Clearfield County PA Backwoods, Backroads, Backwaters 2012 : Page 6

TAKE A backwoods. backroads. backwaters. AlwaysHiking Walked 50 of the 75 mile loop! Irvin Park Smart Buyers Clothing Outlet 7 6 Cross Roads Restaurant 1 Quehanna Trail 2 Marion Brooks Natural Area 3 GO START Travel time without stops is 5 hours. It is approximately 100 miles when travelled as outlined. Map above is not actual map. 4 Parker Dam State Park 5 Downtown Clearfield indoor seating. After about 4 miles, farm and woodland views provide photo opportunities. 11 Bloody Knox Historical Site and Museum is on the left as you enter Kellytown, and from there Madera is another 6.2 M, with the road winding along Clearfield Creek for much of the way. There are pull-offs at several points. Upon reaching the intersection with SR 53, turn right. (You may wish to take a detour to the left and see the 12 Veterans Memorial and interesting old homes on some of the side streets). Turn left at the intersection of SR 729 S in Glen Hope. Proceed 2.3 M to 13 Ravenwood Manor . For more information about this historic site, call 814-672-3355 Turn right at Ravenwood Manor and travel 0.8 M, where you will see a Christmas tree farm and more panoramic views. At the next main intersection (2.5 M) go straight through. At the next intersection, turn right on Dillon Road. There are plenty of photographs waiting to be taken along this highway. Dillon Road T’s into SR53. Turn right and travel 1 M to Coalport’s Historic District. Turn right at the sign for the 14 Coalport Coal Museum , and then left on Forest Street. The museum will be at the 1 Cross Roads Restaurant and turn left onto SR879 East. Continue through town and make a right onto the Quehanna Highway SR 2004. This highway will wind you through the largest wild area in PA. Hike a portion of the 75 mile long 2 Quehanna Trail . Take photos at the untapped 3 Marion Brooks Natural Area a white birch forest. Come early in the morning or at dusk with hopes to spot an elk at the elk blind. All these outdoor activities and more are all located along the Scenic Quehanna Highway. Make a left onto SR 555 then another left onto SR 255 at SR 153 plan on stopping at 4 Parker Dam State Park and follow River Road enjoying the trials, lake wildlife viewing and bird watching. Turn left onto SR 153 (Front Street) through downtown Clearfield to Second Street and onto SR 879. While in 5 Downtown Clearfield enjoy shopping at sporting goods stores, antique shops, bakeries and the largest gun shop in PA. Travel SR 879 West towards Curwensville. Stop at 6 Smart Buyers Clothing Outlet located in the Target Plaza. The route travels along sections of the West Branch Susquehanna River, with access points to Rails to Trails (4.8 M and 7.6 M). Scenic views and photo opportunities abound along Rails to Trails. Heading back to town turn left at the stop light turn right onto SR 453 south and proceed 1.1 M to 7 Irvin Park . It’s a refreshing break and photo opportunity, seated along the banks of the West Branch. This is a great place to fish and picnic. Continuing south on SR 453, 1/2 M south will be a plaque for Curwensville Dam and a view of 8 Curwensville Lake Recreation Area . Note: This is not the park entrance. Continue another 1.5 M and turn right on Lake Drive to go to the park. CLRA has boating, picnicking, camping, scenic views, and birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Turning left at that intersection will bring you to 9 Bloomington Cemetery , which has many Civil War era headstones. Returning to SR 453, turn right, passing the 10 Hanger 453 a great place to grab a bite to eat with outside and 6 www.VisitClearfieldCounty.org

