Hiking Fee Hollow

This hike took place near Sizerville State Park, which is near the Cameron/Potter county border in north-central pennsylvania. Fee Hollow travels perpendicular to route 155 and is just past the campground. It is a very nice walk and not too taxing, and there is even a spring near the bottom so one needn't worry about hiking sans water.

It is possible to make a loop trail of sorts and that is what I did for this hike. My hiking companions were an eleven year-old black Lab and a ten month old  German Shorthair mix. The trees are beginning to turn so I took plenty of foliage photos, although the leaves won't peak for another couple of weeks or so. There is a blockade near the campground trail entrance. More on that later. Fee Hollow goes across a bridge and then up a seemiingly long hill. The spring mentioned earlier is just past the bridge and up the bank to the right of the trail.

It looked like autumn but felt more like summer. Shorts and a t-shirt were all that were needed in the way of clothing. I had a rather small water bottle with me and it didn't last very long since I stopped at the hilltop to give both dogs some water in a small bowl. There wasn't much game to be seen, but the dogs were on some grouse scent for a few minutes, but no grouse were flushed. Capturing a grouse with a camera is quite difficult, for me anyway.

 The trail goes along the hilltop for a fair distance and then through a clearcut. Off to the right yellow trail markers can be seen. That trail goes down a hollow and joins the campground trail. The trail is a bit difficult to follow at first and is replete with brambles. Along the hollow are Poison Nettles and I even pulled a deer tick off my leg. It is a good idea to wear convertible shorts when hiking that trail during warmer months. I don't always practice what I preach though. Poison Nettles sting and burn, but they are't anything serious or long lasting.

 It is hard to say how long it took me to hike up the hill, along the top and then back down the hollow, but I was ready for a break by the time I gained the campground trail. After I began seeing campers down across the creek I leashed Hank the German Shorthair mix, but let Clara run free since she rarely strays off to investigate various sights and sounds. The campground trail isn't very long and soon I was making my way around the wooden sawhorse blockade. I don't know why that blockade is there. Maybe its' sole porpose is to deter off-road vehicles.

I'd like to think that both dogs were quite grateful for such an enjoyable walk. It was long but I stopped frequently to take pictures, and the hike down the hollow was cool and shady for the dogs. There was plenty of water for them to drink since there is a brook running down Nady Hollow.

If you are ever in the Sizerville State Park area check out the various hiking trails. Some of them are a little more challenging than others. A map can be obtained at the Park office. Fee Hollow does not live up to its' name. There isn't any charge to hike the trails in Sizerville State Park. All of the activities other than camping are free. Maybe I'll see you there sometime.