Destination Thursday: Make a Visit to the Cook Forest Cathedral

Walking through the forest once the deciduous trees have dropped their leaves is a different experience than during the growing season: you see further, notice the topography more clearly, witness broader and more frequent vistas, and start to pick out things that remain green like Christmas fern, partridge berry, Rhododendron and conifers.

Cook State Forest State Park is a great place to experience the forest in winter. The park features several sections of old growth forest; the Forest Cathedral Natural Area being among the most spectacular experiences. Here, many of the hemlock and white pine measure more than three feet in diameter and stand 200 feet tall. Many are more than 300 years old. This area is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.

It was not by chance that these old growth forests survived to the present. Through the effort of the Cook Forest Association, formed in the 1920's solely to help protect the old forests along this section of the Clarion River, the Commonwealth was eventually able to purchase more than 6,000 acres from the A. Cook Sons Company for dedication as a state park in 1927. The Cook Forest Association raised $200,000 and the Commonwealth paid $640,000 for this magnificent area.

With 30 miles of trails, great vistas and some of the most extensive old growth forest in the state, Cook Forest State Park is a must for fall and winter outings. For full accessibility information, reservations or additional inquiries about Pennsylvania's State Parks, please call 1-888-PA-PARKS or e-mail : cookforestsp@state.pa.us

Today's photo, taken by WPC staff, shows a view of the Forest Catherdral Natural Area from the trail.

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