Hopewell Big Woods Southeast PA Trails, Jan 1, 2023

[John Morrow]

Hopewell Big Woods is an initiative to conserve 15,000 acres of unbroken forest in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Within its greater boundary I spent much of my childhood outdoors time camping and fishing here. State Lands (French Creek State Park and State Game Land), National Park Service Lands (Hopewell Furnace NHP), Natural Land Trust holdings, Municipal Forests and conservation easements.
My first stop was Templin Woods Preserve, Upland Loop Trail, a three mile loop in forest type of my childhood.
https://frenchandpickering.org/preserves/templin-woods-preserve/


beech, oak, poplar forest by John Morrow, on Flickr


three different oaks by John Morrow, on Flickr


Another of the preserved areas here is called the Birdsboro Watershed Preserve. many miles of trails, mostly maintained by mountainbikers, form interesting loops here. Too many little trail segments to name but I stitched together a six mile loop hike.


Forest, Birdsboro Waters Preserve by John Morrow, on Flickr


white pine over brook by John Morrow, on Flickr


pines along Indian Run Dam shore by John Morrow, on Flickr


Indian Run Dam by John Morrow, on Flickr


rhodos over riffles by John Morrow, on Flickr


5.9 lead by John Morrow, on Flickr


Trap Rock Trail, Birdsboro Waters by John Morrow, on Flickr


Trap Rock highpoint by John Morrow, on Flickr


Trail Junction, Trap Rock area by John Morrow, on Flickr


Penny Lane Trail descent to Hay Cr. by John Morrow, on Flickr


Hay Creek, Birdsboro Waters by John Morrow, on Flickr

I finished the day driving through and eating a picnic lunch at French Creek State Park. I spent much time here camping and fishing with my father over 40 years ago.
Scotts Run Lake was a favorite ice fishing lake for us making a killing on stocked Eastern Brook trout. Does it even freeze solid enough anymore?


Scotts Run Lake, French Cr. State Pk. by John Morrow, on Flickr