OliverPhineas’ Trip Reports

Tagging along on this hike was me: Goo Grampus. Having only a couple of causal observations to add. First you might have missed the news that the Eastern Hellbender, recently became Pennsylvania's official state amphibian. This is important to know because these rare nocturnal, slimy salamanders are known to be in these parts. They inhabit clear, fast-moving creeks, like Square Timber Run, throughout the Appalachian mountains of Pennsylvania but tend to favor the mud in the rich and gooey silted bottoms of old springhouses. It is best not to disturb thier habitats when hiking in wild areas. You can however, choose your Hellbender nickname to bestow upon yourself when hiking the Square Timber Trail. My hiker Square Timber Trail name: Goo Grampus. To find yours, look it up on the posted picture chart. Another observation made during this early spring hike, it is still mostly brown everywhere. However looking closely and listening carefully, there are some green spots on carpet below to match the hues of the evergreens and mountain laurel. Mosses and Lichens are also the perennial greens of the forest. The moss and algae were heard to brag, "We're the only food producers on this rock." Thier branchy-looking companion did say back, "You act like a bunch of old stoneworts. You crusty hitchhikers better start liken your Lichen. You know I'm the one with enough structure to go places around here." My favorite portions of this hike were peering into the mucky bottoms of that old springhouse structure, wondering what was lurking around in there, and then climbing that steep switchback trail to the mountain ridge atop. Last note: My trail map got truncated because of Geo Tracking Glitch: At about 7.6 mile into the hike, on what was planned to be 10 to 12 miles, this hiker's smart phone device did an unexpected shutdown probably due to going into a battery saving mode. Must learn to carry an extra battery pack. The hiker had one but it was left in the vehicle.