Guide to North Lookout Trail 4.

River of Rocks Overlook

Look below 700 feet for the mile-long boulder field
Sunset Overlook called the River of Rocks. The River of Rocks is the
A series of 12 numbered posts along the trail correspond result of freeze-thaw cycles associated with the last Ice
The Slide Age some 10,000-12,000 years ago. The process of
with information about Hawk Mountain and its cultural
and natural history. Use this guide to explore Hawk weathering allowed water to seep into the small cracks
of the rocks along the ridge tops. When the water
Mountain and discover more about Appalachian
froze and expanded, the rock was then fractured into
Mountain ecosystems. boulders. Over time, the boulders slid down the slopes
and were deposited in the valley below. The River-
1. Hay-Scented Ferns (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) of-Rocks boulder field is 30 to 40 feet deep in some
The hay-scented ferns that grow here are characteristic places. If you listen at a crevice in the River of Rocks,
of disturbed areas. This clearing resulted when a tree fell you can hear water moving in the stream below it. You
and its turned uproot exposed the soil it once covered. can walk the River of Rocks on the River-of-Rocks
Hay-scented ferns are a fast growing native North Trail.
American plant. These ferns fill vegetation voids in the
forest and take over available open spaces. They are 5. Ridgetop Trees
unusual in being a shade-loving pioneer species. They Red maple (Acer rubrum)
dominate smaller shade plants and cover large areas. One of the most common tree species in the United
They do this by forming colonies that can grow in States, red maple is adaptable to a wide range of site
number very quickly. They’re called hay-scented ferns for conditions. Features red in each of the seasons: buds
their hay-like smell when bruised. in winter, flowers in spring, leafstalks in summer, and
foliage in autumn.
2. South Lookout Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus)
The Kittatinny Ridge The bark is rough, with leaves that resemble that of the
At South Lookout, you have an impressive view of American chestnut. Tolerates dry, rocky soils of the
the Kittatinny Ridge. The Kittatinny Ridge, or Blue ridge top where other trees can’t grow.
Mountain, is a globally important bird highway for White Oak (Quercus alba)
Acorns take one year to mature and contain a high fat
more than 150 species of songbirds and 16 species of
and carbohydrate content, making them preferred by
raptors. The Kittatinny Ridge is a part of the Appalachian wildlife as a food source and less likely to be cached or
Mountain Ridge and Valley Region. The ridge is known stored than those of other oaks.
as the “endless mountain” because it runs 300 miles Northern red oak (Quercus rubra)
across 11 Pennsylvania counties. Approximately 20,000 Acorns take two years to mature and contain more
birds of prey are counted and watched each autumn while tannins making them a less preferred acorn by wildlife,
migrating along the ridge. but more resistant to rotting if cached.
3. Appalachian Overlook 6. Bald Overlook
Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) Lichens
Turkey Vultures are the most common vulture in North Lichens are a symbiotic life form made up of a
America. Turkey Vultures are carrion-eating birds. They partnership between a fungus and an algae. In lichens,
find their food using sight as well as their incredible fungi provide structure and protection, and algae
sense of smell. These vultures are large, dark brown in provide energy via photosynthesis. Lichens grow in
plumage, and have a red unfeathered head. They have a three different forms: crustose (crusty), foliose (leafy),
long tail and two-toned underwings. The wings are held and fructicose (shrubby). The benefits of lichens are
above the horizontal in a strong “V.” These birds often many. Lichens grow on bare surfaces and help to
rock back and forth in flight. Trail Rules erode rocks to form soil. Lichens convert atmospheric
Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) nitrogen into beneficial nitrates for nearby plants.
Black Vultures have mostly black plumage with a bare To protect the fragile ecology of the Mountain, and for They are also important because they can absorb
black head, short tail, and broad plank-like wings tipped your own safety, please remain on the trails at all times. carbon dioxide and heavy metals from the air. Because
Wear sturdy shoes with gripping soles. No pets, radios, lichens absorb water and atmospheric gases, they are
with white. Like Turkey Vultures, they are carrion-eating
vulnerable to air pollution. Scientists use their presence
birds. They do not rock back and forth in flight like the bicycles, horses, camping fires, smoking, or alcoholic
to assess air pollution by counting their number on
Turkey Vultures. Unlike Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures beverages are permitted. Keep voices low on trails and rocks and trees in a given area.
search for carrion by sight alone. As a result, Black lookouts. All trails are open from dawn to dusk.
Vultures often follow Turkey Vultures to find food.
7. Living and Dead Trees 11. Kettle View
Some 85 bird species of North American birds, as well The Tuscarora Sandstone boulders found here at Kettle
as many mammals, reptiles, and amphibians use tree View and other lookouts were formed 400 million years
cavities for shelter, resting, or nesting. Tree cavities ago. The layers of harder Tuscarora Sandstone make up
can be found in dead or dying trees. Can you see any the ridges, and the softer, easily-eroded shale make up
cavities here? The flowers, leaves, and fruits of living the valleys.
trees provide important food sources. Many of the trees
here are oaks, and provide acorns, an important food 12. North Lookout
source for grey squirrels, eastern chipmunks, blue jays, Your last stop is North Lookout, the site of the longest-
and many more species of wildlife. running hawk watch in the world. The Autumn Hawk
Watch, held annually, runs from August 15 through
8. The Original Path December 15. A Spring Hawk Watch is held from April
Beyond the railing you can see what remains of the 1 through May 15. An average 18,000 birds of prey pass
original path to North Lookout. In the late 19th century, each autumn; about 1,200 pass during spring. There
mule-drawn carts and quarrymen walked to and from are 16 species of hawks that migrate over this location
work along this path. Other early travelers included
gunners who in the 1920’s and 1930’s killed hawks for
in autumn. The three most common migrant raptors at
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary are the Broad-winged Hawk, Trail Guide To
sport. Rosalie Edge ended the shooting in 1934 when the Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the Red-tailed Hawk. The
she purchased the land and established it as the world’s
first Sanctuary for birds of prey. Beginning in 1934, the
Sanctuary’s first curator, Maurice Broun, walked this
plastic owl decoy perched atop a tall wooden post often
attracts passing migrants. Some hawks, particularly
Merlins and Sharp-shinned Hawks, will strike the decoy,
North Lookout
path to the North Look Out every day during the fall providing visitors with a closer look.
migration. He continued to walk this path until 1966
when he retired.

