Hickory Creek Wilderness

The Hickory Creek Wilderness is a 8,663-acre (35.1 km2) wilderness area located on the Bradford Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania.[1] It is one of only two designated wilderness areas in the forest and was created in October 1984.

For other places known as Hickory Creek, see Hickory Creek.
Hickory Creek Wilderness
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
LocationWarren County, Pennsylvania, USA
Coordinates41°40′29″N 079°17′29″W
Area8,663 acres (35.1 km2)
Established1984
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service

Topography

Elevation in Hickory Creek Wilderness ranges from 1,273 feet (388 m) where East Hickory Creek exits the wilderness to a plateau at 1,900 feet (580 m). The gentle to moderate terrain is drained by East Hickory Creek and Middle Hickory Creek.[1][2]

Flora and fauna

Hickory Creek Wilderness is primarily characterized by black cherry and beech, with scattered hemlock and clumps of oak, maple and birch, with an understory of abundant flowers, ferns, shrubs, and mosses. Large white pine can be found scattered in open areas.[1][2]

American black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, barred owl, and pileated woodpecker are common in the Wilderness. Small native brook trout can be found in both East Hickory and Middle Hickory Creeks.[2]

Hiking Trails

The Hickory Creek Wilderness contains one official, but primitive hiking trail, a 12.1 mile (19.5 kilometer)loop with an entrance trail of approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 milometers) which leaves the Heart's Content Road (State Route 2002) about a quarter mile north of the campground. The Forest Service has decided to do minimal maintenance on the trail to "preserve wilderness character". meaning that its infrequent blazes have been allowed to fade and that blowdown is common.[3] Additionally, unblazed trails, largely old railroad grades, can be found along the scenic Middle and East Forks of Hickory Creek, though a 1985 tornado has made some sections impassable.[4]

See also

References
  1. Hickory Creek Wilderness - Allegheny National Forest
  2. Hickory Creek Wilderness - Wilderness.net
  3. "Hickory Creek Wilderness--Hiking Trail Brochure", Allegheny National Forest
  4. Bruce Sundquist, Carolyn Yartz and Jack Richardson, Allegheny National Forest Hiking Guide, 4th Edition, p. 101, Allegheny Group, Sierra Club, Pittsburgh, PA, 1999
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