For the last 21 years visitors to Watoga State Park have driven by Jack Horner’s Corner as they make their way through the village of Seebert, the gateway to the park and a major trailhead on the Greenbrier River Trail. Longtime visitors have observed the steady growth of the building and parking areas; the old …
Arrowheads at Watoga Background Consider the trails currently existing in Watoga State Park. Some of these are assumed from existing pioneer trails. And those early but historical trails may have been appropriated from trails trod by the ancients. We now call them Native Americans. After all, the terrain forces us to take the path of …
Have you ever ventured out on Monongaseneka Trail here at Watoga State Park? I highly recommend it. The trailhead is located a mere 1/2 mile up the main park entrance road. Just after crossing the newly restored bridge across Isle Lick you will see the parking area on the right, with the start of the …
Ancient Petroglyphs found In Watoga State Park? No, these are the feeding trails of the Emerald Ash Borer. In this case the Emerald Ash Borer is responsible for perpetrating a trick on the human brain, pareidolia. We humans instinctively seek patterns in nearly everything we see. For example, I see an abstract horned creature in …
Watoga State Park has a new distinction. It was made official yesterday when Park Superintendent Jody Spencer received a plaque giving Watoga State Park an Old Growth Forest designation. Dr. Joan Maloof, Director of the Old-Growth Forest Network, made the presentation yesterday at the Ann Bailey Trailhead. Now Watoga is part of the Old Growth …
Read more “Watoga is Now Part of the Old Growth Forest Network”
Some of you generously shared your recollections of riding the trail at Watoga State Park. Others also shared information about who ran the operation and some ideas about its demise. Memories of Horseback Riding at Watoga State Park I am told the riding operation was run by Stuart Horner’s father. Stuart and his wife Kristy …
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Bongo, Daisy and their manservant left their collective tracks in the snow this morning as they ascended the NW section of Honey Bee Trail. The recent winds have dropped many trees and branches on Watoga’s trails but we managed to clear all on this part of Honey Bee Trail save a 14 inch oak lying …
If the Bear Pen Trail is any indication of the current condition of the rest of the trails at Watoga State Park then the trail volunteers are in for a big clean-up task. Cleaning large branches and trees off the section of the trail from the trailhead to just the junction of Buck and Doe …
Read more “Watoga Trail Report March 4, 2018: Family Reunion Central”
This is a follow-up to our recent discussion about the loss of the American Chestnut to a blight. Therefore, I would like to address efforts to restore this majestic tree to our forest. The return of the American Chestnut. The American Chestnut Foundation and the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project have made great strides …
This is the scene this morning at Mile Marker 44 on the Greenbrier River Trail. Two rockslides have partially blocked the trail. Caution should be exercised when passing this section of trail, particularly when raining. There are some huge rocks on the slope that are hanging on by a thread; it is a contest now …