Sept. 10 Bird Identification Meeting at Audubon’s Hawk Watch Lookout

Saturday, September 10, 10:00 A.M. CWOA Bird Identification Meeting at Audubon’s Hawk Watch Lookout at Waggoner’s Gap off PA Route 74, about 6 miles NW of Carlisle, Pa.  

Bird identification is the subject of the September 10, 10:00 A.M. meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association at Audubon’s Hawk Watch Lookout at Waggoner’s Gap off PA Route 74, about 6 miles NW of Carlisle, Pa.   A representative from the Audubon Society will speak on methods for bird identification in the field.  Bring binoculars, a cushion to sit on and warmer clothing than you think you might need.  There is very limited space for chairs of any sort and that space is claimed very early in the day.  We will meet at that location at 10:00 A.M. For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Mike Waldron, 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).  Please be sure and park in the lot that is on the north (Perry County) side of the mountain.

Audubon Pennsylvania’s Hawk Watch Waggoner’s Gap Directions:  http://www.waggap.com/Directions.htm

The Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch can be reached by walking up a rock trail from the parking lot on the north side of the Kittatinny Ridge. The parking lot is off PA Route 74, about 6 miles NW of Carlisle, Pa. 

Directions to the parking lot

Amended directions to Hawk Watch Lookout - Wolf Bridge Rd is closed due to replacement

I have been informed by Chaz Smith that Wolf Bridge Rd is closed due to replacement of the bridge.  Chaz Smith’s recommends the following detour to take off of Rt.11S:  “The detour would take North Middlesex Rd, which is about halfway between the turnpike and 81. It is right across from the Petro truck stop, and there is an Arby's resturaunt on the corner. Go a couple hundred yards on North Middlesex Rd across the Conneduguinnett creek on the bridge, and then take the first left on Clemson Rd. This parallels the creek, and will T into Wolf Bridge Rd, where you would turn right, adn continue on with the other directions.”  At the stop sign at PA Rt.  34. Turn right and go .4 miles to a left turn on PA Rt.  944 W. Go 5 miles to a stop sign at the intersection with Pa Rt.  74. Turn right and go 2 miles up the mountain, being careful on the 90 degree turns. The parking lot is 200 yards beyond the crest on the right.

Here is a link to a map centered on that Arby's, it is easy to see the detour rout here.

https://www.bing.com/mapspreview?&ty=18&q=Arby%27s&ss=ypid.YN749x20690845&ppois=40.2337760925293_-77.1406326293945_Arby%27s_YN749x20690845~&cp=40.233776~-77.140633&v=2&sV=1

From the east: On I-81 S take the Middlesex exit (exit 52)  and turn right on Rt. 11S toward Carlisle. Go through the truckstops to the Carlisle turnpike exchange where we pick up all Pa Turnpike travelers. Continue south on Rt. 11 for 1.5 miles to a traffic light at Wolf Bridge Rd. Turn right. Follow Wolf Bridge Rd 2.5 miles to a stop sign at PA Rt.  34. Turn right and go .4 miles to a left turn on PA Rt.  944 W. Go 5 miles to a stop sign at the intersection with Pa Rt.  74. Turn right and go 2 miles up the mountain, being careful on the 90 degree turns. The parking lot is 200 yards beyond the crest on the right.

Trail to the lookouts

The trail leaves the oval parking lot at the right hand (uphill) side. After approx. 100 yards it splits, but both forks lead to the lookout. The right hand trail is less steep but longer. The lookout is an angled rock pile. Bring a cushion to sit on and warmer clothing than you think you might need. There is very limited space for chairs of any sort and that space is claimed very early in the day. There is a porta-potti in the parking lot. The parking lot is gated and unlocked by the counter for the day. The gate will remain locked over night and during inclement weather when no watch is being conducted.