More Autumn Elk Watching in Pennsylvania

Perhaps the nicest and most exciting drama in nature is seeing the Pennsylvania's Elk Herd during their rut. Watching the groups of elk graze, and the bulls fight over mates, is extremely exciting and exhilarating. The scenery in the area alone is worth a trip though, especially in autumn. The beauty of the outdoors is on full display in this region, and seeing the grazing elk is a wonderful plus to that. 

We started with a stop at the Marion Brooks Reserve in the Moshannon State Forest and the Quehanna Wild Area. It is home to a spectacular stand of white birches, one of the most noted groves in this region of the country. They are neat to see in any season, but we missed the color this year on them, since they change and drop earlier than most of the tree species in Pennsylvania. 

The Bennett Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek could easily be classified as a small river. The scenery along it is spectacular, and is even better when you see elk within the creek, like we did last year. 

Now we head over towards Benezette and the Winslow Hill Area. 

A group of elk. These creatures are majestic and stunning to see. The best time to see the most of them is as sunset begins to approach and at dusk. They get more active, and during the rut you will see different groups of them start to clash, with the bull elk charging each other and locking antlers, with the relentless and unmistakeable sounds of bugling and clashing antlers. It is truly exhilarating to experience.  

It is mesmerizing watching their graceful moves as they graze.

Our next stop takes us up to the Elk Country Visitor's Center, where they have a interpretive center museum covering the species of the region and the history of Pennsylvania's elk herd. We had a nice lunch of beef brisket and fries from the Benezette Hotel's food wagon, which has high quality and affordable food. 

Some elk were in the woods at the center.

Spectacular views like this one can be seen from the property at the Elk Country Visitor Center, which sits atop a hill. You do not always see elk at the center, but it is worth a stop to learn more about the species. On our first visit to the center, about 6 years ago, the fields surrounding the center were covered with a huge herd of elk. On this visit, we saw about 10 of them scattered about in the woods at the visitor center. Within a 10 mile radius or so, we easily saw hundreds of elk.  

Some early color

The maples approaching full color.

Brit took these shots on my camera at the visitor center. 

I love the detail on the tree in this shot.

This view was taken just beyond Winslow Hill at the Woodring Farm Area. This is property was recently made public for elk viewing and it offers an excellent little hike into elk grazing areas. Two young bulls were resting in the field, surely getting their energy up for their fighting later.

We did not see any elk at the Dent's Run Overlook on this visit, but the views alone are worth checking out.

A little further down the road

There were no elk at the Hick's Run Viewing area, but this view of the Sinnemehoning Creek Valley was more than worth a stop.

Now we head to the other side of the creek from Benezette. In recent years they have added new areas for elk viewing, and this year they added a new parking area that is not intrusive and allows for more access. We saw at least 50 or more elk in this spot on this particular trip. This was also the most fruitful spot on our last few visits, including on our last visit in the winter, and our last fall visit. 

A bull in the middle of a bugle call.

Several elk relaxing and eating.

While the bulls bugle and prepare to fight other approaching bulls.

As I look at these photos, I am reminded of the plethora of sounds and the feeling of dew settling and crisp autumn air. 

Two groups of elk meeting up. The approaching elk were in the midst of running.

The only two elk that were aggressive at this point were these two bulls, which were locking antlers.

Hmmmm...What will happen next?

More bulls locking antlers. 

And a closing view at sunset of the Bennett Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek. There is something truly magical about this region and we highly recommend checking it out. The best time to see elk is in the hours approaching sunset, and into dusk.

Weatherly, PA's Mrs. C. M. Schwab School Building

Today we visit the Mrs. CM Schwab School, a beautiful and historic school building from 1901. It was built as a gift from wealthy steel executive Charles M. Schwab to his wife's childhood hometown of Weatherly, PA. 

The building's status has been in limbo since it was closed in the 90s and fell into private ownership. It was acquired by members of the Weatherly community in 2017 and is said to be in the midst of a renovation project. 

When we visited the building and its stunning clock/bell tower, it was covered with at least forty turkey vultures.

Charles M. Schwab worked his way up the executive chain to become president of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Steel. He then set the stage for the company to be purchased and transformed into US Steel. Following clashes with management, he left the company to organize the struggling Bethlehem Steel Company, which he had left out of the purchase and merger that formed US Steel. Schwab purchased Bethlehem Steel, and soon sold it to JP Morgan. Eventually, drama within the industry and friction between him, Carnegie, and the other executives at US Steel led him to becoming president at Bethlehem Steel. His efforts turned it into the second largest steel producer in the world.

While he was still with US Steel, he gifted the Mrs. CM Schwab School to his wife's childhood hometown of Weatherly on their 18th anniversary. On the occasion of their 18th wedding anniversary, they stopped in the borough with their private railcar and offered them a gift of their choice. The borough assembled a meeting and decided upon the creation of a new high school.

The building was closed in 1991 and has fallen into disrepair. An effort is in place to restore it, thanks to an ambitious community effort. The staggering amount of turkey vultures sitting upon the building, and its stunning architecture captured our attention. This borough has lots of other nice architecture, industrial, and Lehigh Valley Railroad remnants that are very nice. 

Did I say that the vultures were really something else? I never saw them congregate on a building like this. 

If you are in the Weatherly area, be sure to check out this beautiful old building.

Wharton Furnace: Nicely Restored Iron Furnace in Fayette County

Today our explorations take us to the historic Wharton Iron Furnace, one of the nicest restoration projects I have seen with a 19th century iron furnace. This furnace's dates of operation show it running from 1839-1873, with it running regularly from 1839-1850. It was reopened during the Civil War to produce cannonballs. It is 33 feet wide, 31 feet deep, and 31 feet tall. It is located in what is now a part of Forbes State Forest, and is worthy of a side stop en route to the area's attractions, including Ohiopyle and Fallingwater, which are about a twenty minute drive away. 

The furnace, and the community effort to restore it, is extremely impressive. These old furnaces, if anything remains of them, are often piles of rocks or small foundations that have been overwhelmed with undergrowth. Some largely undisturbed, and intact, gems remain, such as Venango County's Rockland Furnace though that one is an outlier. 150 years in the elements of Pennsylvania with no maintenance will lead to almost anything crumbling away.

This charcoal furnace was built by Congressman Andrew Stewart.

Other remnants from the furnaces more booming days can be found throughout, including these remnants from the adjacent creek. 

This photo shows the furnace from 1932 or earlier. I sourced it from the awesome Coal and Coke/Old Industry of Southwestern Pennsylvania page, which is one of my favorite blogs in regards to old industry in Western Pennsylvania. 

One of the last ingots made in this furnace.

If you are in Fayette County, we highly recommend stopping and checking out this neatly restored former iron furnace.