A Hike On The Choke Creek Trail in Pinchot State Forest
I returned to the Thornhurst Tract of Pinchot State Forest in Lackawanna County for the third time this past weekend. This time I decided to hike on the Choke Creek Trail and visit the Choke Creek Falls. Rather then hike down from the Tannery Road trailhead I decided to drive to the trailhead on Phelps Road located at the lower end of the Thornhurst Track of the forest. I enjoyed my slow drive on the well maintained dirt and gravel road that took me through the second growth forest. I did not see another vehicle or person on my three mile drive. 
It was a clear and cool morning with temperatures in the 50’s when I arrived at the parking lot around 6:30 a.m. There were only two other cars at the parking lot. 
I began my hike on the Pinchot/Choke Creek trail which took me through a younger woodland of mainly beech, aspen and maple trees with an occasionally black cherry oak or spruce tree.
There wasn’t much bird or wildlife activity as I hiked on the trail, except for the melodic songs of the hermit thrush. Like on my previous two hikes these birds were heard and seen throughout my 7 mile hike. 
The trail continued up a ridge and crossed over Butler Run on a few boards placed over the creek.
Hay-scented,
bracken and 
interrupted ferns grew along the trail. 
I also saw this pretty crowned-tip coral fungus growing on a log. 
I hiked about a mile on the trail when the wonderful aroma of smoke from a campfire filled the morning air. I had come to the scenic Choke Creek Falls. 
I took in the peaceful sights and sounds of the rushing water. 
There was a pool at the bottom of the falls. Ropes hung over the pool and I am sure used by many hikers who enjoyed swimming in the creek. 
Although I was the only one at the falls I knew there were people nearby from the smoke of the campfire and I confirmed this when I continued my hike and came upon this campsite. Primitive camping is allowed with a permit. 
The trail followed Choke Creek,
through a mixed hardwood conifer forest with many towering spruce trees. 
The late July sun rose over the ridge and warmed the cool morning air. I soon heard and saw some more bird activity including a few eastern towhees making their way along the creek.
The trail took me to a large meadow along the Choke Creek. Here I saw this doe and her fawn.
I stopped along the meadow hoping to see a black bear feeding on the many high bush blueberries growing along the trail and in the meadow. I didn’t see nay bears but,
but I did see a few squirrels and a few birds including this black throated blue warbler, gathering blueberries ,
and feeding them to it’s offspring. 
I also saw this female American redstart,
a few gray catbirds, this one singing in the meadow and 
this one perched in a tree. 
There were also a few swamp sparrows, 
A common yellowthroat, 
a yellow warbler sang in the trees,
and I finally saw one of the many hermit thrushes I was hearing on my hike. I love their song. 
There were also a few downy woodpeckers in the trees. 
I walked along the meadow and came across this ant hill,
and a few pigskin poison earthball fungus. 
Large patches of teaberries could also be found along the trail. 
The meadow ended and the trail took me up a ridge in an older mixed hardwood conifer forest. 
Large pine trees that must have survived the past timbering of the forest were scattered along the trail.
Many portions of the trail were rocky and c9vered in root
s,
but I enjoyed hiking as the morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees. 
The trail followed the Choke Creek up the ridge, occasionally along the creek,
where it appears some folks had once camped. 
The Choke Creek Trail left the Pinchot Trail and continued across the ridge. This was a younger forest of pine, birch and aspen . 
It was once privately owned and old no trespassing signs were posted on old mature oak tress that also survived the timbering operations in the area.
After about a 1/2 mile the Choke Creek Trail intersected with the Butler Run Trail and I followed this trail down the ridge. I was surprised there wasn’t a lot of wild life or bird activity on the trail. I only saw and heard the hermit thrushes singing in the treetops and a few easter towhees. 
The trail continued down the ridge through the woodlands of the younger trees,
but some ancient oaks still could be seen along the trail. 
There were only a few mushrooms growing along the trail. It is late July and this is usually the beginning of the peak mushroom season here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. However, it has been very dry this year and not many mushroom are growing. I did see a few mushrooms including this species of rusulla,
this voluminous milk cap, an edible species, 
and this pretty orange spindle coral mushroom. 
The trail brought me to Butler Run,
and I followed the creek through an old mostly pine, hemlock and spruce woodlands. Here i saw some more folks camping.
And I finally saw and heard some bird activity. I saw a few magnolia warblers, 
a blue headed vireo 
and some cedar waxwings in the trees above the trail. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos of the birds and plants I saw on my seven mile hike. Pinchot State Forest Choke Creek birds/plants July 27 2024. 
It was now past noon as I was finishing my 7 mile hike. I was a little disappointed I didn’t see more wildlife. However there was not a lot of wetlands or a lake on this hike where I usually see birds. . And I didn’t see a bear in the more remote woodlands on the trail. I was hoping I might. But part of the fun isn’t seeing the wildlife, but just searching for it and enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my seven mile hike. Pinchot State Forest Choke Creek July 27 2024. 
And, as I was driving out of the forest I did see a porcupine crossing the road. This was the best photo I was able to take, but at least I saw something a little more exotic. And I am looking forward to more hike in this wonderful State Forest. 
“I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights, the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun, and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey on. I am the beam that holds your house, the board of your table, the bed on which you lie, and the timber that builds your boat. I am the handle of your hoe, the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle, the shell of your coffin. I am the bread of kindness and the floor of beauty. Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer: harm menot”. – First used in the PORTUGUESE FOREST RESERVES more than 1,000 years ago. Now used on nature trails throughout the world.
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