Sproul State Forest
Encyclopedia
Sproul State Forest is a Pennsylvania state forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #10. The main offices are located in Renovo
, Pennsylvania
in Clinton County
in the United States
.
The forest is located in western Clinton County and northern Centre County
and contains 280000 acres (113,312.1 ha) of land. Its forests are part of the Allegheny Highlands forests
ecoregion
. It was named for former Pennsylvania governor William C. Sproul (in office from 1919 to 1923).
The first land for what became Sproul State Forest was purchased in 1898. This was also the first land purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for what are now the twenty Pennsylvania State Forests, with over two million acres (810,000 ha) of forest.
became concerned that the forests would not regrow if they were not managed properly. Lumber and iron companies had harvested the old-growth forests for various reasons. The clear cut
the forests and left behind nothing but dried tree tops and rotting stumps. The sparks of passing steam locomotives ignited wildfire
s that prevented the formation of second growth forest
s. The conservationists feared that the forest would never regrow if there was not a change in the philosophy of forest management. They called for the state to purchase land from the lumber and iron companies and the lumber and iron companies were more than willing to sell their land since that had depleted the natural resources of the forests. The changes began to take place in 1895 when Dr. Rothrock was appointed the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, the forerunner of today's Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
. The Pennsylvania General Assembly
passed a piece of legislation in 1897 that authorized the purchase of "unseated lands for forest reservations." This was the beginning of the State Forest system.
The Donut Hole Trail is approximately 90 miles (144.8 km) in length and connects with the Susquehannock Trail System
. The trail traverses Kettle Creek Park and terminates at Hyner Run State Park. The Donut Hole Trail is marked with orange paint blazes.
There are numerous other foot trails which were originally built for fire access which provide good hiking into most parts of the Sproul State Forest. These trails are not marked or maintained. When hiking in the Sproul State forest persons should dress for the weather and use map and compass
Equestrian Use -- An Equestrian Trail located near Kettle Creek State Park
is a 15 miles (24.1 km) loop. The Eagleton Mine Camp Trail, a multi-use trail, offers a 20 miles (32.2 km) loop through several historical locations in the area. Additionally with the exception of designated hiking trails and municipal watersheds, horseback riders may utilized the old woods roads and State Forest Road system. Trail maps are available by contacting the Sproul district office.
Mountain Biking -- All trails within the Sproul State Forest are open to mountain biking, with the exception of the Donut Hole Trail and the Chuck Keiper Trail. Most trails are kept clear over the summer, but some do become overgrown. It is recommended you contact the district office to find out which trails are better for riding. The Eagleton Mine Camp Trail offers excellent biking. Many sections are narrow, steep and rocky. The northern section is not as technical as the southern loop.
Cross-country Skiing -- Hiking Bear Ski Trail is located on Hyner Mountain
and traverses 14 miles (22.5 km). The trail covers diverse terrain providing opportunities for both novice and experienced skiers.
Snowmobiling -- Snowmobile Trails are available for use when snow conditions permit. The Hyner Mountain Trail
system is marked and groomed. Also, many State Forest Roads are open for joint use of snowmobiles and licensed motorized vehicles.
All Terrain Vehicles -- There is one area in the Sproul State Forest open to All Terrain Vehicles use. The area is located near the Huling Branch of Two Mile Run and consists of old woods roads, old coal mining roads, and unreclaimed surface mining areas. All the rest of Sproul State Forest is closed to All Terrain Vehicle use.
There are over 400 miles (643.7 km) of freestone cold water streams within the Sproul State Forest. Included in this total are 12 streams where water quality and native trout populations are such that these streams are classified as Wilderness Trout Streams.
Hunting -
Black bear, whitetail dear, and wild turkey habitat is abundant, and these species are found in good numbers throughout the Sproul State forest.
Hyner View State Park
offers seasonal hang gliding opportunities for recreation. Hang gliders take off from the vista and sail out over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River
.
Prowl the Sproul -
The Western Clinton's Sportsmen's Association hosts this yearly event, which draws many people of different skill levels. Participation in the events requires registration, and includes kayaking, hiking, a 10k run, biking, or guided hikes.
Nature Observation -
Because the Sproul State Forest is removed from densely populated areas, it is teeming with wildlife of all kinds. Bobcats, Black Bear, Coyotes, and White-Tailed Deer can be seen, and many varied species of migratory birds can be seen nesting here in the spring. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources considers parts of the Sproul State Forest "Important Bird Areas" for these migratory species. In addition to the wildlife, natural succession of forest growth is very clearly visible along PA Route 144 where a recent forest fire swept through some of the plateaus, and waterfalls are a common sight in many of the streams running through the forest.
