COOKSBURG, Pa. (EYT) — With autumn fast approaching, Cook Forest State Park has announced its schedule of programs.
Friday, September 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Clarion River Boating Program: Gravel Lick-Mill Creek
Cook Forest State Park will conduct an 8.5-mile interpretive historical canoe and kayak program on the National Wild and Scenic Clarion River from Gravel Lick to Mill Creek for experienced canoeists/kayakers only. This section of river is rich in local history and wildlife, one of the most picturesque sections of the Clarion, and truly a wilderness experience.
Porters Landing, Maxwell Run, State Road Ripple and Blyson Run will be just a few topics of interest along the float.
Fishing is excellent here, so don’t forget your fishing poles!
Eagles and ospreys have been known to make an appearance.
We will meet promptly at the Park Office and car-pool to the starting point.
Remember to bring protective footwear, raingear, and change of clothes. The cost is $50.00/boat with check or money order made out to ‘Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’.
Lunch will be provided to those who register by August 30 by calling the Park Office at 814-744-8407.
Prior Cook Forest kayak training participants receive a 50 percent discount.
Space is limited, so please reserve early.
Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m.
Fire Tower Historical Tour
Please bring your binoculars to the Fire Tower for a historical tour of Fire Tower #9 conducted by park volunteers, Kelley & Al Bilotto.
Take a breathtaking view from the box at the very top of the Fire Tower and learn how it operated.
The tower will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Fire Tower Historical Tour
The tower will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral by Candlelight
Walk into the depths of the Forest Cathedral by candlelight. Hike led, sponsored, and refreshments provided by Kalyumet Campground at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom. Bring a flashlight. (1.5hrs)
Sunday, October 1 at 9:00 a.m.
A Walk in Penn’s Woods
Join Dave Cole, DCNR service forester, and Stacy Wolbert, PGC wildlife diversity biologist, for a hike in the woods. We will meet at the Log Cabin Environmental Learning Classroom and hike the Liggett Trail and Toms Run Road.
This flat trail starts at Forest Road across from the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Center, travels up Toms Run, then circles back down to Toms Run Road, ending where it started for a 2.2-mile round trip.
This trail makes a great birding hike and is suitable for all ages. After completing this walk, those interested will follow us up the road to the Sawmill Center for the Arts and hike the Black Bear Trail.
This flat, loop trail starts and ends at the Sawmill Center for the Arts.
Look for bear claw marks on American beech trees. (3 hours)
Saturday, October 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Acorn History, Harvesting and Preparation
Throughout history, acorns have been consumed by humans living on at least four different continents.
Once considered the “staff of life” in indigenous cultures, the acorn is generally considered inedible in its raw form, though with proper processing, its gifts are made manifest.
This typically involves some variation of drying, shelling, grinding, leaching and cooking.
Join Adam Haritan from LearnYourLand.com and learn how to properly gather and process acorns from start to finish. Participants will learn oak tree identification, acorn gathering tips (how to separate the good from the bad), differences between red and white oak groups (important for processing), several leaching methods, drying and storing methods, nutritional benefits, and more! (2 hours)
Saturday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m.
Fire Tower Historical Tour
Please bring your binoculars to the Fire Tower for a historical tour of Fire Tower #9 conducted by park volunteers, Kelley and Al Bilotto.
The tower will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 a.m.
Woodsy Owl Workday
Have you been looking for a way to get involved with Cook Forest State Park?
Please consider joining us for the day to help maintain the park through various work projects.
Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear will be here to help also.
Work projects may include invasive species removal, trail maintenance, litter pickup, painting, wood stacking, etc.
Free camping Friday and/or Saturday nights will be available for volunteers, with prior notice received by Friday, September 30.
If you are planning to join us for the day, please contact the Park Office at 814-744-8407 at least two weeks in advance so that we can have a volunteer project lined up for you.
Lunch will be provided. (5.5 hours)
Saturday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m.
Fire Tower Historical Tour
The tower will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 31 at 7:00 p.m.
Cathedral by Candlelight
Want to experience something different this year for Halloween instead of the standard “trick-or-treaters”?
Walk back in time with us into the depths of the Forest Cathedral with a historical character from the past. Come view the ancient forest as we walk beneath the giants by candlelight.
Either a French Marine from the 1750s who saw these massive trees 250 years ago or a lumberman from the 1800s will be there to guide us.
Candy and hot chocolate will be served at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom. Bring your flashlights! (2 hours)
