Vistas of the Square Timber Wild Area- Elk State Forest

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The Square Timber Wild Area is a rugged place with deep, forested gorges and narrow ridges.  It is ideal for the experienced hiker looking for somewhere new to explore.  The trails are blazed yellow, with the exception of the orange blazed Bucktail Path.  You can expect the yellow trails to be in variable condition; they can be brushy and unestablished in places.  However, compared to my prior visits, the trails seemed to be more established.  Also expect several stream crossings.

Highlights include isolation, pine and hemlock forests, deep gorges, and beautiful streamside hiking when the creeks are flowing.  There are also some off trail vistas that you should check out, particularly the North Square Timber Vista and its vast panorama.  I suggest the lollipop loop as shown in the map above; I did not hike this entire loop for this post, but have done so in the past and enjoyed it.  Here is a link to a prior trip.

From the parking area, located at 41.381404, -78.158443, hike the trail up Big Run into a gorge.  Enjoy the hike along the creek and soon hemlocks and pine rise over the water.  The manmade sounds soon fade away as you hike deeper into the gorge.  Reach the juncture with a yellow trail to the right, which goes up the Right Fork of Big Run. Follow it as the trail climbs another gorge with a small, cascading stream.  Expect this trail to be in tougher shape.  At the top, turn left onto the Bucktail Path.  Climb to a meadow with some nice views, as well as a view from what appears to be an old quarry.  Hike along a meadow, return to the woods, and descend to a juncture with the yellow Square Timber Trail.  Turn left onto this trail.

Hike along the rolling ridge as the trail climbs and descends the knobs along the ridgeline.  In places the ridge is narrow and you can see off both sides when there are no leaves on the trees.  The trail does go through laurel, making this a nice section when it blooms in late June.  To see Middle Square Timber Vista, you must go off trail, but it is not worth the effort.  Reach a juncture with the yellow Big Run Trail.  Here, go off trail and head north for a half mile or so.  The hiking is easy and the woods are open.  Reach the edge of the ridge to see North Square Timber Vista, a stunning panorama of about 180 degrees.  This is a great view for sunsets and is located at 41.430166, -78.141529.  Return the way you came.

Descend the Big Run Trail, which is pretty steep.  The trail moderates into a beautiful, narrow wooded gorge along a babbling creek with riffles and pools.  The serenity and isolation are a rare treat in our modern world.  Complete the loop and retrace your steps down Big Run back to the car.

To see South Square Timber Vista, it is best to drive up Grove Hill Road to a pull off at 41.392208, -78.135036.  This is an off trail hike.  Go up a drainage, reach the ridge, turn left and then descend to the view at  41.394490, -78.140143.  It is a fine view of the gorges, ridges, and small peaks in the wild area.

For the map above, red is off trail.  

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South Squaretimber Vista, Squaretimber Wild Area. An off trail vista overlooking the deep, narrow wooded gorges of this wild area. The narrow wooded ridgelines are a joy to hike as well. No man-made sounds, no development, just wilderness. I could hear turkeys far below, songbirds, crows, and a breeze flowing through the canyons.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Oct 31, 2020 at 8:56am PDT

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North Squaretimber Vista. Incredible view, about 180 degrees. Varied terrain with a ridge and gorge nearby that opens up into panorama looking west with deep valleys and ridges. The white birch and hemlock at the vista make it that much more beautiful. Easy bushwhack, absolutely worth it. Love the Squaretimber Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Oct 31, 2020 at 11:48am PDT

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North Squaretimber Vista. Squaretimber Wild Area. Can see for about 20 or 30 miles. So many hidden views in the PA Wilds. This is one of the best.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Oct 31, 2020 at 11:50am PDT

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South Squaretimber Vista with its many ridges and gorges. Second photo and last video are "middle" Squaretimber vista, it was nice but not quite worth the effort. Sometimes exploring doesn't work out they way you hope.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Nov 1, 2020 at 6:13am PST

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North Squaretimber Vista, Squaretimber Wild Area. Must be amazing for sunsets.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Nov 1, 2020 at 6:22am PST

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North Squaretimber Vista, Squaretimber Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Nov 1, 2020 at 6:27am PST

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North Squaretimber Vista, Squaretimber Wild Area.

A post shared by Jeff Mitchell-Outdoors Author (@hiking_mitch) on Nov 1, 2020 at 7:14am PST