This is an area of the Allegheny National Forest known as Buzzard Swamp--which is a dismal name for a marvelous place. During the pandemic, I came up here a few times to camp alone just inside the woods, in a spot overlooking the largest pond.
I think there are 12 or 13 ponds here, and there are so many birds. We saw osprey, red-winged blackbirds, and bald eagles, among others. Buzzard Swamp also has white birches. Such beautiful trees, and they're rare as far south as Pittsburgh.
A friend and I intended to do two nights off trail at the Hickory Creek Wilderness, but the rain caused us to have second thoughts. Hickory Creek is treacherous at the best of times, but in the rain it's a boggy mess down along the creeks. So in stead, we got a cabin at Cook Forest and did day trips. Maybe this is what happens as backpackers slowly grow old: they rent a cabin if it rains...
More white birches, so lovely. About six years ago, I had a nice little campsite--mentioned above--that we looked for on this trip, but to no avail. I can't believe it's gone. Maybe a tree fell on it or something.
And yet, my friend really liked Buzzard swamp and wants to do our next camping trip there.
There are lots of trails at Buzzard Swamp that I've never hiked, loop trails in the woods that meander far from the ponds. I've always tried to stay closer to the ponds--even before I took an interest in birds.
So, I guess my next backpacking trip is to Buzzard Swamp.
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