Different directions: The new year offers options for learning an outdoor skill or hobby
Ben Moyer
Anyone who enjoys the outdoors will tell you their pursuits out there add much to life. If you’ve considered getting into the outdoors, the new year is a great time to make it happen. Many opportunities to get started are offered by area organizations, agencies, and businesses, even during these winter months. Consider taking advantage of some free, or modestly priced, outdoor education in the new year. Think of it as a resolution to make the most of the endless outdoor potential we’re so fortunate to have nearby.
Birding is one of the most popular outdoor activities. About 15 million Americans identify themselves as birdwatchers or “birders.” Birds are abundant and diverse almost everywhere (definitely here), and they’re interesting and beautiful. Learning to identify birds adds enjoyment to any day in the woods or near the water.
One of the best, and easiest, ways to enjoy and learn about birds is by feeding birds in winter. Learn the basics at Feeder Watch, 9 a.m., Jan. 20 at Laurel Hill State Park. Meet at the Laurel Hill Visitor Center, 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501.
Participants will learn to identify winter birds and count birds to gather data for submission to an international research project. For more information call 814-352-8649.
There will be more winter birding events at Laurel Hill through March 16. Watch the DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) website calendar of events: www.events.dcnr.pa.gov.
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will offer free Naturalist-led Birding Hikes at 9 a.m. on Jan. 3 and 10 at its Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve near Fox Chapel in Pittsburgh. Register at www.aswp.org.
If you’re looking for a more active winter outdoors, consider learning to cross-country ski or traverse the woods on snowshoes. Hundreds of beginners got their start in these winter sports at Ohiopyle State Park’s popular annual Winterfest.
This year’s Ohiopyle Winterfest is Saturday, Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sugarloaf Mountain sledding area at 950 Sugarloaf Road, Ohiopyle, PA 15470.
Sledding on the fast Sugarloaf slope is always the day’s highlight. Also get free instruction and use of gear for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Refreshments will be available in the warming hut at the top of the mountain. This year Winterfest has a tropical theme. Prizes will be awarded for the best tropical costume or sled decoration. No registration required. Just show up for winter immersion.
Ohiopyle State Park’s environmental education staff is offering a new program this year, one that can engage participants throughout the year. It’s the Ohiopyle Trailjourn, an effort to hike every mile of this huge state park’s 80-mile network of hiking trails during 2024. On Saturday, February 10 Trailjourn will tackle the moderately challenging McCune Trail, which makes a loop atop Laurel Ridge. The trail passes through boulder outcrops and offers some of the best views of the Youghiogheny Gorge. The hike starts at 10 a.m. and will end by 1 p.m. If there is snow, park staff will provide snowshoes to the first 50 participants. Registration required. Register by visiting the DCNR webpage at www.dcnr.pa.gov. Choose “Events,” then type Ohiopyle State Park into the search box. Park staff will lead a series of Trailjourn hikes throughout the year.
Our region is gaining wider recognition for the excellent trout fishing in our streams and the Youghiogheny River. A rewarding way to fish these streams is by fly fishing, which is not as difficult as people sometimes assume, or fear. Anyone can learn the basics of fly-fishing quickly with a competent teacher.
This offering does have a fee, but it’s a modest one when you consider what you get-launching a lifetime of fly-fishing enjoyment. Community College of Allegheny County is offering Learn to Fly Fish classes at its Boyce Campus. There are three different 6-week class sections, spaced out between early January and mid-April. All classes meet on Mondays. The cost is $109 for complete instruction on equipment, technique, casting, basic fly selection, safety, and reading trout water. Register at www.shopcommunityed.ccac.edu.
If you want to dive deeper into fly fishing, consider learning to tie your own flies. It’s rewarding but addictive. Mountain Watershed Association and PA Fly Company are teaming up to offer free Fly-Tying Clinics on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the PA Fly Company shop on Rte. 31 near Acme (166 Three Mile Hill, Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666). There are two different clinics, one in the morning 9 a.m. to noon, and an afternoon clinic 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics will feature expert tying instructors and a cozy atmosphere in PA Fly Company’s classroom. No cost but registration is required. Register at www.mtwatershed.com. For more information call Mountain Watershed Association at 724-455-4200.
Our region’s outdoors are too good to miss. Resolve to get out in 2024.