Renovo, Pennsylvania
Renovo is a borough in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, northwest of Lock Haven. Deposits of bituminous coal and fire clay are in the region. In 1900, 4,082 people lived there, and in 1910, 4,621 lived there...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in Clinton County
Clinton County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,914 people, 14,773 households, and 9,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile . There were 18,166 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The forest is located in western Clinton County and northern Centre County
Centre County, Pennsylvania
Centre County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 153,990....
and contains 280000 acres (113,312.1 ha) of land. Its forests are part of the Allegheny Highlands forests
Allegheny Highlands forests
The Allegheny Highlands forests are a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion of North America.-Setting:The ecoregion consists of four separate blocks of mixed forest surrounded by lower lying areas of hardwood forest as follows: the Northern Allegheny Plateau in New York State and...
ecoregion
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
. It was named for former Pennsylvania governor William C. Sproul (in office from 1919 to 1923).
The first land for what became Sproul State Forest was purchased in 1898. This was also the first land purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for what are now the twenty Pennsylvania State Forests, with over two million acres (810,000 ha) of forest.
History
The Sproul State Forest was named in memory of William C. Sproul, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1919 to 1923. Sproul State Forest was formed as a direct result of the depletion of the forests of Pennsylvania that took place during the mid-to-late 19th century. Conservationists like Dr. Joseph RothrockJoseph Rothrock
Joseph Trimbel Rothrock was an American environmentalist, recognized as the "Father of Forestry" in Pennsylvania. In 1895, Rothrock was appointed the first forestry commissioner to lead the newly formed Division of Forestry in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture...
became concerned that the forests would not regrow if they were not managed properly. Lumber and iron companies had harvested the old-growth forests for various reasons. The clear cut
Clearcutting
Clearcutting, or clearfelling, is a controversial forestry/logging practice in which most or all trees in an area are uniformly cut down. Clearcutting, along with shelterwood and seed tree harvests, is used by foresters to create certain types of forest ecosystems and to promote select species that...
the forests and left behind nothing but dried tree tops and rotting stumps. The sparks of passing steam locomotives ignited wildfire
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
s that prevented the formation of second growth forest
Secondary forest
A secondary forest is a forest or woodland area which has re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow, until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident...
s. The conservationists feared that the forest would never regrow if there was not a change in the philosophy of forest management. They called for the state to purchase land from the lumber and iron companies and the lumber and iron companies were more than willing to sell their land since that had depleted the natural resources of the forests. The changes began to take place in 1895 when Dr. Rothrock was appointed the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, the forerunner of today's Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources , established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 117 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and...
. The Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
passed a piece of legislation in 1897 that authorized the purchase of "unseated lands for forest reservations." This was the beginning of the State Forest system.
Trails
Hiking -- Two hiking trails systems designated as State Forest Trails are located within the Sproul State Forest. The Chuck Keiper Trail is a 50 miles (80.5 km) double looped system which includes trails in the Fish Dam Wild Area and Burns Run Wild Area. The Chuck Keiper Trail is marked with orange paint blazes.The Donut Hole Trail is approximately 90 miles (144.8 km) in length and connects with the Susquehannock Trail System
Susquehannock Trail System
The Susquehannock Trail System is an loop hiking trail in the Susquehannock State Forest in Potter and Clinton counties in northcentral Pennsylvania in the United States. The trail goes through three state parks and passes within of three more state parks...
. The trail traverses Kettle Creek Park and terminates at Hyner Run State Park. The Donut Hole Trail is marked with orange paint blazes.
There are numerous other foot trails which were originally built for fire access which provide good hiking into most parts of the Sproul State Forest. These trails are not marked or maintained. When hiking in the Sproul State forest persons should dress for the weather and use map and compass
Equestrian Use -- An Equestrian Trail located near Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park
Kettle Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Leidy Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is in a valley and is surrounded by mountains and wilderness. It features the Alvin R. Bush Dam built in 1961 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control...
is a 15 miles (24.1 km) loop. The Eagleton Mine Camp Trail, a multi-use trail, offers a 20 miles (32.2 km) loop through several historical locations in the area. Additionally with the exception of designated hiking trails and municipal watersheds, horseback riders may utilized the old woods roads and State Forest Road system. Trail maps are available by contacting the Sproul district office.
Mountain Biking -- All trails within the Sproul State Forest are open to mountain biking, with the exception of the Donut Hole Trail and the Chuck Keiper Trail. Most trails are kept clear over the summer, but some do become overgrown. It is recommended you contact the district office to find out which trails are better for riding. The Eagleton Mine Camp Trail offers excellent biking. Many sections are narrow, steep and rocky. The northern section is not as technical as the southern loop.
