2023 WINTER OUTINGS SERIES CONTINUES WITH FREE WINTER SURVIVAL SKILLS PROGRAM THIS SATURDAY, JAN. 7 AT SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK AND AN EAGLE WATCH AT TIOGA-HAMMOND DAM THIS SUNDAY, JAN. 8; TYOGA RUNNING CLUB FREE THURSDAY NIGHT GROUP RUN NEXT THURSDAY, JAN. 12; FREE CROSS COUNTRY SKIING FOR BEGINNERS AT SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK NEXT SATURDAY, JAN. 14 WITH PRE-REGISTRATION BY THURSDAY, JAN. 12 AND SNOW DAY FUN — SNOWSHOEING, A FREE PROGRAM FOR KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 15 AT CHERRY SPRINGS STATE PARK

The 2023 Step Outdoors Winter Outings Series continues in Tioga and Potter counties with events this Saturday and Sunday and three more next Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Free Winter Survival Skills Program is This Saturday, Jan. 7 at Sinnemahoning State Park; Pre-registration is Required

Experienced Mountaineer Search and Rescue team member, Steve Bajor is teaching Winter Survival Skills this Saturday, Jan. 7 starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 12 p.m. at Sinnemahoning State Park at 4843 Park Drive in Austin, Potter County. It’s free. The program begins indoors in the park’s Wildlife Center classroom with a presentation and kit-making and then moves outdoors for hands-on practice in an off-trail area. Learn what the basic necessities are that people should always carry with them when exploring the outdoors; the steps to take when lost; how to keep safe and warm overnight; and how to improve the chances of being found. FMI: Pre-registration is required. Email SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov anytime between now and 4 p.m. this Friday or call the park office at 1-814-647-8401 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. today, Thursday, Jan. 5, or this Friday, Jan. 6 or at 8 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 7 to find out if there is still space available. 

Eagle Watch is This Sunday, Jan. 8 at Tioga-Hammond Dam Spillway

At 9 a.m. this Sunday, Jan. 8 is a free, one-hour Eagle Watch led by local expert and enthusiast Matt West at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Tioga-Hammond Dam spillway at 94-98 South Main Street in Tioga Borough. This is one of the best spots in the area to see bald eagles. Bring a camera and binoculars. A limited number of spotting scopes and binoculars will be available. West will talk about how to identify this raptor and areas in Tioga County where people can go to see them. To get to the spillway from Wellsboro, take Route 287 north for 17 miles, turn right at the stop sign onto South Main Street in Tioga Borough and drive a total distance of one more mile including to the end of South Main Street, then wind past the park entrance gate and drive past the spillway into the parking area. For more information, call the Ives Run Visitor Information Center at 570-835-5281. 

Tyoga Running Club to Host Free Thursday Night Group Run on Jan. 12

The Tyoga Running Club is hosting a free Thursday Night Run open to the public on Thursday, Jan. 12 and on Thursdays, Jan. 19 and 26. Meet at the Packer Park parking lot behind the Wellsboro Active Living Center at 3 Queen Street in Wellsboro. The one-hour runs will begin promptly at 6 p.m. no matter what the weather conditions. Wearing a headlamp is recommended. There are different pace groups with varying distances for runners of all ages and ability levels. For information, visit www.Facebook.com/tyogarunningclub.

Free Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners is Next Saturday, Jan. 14 at Sinnemahoning State Park; Pre-register Online by Thursday, Jan. 12

Join experienced cross-country ski instructor Curt Weinhold next Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a fun, free lesson in this popular sport at Sinnemahoning State Park at 4843 Park Drive in Austin, Potter County. By Thursday, Jan. 12, those that want to participate must pre-register online through the DCNR Calendar of Events at events.dcnr.pa.gov by searching for the park’s name and the program title (Sinnemahoning State Park and Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners). All equipment, including skis, poles, and boots in adult sizes will be provided or participants can bring their own. The program will begin indoors in the Wildlife Center classroom with an introduction to cross-country skiing equipment and styles, followed by guided practice instruction on level ground and then a short excursion on the trail. If snow depth is insufficient for skiing, an overview of ski equipment and techniques will be held indoors, followed by a two- to three-mile nature hike. FMI: Call the park office at 1-814-647-8401 or email SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov.

Snow Day Fun — Snowshoeing is a Free Program for Kids and Adults Alike Next Sunday, Jan. 15 at Cherry Springs State Park 

Snow Day Fun — Snowshoeing, a free program for kids and adults, is being held next Sunday, Jan. 15 beginning at 1 p.m. in the parking area at Cherry Springs State Park at 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, Pa. 16915. The park is 12 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44. Basic instruction will be given to people new to snowshoeing and a more in-depth introduction to snowshoeing class will be offered from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. with a guided snowshoe from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Marvel at the wonder of snow-blanketed landscapes, search for fresh animal tracks and more. Just wear winter boots and warm clothes. Adult- and youth-sized snowshoes are available to borrow for on-site use during the program or participants are welcome to bring their own equipment. No pre-registration is required. This program may be modified due to weather conditions.

FMI: Visit www.stepoutdoors.org any time to learn more about Winter Outings events or for updates on trail conditions, directions and other information or search for Step Outdoors Tioga County on Facebook.