At 48.3 miles it reaches the bottom of the Thousand Steps, a stairway built by hand from nearby rocks by railroad workers in 1936. 0000003910 00000 n Get Directions Visit Website Places nearby within 25 miles Displaying 0 locations See more More adventures in The Alleghenies 0000003476 00000 n Located a mere 0.2 miles to the west of the 1000 Steps, the Dinkey Shed was built in 1938 as a maintenance facility for the dinkey trains that pulled rail cars of ganister from the Ledge Quarry. 0000029413 00000 n Be Proactive. There are also YouTube videos of the hike. If you are on route US22 heading west, you will pass two bridges that cross the Juniata river to the town of Mount Union. However, they actually arent considered to be one of the more aggressive snakes. You will see two I-beam and chain link fence rock barriers, one after the other, along the north side of Route 22 (on the left, traveling east from Huntingdon). 1,000 Steps Hiking Trail US Rte. The snakes move from basking area to basking area in a circular pattern throughout their active season. The last of the 20212 rattlesnake hunts in Pennsylvania will be the 50th annual Cross Fork Snake Hunt Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26, in Cross Fork. Hummingbirds flutter in our yards. Timber rattlesnakes can be found in 50 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Was hoping to get to see snakes, but didn't bump into any wildlife except for a lizard and a very large spider near the building. 0000032081 00000 n There are only two main rattlesnake species in all of Pennsylvania: the Timber Rattlesnake and the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code. Get more stories delivered right to your email. They are considered to be a threatened species, so they definitely arent as seen as Timber Rattlesnakes are. Remain calm and reassure the snakebite victim. Landscapes are thematic regions of the Pennsylvania Wilds, each with their own character and unique, place-specific experiences. You can, but it is certainly more challenging and should be attempted with an abundance of caution. Venomous. As mentioned at the outset, the 1000 Steps portion of the Standing Stone Trail is roughly a half-mile long, with approximately 850 feet of elevation gain covered in that half-mile. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. In the spring, fall, and winter, these rattlesnakes tend to like living in poorly drained, low-lying, open habitats. 2 Types of Rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania(Pictures), 3 Kinds of Garter Snakes in Pennsylvania (Pictures), 12 Types of Rattlesnakes in California (Pictures), Rattlesnakes in Texas (9 Species With Pictures), 3 Species of Rattlesnakes in Florida (With Pictures). Proper shoes are a must. About the Author: Aura has a B.S. Scenic forest vistas can have spectacular views, but they are particularly attractive to basking reptiles. The 1000 Steps along the Standing Stone Trail is one of the most famous hikes in Huntingdon County! There are portions that are steeper than others. After the bridge was replaced, the workers then used the steps to travel from the base of the mountain to the ganister quarries near the top of the mountain. Timber Rattlesnakes have very powerful venom. Your best resource for navigating and obtaining trail maps for the Standing Stone Trail in PA. These patterns can be a dark brown or black color and are often in a series of dark blotches. Went here very early on a Saturday morning. Timber rattlesnakes can be found in 50 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. Damage to basking or denning habitat is illegal. From here you can simply backtrack to the top of the 1000 Steps and then descend the trail to Route 22 where you parked, covering roughly 3 miles of total distance if you hiked to the sites described here in the manner I suggested. After enjoying the view from the vistas and visiting the dinky shed you can retrace your way back down the mountain. Some readers might remember that this parking area was once used as a flea market of sorts, but it is now marked with No Parking Except for Foot Access to Game Lands signs. Pine Creek Valley and The PA Grand Canyon. Let us know in the comments! Avoiding and Treating Snakebites Maintain a 3-foot buffer around a snake to avoid a strike. There are "a thousand" steps but actually more in the entire trail. As the cold winds of winter subside and the first sprouts of spring start to emerge, now is the perfect time to come out of hibernation to delight in PAs many March activities. Slightly Grueling Climb, but satisfying indeed. So that men who worked in the Ledge Quarry at the top of the mountain could get to and from their jobsite every day. Their range also used to include Canada, including southern Ontario and southern Quebec. 0000009116 00000 n For example, their head is broad, flat, and triangular-shaped just like many other North American vipers. Education is essential for the survival of timber rattlesnake populations throughout the commonwealth. Don't miss the abandoned building at the very top. Adults typically reach lengths of 2.5-5 feet (.76-1.5 meters), but there are reports of timber rattlesnakes growing up to 7 feet (2 meters) long. 4:41. