Hiking with Elk: Quehanna Trip Report

“This weekend I went on a solo trip on a section of the Quehanna trail. By using blue-blazed side trails and the QT, I made a 26 mile loop. I had initially asked if anyone wanted to join, but I was glad to get a solo trip in.

I began at the Wykoff Run Natural Area and hiked towards Big Spring Draft. Along the way, I head distinct steps and a "snap". Thinking it was a deer, I looked up to notice a massive creature with a deep brown hide through the trees. My heart jumped, the thing was huge!! I looked closer to realize it was full-grown female elk!!! For this first-time observer, I never seen a wild animal so big; it made deer look like poodles. The elk snorted and faced me, I was scared for a second. Thinking I wasn't a threat, it sauntered off into the woods. I walked on, to see two more adult elk with two babies!!!! I was stunned! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. They stopped and looked at me, and ran off together. Considering how huge they are, I was amazed how nimbly they can run through the forest. This was one of the most amazing wildlife encounters i've ever had; the rest of the trip could've been through a garbage dump, and it wouldn't matter- this trip was epic.

I descended to Big Spring Draft, an awesome place with a hemlock and rhododendron jungle. I filled my water bottles at Big Spring and continued on. The trail as several vistas, but the weather was cloudy. It rained for 15 minutes, but that was it. I camped at an awesome site with a stone table along Twelvemile Creek. Nearby is beautiful Mosquito Creek and the remains of Corporation Dam, an old logging dam that the creek has severed and eroded down through the sediment, creating a surreal environment.

On Sunday morning, it was cool with fog. I did a balancing act along a downed tree across Mosquito Creek and climbed up to the rim above Mosquito Creek gorge. The fog broke and it became a brilliant day with many nice views over Mosquito Creek and Gifford Run gorges. There were numerous hawks who were screeching constantly.

I went on the cross-connector and came across two hunters, who were scouting, they said they just saw a bear. I hoped to see one, but didn't.

I followed the blue-blazed trails back to my car. The forest along the Day Lewis Trail is beautiful with big, mature hardwoods with an understory of spruce. I was exhausted, but it was an awesome trip.

The QT is a great trail system. It has numerous beautiful streams, tons of wildlife, wilderness, some nice vistas, and isolation. On my entire trip, I passed just one other backpacker.”

“It's humbling to see something that big out in the woods isn't it? Last summer (doesn't seem right to be saying "last" summer so soon) I saw a Moose on the Superior Hiking Trail and felt the same way. It made me think of Jurassic Park. Solo hiking is the way to go.”

“Great weather for a backpack this weekend, nice report jmitch!

Baby Elk - Kewl!!! Get any pics?”

“Nice report, jmitch. I have the map for that trail system. I'll get out there one of these days. It's not too far away...”

“Nice report! Rained again, huh. At least it wasn't the deluge we received last time.”

“sounds like you had a great weekend trip.

"it made deer look like poodles"--i love that analogy.”

“Nice trip report and so cool you saw some elk. So many hikers go there with the hopes of seeing them and never do. I never even saw an elk track out there for the several times I've been out there. I saw your trip invite post earlier in the week and I'm kicking myself now for not going on this trip.”

“i guess the elks range is expanding southward. i read in a trail register that another hiker saw them near big spring draft.”

“That's just too cool. We don't get elk in Alabama, at least not yet.”

“That's so cool -- I've never seen an elk before...”

“That's awesome! Congrats on the sighting.”

“totally awesome sighting. I'm in PA now and hopefully will be set up soon. I want to get some good PA hikes in this winter.”

“That's awesome Mitch! (now if somebody would just buy this guy a camera)

btw - how were the conditions from Ivan's aftermath?”

“lol, jmitch goes on great trips and never has a camera. I have an old digi I don't use anymore.”

“conditions were fine- the bridge was out over mosquito creek, but it was possible to cross over a downed tree. some blowdowns near the reservoir. the trail was in pretty good shape.”