Sproul State Forest — Attraction in Noyes Township

The Sproul State Forest was named in memory of William C. Sproul, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1919 to 1923. Sproul State Forest was formed as a direct result of the depletion of the forests of Pennsylvania that took place during the mid-to-late 19th century. Conservationists like Dr. Joseph Rothrock became concerned that the forests would not regrow if they were not managed properly. Lumber and iron companies had harvested the old-growth forests for various reasons. They clear cut the forests and left behind nothing but dried tree tops and rotting stumps. The sparks of passing steam locomotives ignited wildfires that prevented the formation of second growth forests. The conservationists feared that the forest would never regrow if there was not a change in the philosophy of forest management. They called for the state to purchase land from the lumber and iron companies and the lumber and iron companies were more than willing to sell their land since that had depleted the natural resources of the forests. The changes began to take place in 1895 when Dr. Rothrock was appointed the first commissioner of the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters, the forerunner of today's Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a piece of legislation in 1897 that authorized the purchase of "unseated lands for forest reservations." This was the beginning of the State...

Stayed at Stony Lodge and fished Kettle Creek with Yates E. Bunda - who had never seen the water so high. He's only been fishing the area for 50 years though. We managed to hook a fare number of trout despite the high water. On the first day we were caught in a thunderstorm, and none of us had ever been caught in conditions as severe. Afterwards we found out that the storm dropped a tornado near Renovo, and we suspect that the whirlwind was forming as it passed over us. Lot's of good places to wet your line and good people to talk to in the Cross Forks area. You need to...

What can I say, beautiful forest with lovely hikes and off the beaten path drives. Best time of year is in the spring/early summer when wild mountain laurel is in bloom. Or mid summer when the wild blueberries are ripe, or fall for the amazing leaves changing and tea berries are most juicy....pretty much everything except winter (which I am sure is lovely too, just not my...