Cross-country Skiing -- Hiking Bear Ski Trail is located on Hyner Mountain
Hyner Run State Park
Hyner Run State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is east of Renovo and 3 miles north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120...
and traverses 14 miles (22.5 km). The trail covers diverse terrain providing opportunities for both novice and experienced skiers.
Snowmobiling -- Snowmobile Trails are available for use when snow conditions permit. The Hyner Mountain Trail
Hyner View State Park
Hyner View State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is east of Renovo and north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120...
system is marked and groomed. Also, many State Forest Roads are open for joint use of snowmobiles and licensed motorized vehicles.
All Terrain Vehicles -- There is one area in the Sproul State Forest open to All Terrain Vehicles use. The area is located near the Huling Branch of Two Mile Run and consists of old woods roads, old coal mining roads, and unreclaimed surface mining areas. All the rest of Sproul State Forest is closed to All Terrain Vehicle use.
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing -There are over 400 miles (643.7 km) of freestone cold water streams within the Sproul State Forest. Included in this total are 12 streams where water quality and native trout populations are such that these streams are classified as Wilderness Trout Streams.
Hunting -
Black bear, whitetail dear, and wild turkey habitat is abundant, and these species are found in good numbers throughout the Sproul State forest.
Other Recreation
Hang Gliding -Hyner View State Park
Hyner View State Park
Hyner View State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is east of Renovo and north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120...
offers seasonal hang gliding opportunities for recreation. Hang gliders take off from the vista and sail out over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
.
Prowl the Sproul -
The Western Clinton's Sportsmen's Association hosts this yearly event, which draws many people of different skill levels. Participation in the events requires registration, and includes kayaking, hiking, a 10k run, biking, or guided hikes.
Nature Observation -
Because the Sproul State Forest is removed from densely populated areas, it is teeming with wildlife of all kinds. Bobcats, Black Bear, Coyotes, and White-Tailed Deer can be seen, and many varied species of migratory birds can be seen nesting here in the spring. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources considers parts of the Sproul State Forest "Important Bird Areas" for these migratory species. In addition to the wildlife, natural succession of forest growth is very clearly visible along PA Route 144 where a recent forest fire swept through some of the plateaus, and waterfalls are a common sight in many of the streams running through the forest.
Neighboring state forest districts
- Susquehannock State ForestSusquehannock State ForestSusquehannock State Forest is a Pennsylvania state forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #15. The main office is located in Coudersport in Potter County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
to the north - Tiadaghton State ForestTiadaghton State ForestTiadaghton State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #12. The forest is chiefly in western and southern Lycoming County, with small portions in Clinton, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties....
to the east - Bald Eagle State ForestBald Eagle State ForestBald Eagle State Forest is a Pennsylvania state forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #7. The main office is located in Laurelton in Union County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The forest is found in Centre, Clinton, Mifflin, Snyder, and Union Counties...
to the southeast - Rothrock State ForestRothrock State ForestRothrock State Forest is a Pennsylvania state forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #5. The main offices are located in Huntingdon in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
to the south - Moshannon State ForestMoshannon State ForestMoshannon State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #9. The main offices are located in the unincorporated village of Penfield in Huston Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania in the United States....
to the southwest - Elk State ForestElk State ForestElk State Forest is a Pennsylvania State Forest in Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District #13. The main offices are located in Emporium in Cameron County , Pennsylvania in the United States....
to the west
Nearby state parks
- Bucktail State Park Natural AreaBucktail State Park Natural AreaBucktail State Park Natural Area is a Pennsylvania state park in Cameron and Clinton Counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. The park follows Pennsylvania Route 120 for between Emporium and Lock Haven...
- Kettle Creek State ParkKettle Creek State ParkKettle Creek State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Leidy Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is in a valley and is surrounded by mountains and wilderness. It features the Alvin R. Bush Dam built in 1961 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control...
- Hyner Run State ParkHyner Run State ParkHyner Run State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is east of Renovo and 3 miles north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120...
- Hyner View State ParkHyner View State ParkHyner View State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Chapman Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is east of Renovo and north of Hyner on Pennsylvania Route 120...
- Bald Eagle State ParkBald Eagle State ParkBald Eagle State Park is a Pennsylvania state park in Howard, Liberty, and Marion townships in Centre County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park includes the Joseph Foster Sayers Reservoir, formed by damming Bald Eagle Creek and other smaller streams and covering . Bald Eagle State Park...