9. Mountaintop Sandstone
The sand you see along the path is eroded Tuscarora Visitor Information
Sandstone. In the middle of the 19th Century, the
J.D. Stone & Co. hauled sand to the Little Schuylkill Hours
Railroad in mule wagons, and later, a gravity railroad.
Today, only a few remnants of this once busy sand Hawk Mountain Sanctuary trails are open year
mining industry are left, the most visible being the round, 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. The Visitor
patches of sand found along the trial. Center, which includes a bookstore, birdfeeder
Burrowing worm fossils- (Arthrophycus) observation window and Wings of Wonder gallery,
The mountain you are currently standing on was once is open 8 am to 5 pm September through November
the bottom of a large inland sea. Perceptive visitors can and 9 am to 5 pm all other months.
find marks on the rocks in this area that represent the
fossilized burrows of large sea-worms that lived about The Visitor Center is closed only on Thanksgiving,
one-half billion years ago on the bottom of the Silurian Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more
Sea. For a reference, the Visitor Center was built with a information visit www.hawkmountain.org or call:
rock marked with burrowing worm fossils. It is located 610-756-6961.
to the right of the entrance doors.
Admission
10. Acidic Soil (Trail admission collected in the Visitor Center)
Acidic soils are typical along the trail. Soil acidification
is a very slow process that can occur naturally as Hawk Mountain members are admitted free, year-
rock is eroded and soil is weathered. Eroded quartzite round. Non-members pay a modest trail fee, which
rock, such as the Tuscarora sandstone found on Hawk helps maintain the sanctuary and supports Hawk
Mountain, can lower the pH of the soil and affect Mountain’s conservation and education programs.
the ecology of an area. Plants that grow in acidic Members may proceed directly to trail entrance.
environments are adapted to this natural condition.
Some plants you will see here are Eastern hemlock, Trail Fee (Always FREE for Members)
blueberries, rhododendron, lady slipper, wintergreen, Adults $9
and mountain laurel. Seniors $7
Children ages 6-12 $5