Take a backwoods. Backroads. Backwaters. Road Trip

START at the 1 Cross Roads Restaurant and turn left onto SR879 East. Continue through town and make a right onto the Quehanna Highway SR 2004. This highway will wind you through the largest wild area in PA. Hike a portion of the 75 mile long 2 Quehanna Trail. Take photos at the untapped 3 Marion Brooks Natural Area a white birch forest. Come early in the morning or at dusk with hopes to spot an elk at the elk blind. All these outdoor activities and more are all located along the Scenic Quehanna Highway. Make a left onto SR 555 then another left onto SR 255 at SR 153 plan on stopping at 4 Parker Dam State Park and follow River Road enjoying the trials, lake wildlife viewing and bird watching. Turn left onto SR 153 (Front Street) through downtown Clearfield to Second Street and onto SR 879. While in 5 Downtown Clearfield enjoy shopping at sporting goods stores, antique shops, bakeries and the largest gun shop in PA. Travel SR 879 West towards Curwensville. Stop at 6 Smart Buyers Clothing Outlet located in the Target Plaza. The route travels along sections of the West Branch Susquehanna River, with access points to Rails to Trails (4.8 M and 7.6 M). Scenic views and photo opportunities abound along Rails to Trails. Heading back to town turn left at the stop light turn right onto SR 453 south and proceed 1.1 M to 7 Irvin Park. It’s a refreshing break and photo opportunity, seated along the banks of the West Branch. This is a great place to fish and picnic. Continuing south on SR 453, 1/2 M south will be a plaque for Curwensville Dam and a view of 8 Curwensville Lake Recreation Area. Note: This is not the park entrance. Continue another 1.5 M and turn right on Lake Drive to go to the park. CLRA has boating, picnicking, camping, scenic views, and birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Turning left at that intersection will bring you to 9 Bloomington Cemetery, which has many Civil War era headstones. Returning to SR 453, turn right, passing the 10 Hanger 453 a great place to grab a bite to eat with outside and indoor seating. After about 4 miles, farm and woodland views provide photo opportunities. 11 Bloody Knox Historical Site and Museum is on the left as you enter Kellytown, and from there Madera is another 6.2 M, with the road winding along Clearfield Creek for much of the way. There are pull-offs at several points. Upon reaching the intersection with SR 53, turn right. (You may wish to take a detour to the left and see the 12 Veterans Memorial and interesting old homes on some of the side streets). Turn left at the intersection of SR 729 S in Glen Hope. Proceed 2.3 M to 13 Ravenwood Manor. For more information about this historic site, call 814-672-3355 Turn right at Ravenwood Manor and travel 0. 8 M, where you will see a Christmas tree farm and more panoramic views. At the next main intersection (2.5 M) go straight through. At the next intersection, turn right on Dillon Road. There are plenty of photographs waiting to be taken along this highway. Dillon Road T’s into SR53. Turn right and travel 1 M to Coalport’s Historic District. Turn right at the sign for the 14 Coalport Coal Museum, and then left on Forest Street. The museum will be On the right. Continue on Forest Street. It will jut right and then left, until you come to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. Go straight through (you are again on SR 53N). After you pass Regal Mart and Clearfield Creek, you will be in Irvona. Turn left at the stop sign onto Rose St. Go 1.7 M and turn left on Black Elk Road. Gertie’s General Store will be at the intersection of Black Elk and Punkin Ridge Roads (3 M). Turn right. Some long-distance scenic views can be seen to your right just after Rabbit Hill. Travel one more mile and you will be entering some of the most beautiful woodlands in Appalachia. Reaching LaJose Road, turn left, then right at Cecil Hurd Highway (0. 3 M). The historic 15 LaJose Hotel will be on your left. Continue to Mahaffey (3.3M) Turn right at the intersection of US 36 and US 219 N. Wendell’s will be on your left (.8M). There is a pull-off 0.3 M ahead with a view of the 16 West Branch Susquehanna River. Mahaffey Camp and more spectacular river views are another 0.6 M ahead. Camping is available at 17 Chest Falls Campground (1.7 M). Continue on 219 N to Curry Run and Bells Landing (3.1M). Continue towards Grampian. Go straight at the Grampian light on SR 879E. 18 Aletta’s Farm Market will be on the left (3.4M). Curwensville is less than 1 M ahead. At the first light, those enjoying wineries may turn left on Filbert Street and go to Bailey Road. Turn right to 19 Starr Hill Winery; 1.1 M from the turn. For Winery info call 814-236-0910. Once back in downtown Curwensville, follow SR 879 E back to Clearfield. Exit 879 at 322 and turn left 322 E Bigler Avenue. At the next light turn left onto Cemetery Road to 20 Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub, known worldwide as the home of the largest burger. (814-765- 7190) Take879 E towards karthaus and arrive at I-80.

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