GALETON—The Friends of Lyman Run and Lyman Run State Park are sponsoring Winter Fest on Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park’s Daggett Day Use Area at 454 Lyman Run Road, near Galeton. All events are free.
The park is located in Potter County’s West Branch and Ulysses townships. It is seven miles from Galeton via U.S. Route 6 west, West Branch Road and Lyman Run Road and 15 miles east of Coudersport via Route 6 east and Lyman Run Road.
Sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, an ice fishing clinic and two guided hikes will all begin at 11 a.m. depending on snow and ice conditions. “We will have signs directing people to the different activities,” said Paul Miller, president of the Friends group. “Those who have their own ice fishing gear, skis, snowshoes and sleds, toboggans and tubes should bring them,” he added. A limited number of snowshoes and cross-country skis, boots and poles will be available for kids and adults to use free during the event.
In a warming tent at the pavilion, volunteers will have free hot chocolate and cookies available while supplies last.
Ice fishing and an ice fishing clinic will be at the dock area of Lyman Run Lake if it is safe to be on the ice. There, the Friends group is also setting up an underwater camera. “Using a Wi-Fi signal, the camera broadcasts images of live trout and panfish to people’s smartphones,” said Miller. To see the images, visitors have to download Vexilar’s FishPhone application prior to arriving at the park. “If they do that, they will be able to sign onto the local video network and see the fish.”
God’s Country Black Forest Snowmobile Club members will provide snowmobile rides if there is enough snow.
All trails at Lyman Run State Park are open for hiking. Many of them connect to Bureau of Forestry roads or trails. Several of the park’s short trails offer ideal hiking opportunities for people to try on their own on Jan. 28. For more adventurous hikers, there are the Upper Lyman Lake, Spur Line, Lyman Overlook and Bee Hive trails. Maps are available at the park office or at the information kiosk located at the Lyman Dam spillway parking lot.
During Winter Fest, two guided hikes are being offered. Wanda Shirk is leading an easy, family oriented, one-mile hike down and back on the Lower Lyman Lake Trail. It is sheltered from the wind and relatively level. Daryl Warren of the Asaph Hiking Club is leading a more ambitious three-mile hike over sections of several trails.
The festival is free but donations to help fund Friends’ projects and programs are always appreciated.
The Friends of Lyman Run is a chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, a non-profit group of volunteers who work with their local state parks and forests. Membership applications for the Friends group will be available at the event and the park office.
For information about Winter Fest or for ice and snow conditions, contact the Lyman Run State Park office at (814) 435-5010 or the Friends of Lyman Run on Facebook.
