One Tank Get Away :Middle Creek Wildlife

One Tank Getaway:
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

by Mitchell L. Hillman, Jr.

PLACES TO EAT

Franklin House-Restaurant & Tavern
Main & Market Streets, Schaefferstown. Fine dining or relaxed tavern eating.

Brickerville Family Restaurant-South 501, turn right at 322 junction turn left and this will be on your right. Home cooked diner fare.

The Stouch Tavern 1785-Casual dress, healthy portions and an enjoyable Colonial ambiance. Moderately priced for nearly any budget. Wolmesdorf, off 419 North.

PLACES TO STAY
There are many places to stay.

If you’re in the mood for bed & breakfast, make reservations at the Franklin House (949-3398) in Schaefferstown or the Clearview Farm Bed & Breakfast in Ephrata (733-6333).

For a nicely priced motel, try Motel Skandia in Myerstown, just east of the 501 & 422 junction.

If you prefer a lodging offered by a chain, there are many choices at reasonable rates in nearby Lebanon, Ephrata, and Lancaster.

There are also many campgrounds in the area including the Cocalico Creek Campground off 897, and Shady Oaks Campground in Newmanstown off 419.

Sprawling across the county line between Lebanon and Lancaster, amidst the rolling cultivated hills of Amish farmland, lies 5,000 acres of land dedicated to the propagation of wildlife. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area contains nearly every habitat possible in Pennsylvania, and this variety attracts a large population of wildlife throughout the year. Due to its beauty and ample recreation space, it also attracts a fairly large population of human life throughout the year as well. If you can brave the cold and are looking for something different to do on the weekend, Middle Creek might be the place for you to spend a Saturday.

Middle Creek is one of the best local hot spots for migratory birds; specifically water birds, ranging from ducks and geese to herons, egrets and even majestic predators such as Ospreys and Bald Eagles. Starting this month, waterfowl migration begins in full force and peaks around the beginning of March. Middle Creek is the place to see this wonder.

One of the most impressive sights during this time of year is the migration of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese. Literally thousands of swans and geese fill the available lake surface and cover it in a feathery mantle of white. This migrant population begins to filter into the area around the middle of December and grows through March. Although the large population of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese are the most obvious, many other species of waterfowl stake their claim on the ample lake space. If you have a spotting scope or binoculars you can usually find several varieties of ducks that are otherwise rare to this area and often, beautiful Common Loons. Even if you are not a bird watcher or duck hunter, the sight of a thousand swans taking flight and exploding into the air is sure to impress the most stoic visitor.

There are many things for even the most casual nature lover to do while visiting Middle Creek. I would recommend stopping in at the visitor’s center first, if it is open, (it is closed from November 30 until March 1). There you can probably find out the best information about what’s going on at Middle Creek, where any rare wildlife sightings have occurred, or ask for a recommendation of what to do during your visit. You can also pick up a wide variety of brochures, pamphlets and flyers with information that may be helpful toward the enjoyment of your stay.

After that, the choice is yours. There are many trails throughout the area including Elder’s Run Trail & Mill Stone Trail for a hike into the wooded hills, as well as Willow Point Trail for the best scenic vista in Middle Creek. Or you could relax at any of the picnic areas and enjoy a meal. There are many of these on the south side of the lake, including White Oak, Red Rock and Green Briar picnic areas. One of the best picnic areas is the Sunfish Pond, just beyond the visitor’s center, which at this time of year is popular for ice fishing and skating. Close to the Sunfish Pond you can usually find several Long-Eared Owls roosting in the pines nearby. All of the picnic spots have restroom facilities, offer great views of the surrounding natural beauty, and also provide excellent photographic opportunities.

Perhaps the greatest thing about Middle Creek is the variety of habitats provided for the wildlife and waterfowl. These habitats include freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes and streams; deciduous and coniferous forests; grain fields and prairie, and several lush meadows. The Middle Creek Wildlife Management area is open from dawn to dusk; the visitor’s center is open, in-season, Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays Noon to 5:00 p.m.

The area surrounding Middle Creek is just as fascinating. Within a ten-mile range you can visit many of Central Pennsylvania’s hidden jewels. All of the surrounding boroughs are filled with Antique shops and many are "dreams come true" for the collector interested in Pennsylvania heritage, including Antiques on the Square in nearby Schaefferstown. Driving through the rural communities of Kleinfeltersville, Schaefferstown, Lititz, Brickerville and Cocalico is like driving forty years into the past. Many of the buildings along the way are historic landmarks including the Franklin House, a bed and breakfast established in 1746 and an ideal location for fine dining or an overnight stay.

In Lititz two popular attractions include the Candy Americana Museum and Candy Outlet, where you can watch chocolate made the 18th century way and the Sturgis Pretzel House, which was the first pretzel bakery in the newly independent America, established in 1784. There are also many beautiful churches along the way to Middle Creek. One which is particularly resplendent is the Coleman Memorial Chapel located south of Schaefferstown on Rt. 501. Which brings to mind a word of caution, if you plan to spend time on the weekend at Middle Creek keep in mind that many surrounding businesses including restaurants and stores are closed on Sunday. If you want to hit any of the shops or have a meal at one of the many local eateries, aim for Saturday.

DIRECTIONS

There are two effective ways to get to Middle Creek from Harrisburg. Take I-83 North to U.S. 322 for 20 miles, then take SR 419 for 9 miles, and then head south on SR 897 for 2 miles. You will see a red brick public schoolhouse on your left, take your next right onto Hopeland Road. This will take you directly to Middle Creek. You can also take the Pennsylvania Turnpike heading East, get off at Exit 20 and head North on Highway 72. Proceed to the 322 East exit. On 322 you will approach the junction of 501 with a Turkey Hill on your left. Turn left onto 501 North, go past Boy Scout CampMack, past a Uni-Mart on your right and turn right onto 897 South. Go two miles. You will see the red brick public schoolhouse on your left, take your next right onto Hopeland Road.