The Winter Outing Series in Potter and Tioga Counties continues with Winter in the Lumber Camp this Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum and a free, guided snowshoe or hike this Sunday, Jan. 29 on Mt. Tom near Wellsboro; and next weekend, Winter Women in the Wilds Feb. 3-5 at the Sinnemahoning State Park Wildlife Center; Community Climbing Day on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Mansfield University; and Winter Adventure Snowshoe or Hike at Lyman Run State Park on Sunday, Feb. 5.

Winter in the Lumber Camp is This Saturday, Jan. 28

“Based on the weather forecast, we are anticipating there will be enough snow for Winter in the Lumber Camp activities this Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said Josh Roth, site administrator. The public is welcome to enjoy outdoor fun in the snow with sledding, making snowmen, and snow art activities free on the grounds at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum midway between Galeton and Coudersport at 5660 US Route 6, Ulysses, PA 16948. Or, try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with equipment provided by DCNR and the help of volunteer instructors. “When people drive into the museum’s main parking area, they will see a trailer where the equipment for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing will be,” Roth said. “There won’t be enough ice on the pond for ice-skating.” Food and beverages will be available for purchase inside the museum. At 1 p.m. go indoors for an engaging overview of the Commonwealth’s elk management program presented by Jeremy Banfield, elk biologist for the Pa. Game Commission’s Deer and Elk Section. Admission to tour museum exhibits throughout the day and attend the elk management program at 1 p.m. are: $8 for ages 12 to 64; $7 for ages 65 and older or AAA members; $5 for ages 4 to 11 and free for ages 3 and under. For more information, call 1-814-435-2652. 

Mt. Tom Free Guided Snowshoe or Hike is This Sunday, Jan. 29

At 8:45 a.m.this Sunday, Jan. 29, meet at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Darling Run parking lot in Ansonia in Shippen Township, near Wellsboro to go on a hike or to snowshoe the Mt. Tom trail depending on conditions. To get to Darling Run, take U.S. Route 6, turn onto Route 362 and drive about 1.5 miles to the parking lot at Darling Run and park. At 9 a.m. on Sunday, participants will cross Route 362 on foot to hike or snowshoe up the Mt. Tom Trail. This free slow-paced guided hike or snowshoe will be a climb of over 1100 feet to see breathtaking views of Ansonia and the upper Pine Creek Valley. Depending on trail conditions and the number of participants, it can take up to three hours to complete the hike or snowshoe and get back to the parking lot. Experience and conditioning by doing moderate to difficult hikes are a must for those who decide to do this course preview for the upcoming Mt. Tom Challenge being held there on Sunday, Feb. 12. Dress in layers. Bring a snack and water. Those who have their own equipment are encouraged to bring it. A limited number of snowshoes will be available. Due to snow and/or ice, traction aiding devices, such as snowshoes or simple boot cleats will be required. For more information, call Tom Oliver at the Bureau of Forestry office at 570-724-8130 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Registration is Closed for Winter Women in the Wilds Feb. 3-5

Registration is closed and the wait list is full for Winter Women in the Wilds, a fun opportunity to learn outdoor skills next Friday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Sinnemahoning State Park Wildlife Center at 4843 Park Drive in Austin, Potter County. For information about the winter program, email SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov or call the park office at 1-814-647-8401.

Beginners of All Ages Can Climb the Wall Free at MU on Saturday, Feb. 4

Beginners of all ages, individuals and families with children are invited to participate in Community Climbing Day to experience the climbing wall for free on Saturday, Feb. 4 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Mansfield University’s Kelchner Fitness Center at 80 Clinton Street in Mansfield. Registration is not required. The climbing wall is 80 feet wide by 29 feet tall. Provided free will be guidance by trained staff and climbing gear to get newcomers off the ground. For more information or for answers to questions, email Director Amy DeLozier at aletts@commonwealthu.edu or call the center at 570-662-4865.

Free Lyman Run Winter Snowshoe or Hike is Next Sunday, Feb. 5

For the free Winter Adventure Hike or Snowshoe, meet outdoorsmen Chip Harrison and John Halter at 1 p.m. in the Day Use parking lot at Lyman Run State Park at 454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, PA 16922. Adults and children old enough to handle wearing snowshoes are welcome to participate. Following an introduction to using snowshoes and a short snowshoe, the group will leave from the parking lot, cross the road and begin the one-mile out-and-back snowshoe that will take them to the Lyman Lake beach area and then on Fisherman’s Trail and Lyman Lake, depending on conditions. Those who own snowshoes are encouraged to bring them. Snowshoes will also be available and provided free for those who don’t have them. Wear waterproof boots, dress appropriately for the weather and bring snacks and water. This winter outing may be cancelled due to trail conditions or become a traditional hike if there isn’t enough snow. For more information, call 570-439-1826 or 1-814-435-5010.

FMI: To learn more about Winter Outing events or for updates on snow and ice, trail conditions, directions and more, search for Step Outdoors Tioga County on Facebook or visit www.stepoutdoors.org.