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. 0000002304 00000 n The side trips afford additional vistas of valley below, while the fairly level rail line provides a break from the near-constant step-up, step-up routine. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes can bite and inject venom into your body when they feel threatened, just as with any other type of viper or rattlesnake. Be Nice. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. visitPA.comis the official tourism website of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Josh Shapiro, Governor What hotels are near Thousand Steps Trail? 34 RATTLESNAKES AND THE BIGGEST DEN WE EVER FOUND Pittsburgh Boys Go Snake Hunting 2021 Pennsylvania Leatherwood Outdoors 211K subscribers Subscribe 249K views 1 year ago #Pittsburgh #Venomous. This article was originally written for the DCNR Bureau of Forestys Forest Fridays e-newsletter. Follow John and Justin as they explore Venango County for Timber Rattlesnakes during the Pennsylvania Timber Rattlesnake Season. The trail crosses US Route 22 at 46.8 miles then follows an old railroad grade parallel to the highway, entering State Game Lands 112. Is roughly 0.9 miles for the portion of steps only. Timber Rattlesnakes on the South Mountain Brochure (PDF) for more information. Pennsylvania could be home to hundreds of thousands of venomous timber rattlesnakes, and there's a hardcore group of hunters eager to find them. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The guys find. TheStone Mountain Hawk Watchisa scenic overlook in theRothrock State Forestused to monitor the fall hawk migration. To seethe full results of thePennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey, read the full PennLive report here. While they prefer to eat small mammals, as theyre normally easier to hunt, these snakes will also feed off of birds (mainly bobwhites and passerines) and frogs. Threats of harming another Davis was at a private camp near. 0000003317 00000 n Contacting TripAdvisor to correct the first bit of information is impossible thats why I mentioned it here. The highest natural point in PA is Mount Davis, which clocks in just about 900 feet higher. The ganister was crushed and became the major ingredient in the manufacture of the firebrick that lined kilns used in iron, steel and glass making. Will need to stop and rest for those that are not in shape. Welcome! Use the 'Report' link on 0000007544 00000 n and M.S. Remain calm and reassure the snakebite victim. from the Pennsylvania State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. There is a small brown "1000 Steps" sign. One species, the red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) is a Species of Special Concern.Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) is a newly emerging disease in snakes and caused by a fungus, (Ophidiomyces ophidiicola).It may only cause mild infection in many snakes, but is known to cause . Along the way to the Mount Union Overlook, youll pass many excellent views. An old stone quarry, the ruins of a train shed, and some fantastic scenic overlooks. Make sure you're well-prepared for your climb up the 1,000 steps of Jacks Mountain by wearing sturdy and . Think of that as you climb and descend. A brown stripe can also be found on a Timber Rattlesnakes back. the timber rattlesnake seeks solar heat exposure in an open, rocky area to aid digestion of its meal. After that it's go time, lol. Please view the Apparently they used sand from the mountain to make bricks here during the 30's and 40's. 0000044220 00000 n The trailhead is located along the north side of US Route 22, between Mill Creek and Mount Union 3.9 miles east of the traffic light in Mill Creek. 0000001372 00000 n 2022 RATTLESNAKE HUNT SATURDAY, JUNE 11 & SUNDAY, JUNE 12 SINNEMAHONING SPORTSMEN'S CLUB. As one of the 13 original colonies and the headquarters for many key Revolutionary and Civil War events, Pennsylvania is the perfect place to delve into our nations history including the legac However, these specific snakes are actually quite tame and are considered to be incredibly mild-mannered, especially when compared with other rattlesnakes. South of Mount Union, along Route 522, youll find Saint Marys Covered Bridge, the last remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County. Parking is a short walk away from the entrance to the trail. And timber rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania awaken from their hibernation, emerging from their dens all around the state. The hike covers approximately 850 feet of elevation change over the course of 0.5 miles. The views at the top are really nice! specifically for this purpose. Venomous: Yes. Would be difficult for those with any difficulties in walking or young ones. PennLive reports that lacking timber rattlesnakes doesnt mean a county is entirely free of venomous snakes. Habitat: Upland forest with rocky outcroppings, talus slops, rock crevices, rock ledges with vegetation, mature forest with numerous fallen logs, young forest with predominant leaf litter cover. Instead, these rattlesnakes are often shy and wont ever attack unless they feel incredibly threatened. 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