Riding in Pennsylvania’s Magnificent Forests

Surrounded by Trees

Every rider finds themselves blessed (or cursed) by where they live. Long ago I knew living in the middle of the vast forest lands of central Pennsylvania was a gift.

In 1681, when King Charles II gave a nearly 29-million-acre expanse of old-growth trees to William Penn, clearing a Royal debt and ridding the Crown of a troublesome Quaker religious movement by sending them across the Atlantic, I’m enjoying the benefits of that deal today.

Nearly 60 percent of Pennsylvania is still forested and provides a seemingly endless supply of dirt and gravel roads to explore. And for me, they begin just two miles from my front door. For my friend Paul and I, those roads are always beckoning.

Ride, Repeat, Ride Again

We have repeated this start many times since acquiring our Honda Trail 125s. The routes available for heavy dirt and gravel riding here are many and varied. From the easy gravel roads to the gnarly Expert sections of the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route which passes here. We’ve tried them all and are happy to repeat the explorations. There’s always something new to see and experience.

This ride would take us through familiar territory entering Rothrock State Forest just two miles from Paul’s driveway. Being so close to a maze of dirt and gravel roads and paths is a gift I embrace with gratitude often. I know many don’t have such easy access to places that recharge the soul.

Bear Meadows Natural Area

My first visit to Bear Meadows was in the late winter of 1974. A woman I was dating, a serious hiker and backpacker, brought me here to to enjoy one of the local natural areas that she visited often. It was a cold, bright day without a breath of wind. The temperature was hovering just above zero as we started across the ice covered bog. A hundred yards out I fell through the ice. Thankfully, the water was only waist deep and she helped me out and I remember how fast my pants froze. The end of our hike I thought but she had other plans coaxing me on to keep walking and assuring me I would be fine. I think back on that day and why I kept walking. My ego was in a different configuration back then.

Paul and I always stop here to look around and make photographs. There’s something intriguing about the place that is hard to pin down. It’s more than the scenery and wildlife encountered. There’s an energy to the place that makes me feel alive. I’ve encountered a few places like that but Bear Meadows is definitely the most conveniently located.

A perfect destination for the Honda Trail 125 motorcycles when riding in Pennsylvania’s magnificent forests.

The Road Less Traveled

The most attractive aspect of these forest rides is the emptiness of the landscape in terms of people and vehicles. I’ve watched so many videos of Yosemite and Yellowstone that I’m left wondering why people visit when there’s so much traffic. Or Edward Abbey bemoaning the terrible decisions to pave the roads in Natural Parks, one of the last barriers to allowing access to the lazy parts of humanity. I realize even those places grow empty during the seasons with less attractive weather but I am grateful at how little human intrusions exist even in the best weather. In fact, the busiest times here are during deer seasons when thousands of hunters visit in hopes of filling their freezers with venison.

I enjoy taking these roads less traveled.

Sacred Spaces

Riding in Pennsylvania’s magnificent forests is like going to church. The quiet energy, the solitude, the simple act of walking along a stream among the trees leaves me feeling in touch with God. The Infinite. A spiritual place that gives me peace. I ride my scooters and motorcycles for a lot of reasons. This is one of them.

In James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales, Natty Bumppo (also known as Hawkeye, Deerslayer, or Pathfinder) views his connection with God as something deeply tied to the natural world. He famously treats the undisturbed forest not just as a wilderness, but as “God’s Wilderness”—a vast, living temple.

Britannica

From the first time reading “The Deerslayer” almost 50 years ago the idea God being tied to the natural world resonated with me. As a photographer, hiker, and later as someone who rides through these places. I’m blessed to live so close to these forest cathedrals. Grateful that so many made sure to preserve them. Of the original 29 million acres that comprised Pennsylvania at its founding over 16 million acres of land are still forested. A mix of private, state, and federal forest lands.

If you have the time, inclination, or opportunity to ride in Pennsylvania’s magnificent forests, I heartily give my unconditional endorsement. Perhaps we’ll cross paths one day.