of woodland diversity to be viewed, as well as, terrain. Big timber; crabapple thicket; areas covered with multiflora rose, as well as, goldenrod fields are present.                           

Steep terrain

Terrain consists of rolling hills to very steep and rocky river hills. In fact, one can walk along the ridge and look down upon the mighty Allegheny River at spots. Freeport can be viewed. Also, one can look across the river to the site where the Massey Harbison abduction, by Indians, took place in 1792.  

A only saw two deer and several squirrels on the three hour walk. I did see plenty of small woodland birds and a pileated woodpecker.           

The web site of the park is:  http://www.alleghenycounty.us/park