Destination Thursday: Take a hike through Bear Run Nature Reserve

Bear Run Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve owned by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This 5,000-acre tract of wild mountain land lies along the western slope of Laurel Ridge in Fayette County. Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, more than 20-miles of trails are marked and maintained as they meander through stream valleys, over ridges, and along the gorge of the Youghiogheny River. Those visitors who don't have the time and energy to take an all day hike can still discover and enjoy Bear Run's beauty via a 1.5-mile hiking loop that begins and ends at the reserve parking area.

Bear Run is a vocal stream. Depending upon water level, you will hear either its roar or gurgle long before you approach the first of Arbutus Trail's four bridges. From the middle of these structures, hikers find unobstructed views of the stream. In a mosaic of calm, dark pools backed by frothy, white riffles, Bear Run flows through a gauntlet of rhododendron. Because of protective forest cover on the land it drains, the stream runs clear. Tumbling over moss-covered rocks, dodging lichen-encrusted boulders, and pouring a smooth, even flow across sandy, leaf-littered terraces, the stream relentlessly follows its carved path of least resistance as it descends to the Youghiogheny River.

To gain a full appreciation of the vantage points offered by the trail's bridges, spend some time looking both up and down Bear Run at each crossing. Track a darting, submerged shadow retreating from an expanding ripple and you might see a brook trout. Watch for movement along the streambank, and you may observe a waterthrush feeding or a black-throated blue warbler (see insert) bathing.

WPC's Wild in the Woods on Saturday, September 13th offers everyone the opportunity to walk these trails with our experienced naturalists. Hikes include:

• Nature Hikes
• An Early Bird Hike
• A Forestry Hike
• A Bear Run Community Hike
• The Poetry Trail Hike and
• Family Hikes

There will also be wild animals, a petting zoo, Keynote Speaker David Crockett (a direct descendant to Davy Crockett), hayrides and the dedication of the restored historic Bear Run Barn. Click here to get more information and register.

Today's photo of Bear Run was taken by WPC Volunteer Dirck Harris. The black-throated blue warbler is courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute.

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