I now have a nine-year-old son who is my pride and joy. I refer to him here quite often. Jensen is a great looking kid who plays Xbox and several youth sports. He loves the outdoors and is halfway through the third grade. Jensen is so dang spoiled and has thousands of Nerf guns. J Bird is at a fun age and the stuff he says or does — you just can’t make it up. My lovely bride is also grand, and we are one heck of a team. But she doesn’t like the spotlight so I will try to refrain from using her name.

I am still buzzing about Loyalsock Creek being named the PA Watershed of the Year, and I wanted to continue with the celebration. North Central Pennsylvania is home to many treasures. We are incredibly blessed to live in an area with such natural beauty. My son and I take full advantage as we do our best to “commune” as often as we can. I love to fish, but Jensen is more of an explorer these days. Hiking is a new passion, and one of his favorite places to go is a beautiful spot in neighboring Sullivan County.

Worlds End is a 780-acre Pennsylvania state park in the Loyalsock Creek valley on PA Route 154. The park is a few minutes southeast of Forksville and about an hour north of Williamsport. Completely surrounded by the Loyalsock State Forest, Worlds End offers many recreational opportunities within its borders. The rugged natural slopes of this pristine mountain landscape provide excellent camping, hiking, fishing, and photographic possibilities. The entire family will love it.

The name Worlds End has been used since the late 1800s, but its origins are still very uncertain. Some folks called it Whirl’s Glenn and a combination of the two — Whirl’s End was the actual name of the park from 1936 to 1943. The name officially changed back to Worlds End in 1943 according to my records.

The park features several hiking trails for all types of walkers looking to enjoy World’s End’s beauty. The well-maintained paths cover a variety of rocky terrains carved through the surrounding mountains. These trails provide hikers with incredible views of the entire Loyalsock Valley. Some treks are more difficult than others but yield a more significant reward. Regardless — the whole area is an ideal habitat for all kinds of wildlife and over 200 species of birds. The canopy of trees and the rock formations created by the waters below are second to none. Worlds End State Park can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

The Loyalsock Trail passes through the park and serves as a home base for many of the Worlds End day hikes. Brochures and maps will explain more. But before selecting a trail — I strongly suggest you stop by the park office and ask for some help. The High Rock Trail is one of my personal favorites. This 1-mile loop takes you on a short rocky journey to High Rock Vista and High Rock Falls. The Butternut Trail is a 2.5-mile loop that ascends along the creek for another impressive view. The Canyon Vista Trail is a challenging 4-mile loop that dissects the eastern portion of the park. You eventually climb to 1750 feet at Canyon Vista.

Jensen and I headed up to Worlds End on a warm afternoon in the fall. The Park Office was our very first stop, and we agreed to try a new hike that was suggested. The LT Link Trail started right at the station. It took us along the banks of Lycoming Creek. The water that day was crystal clear and flowing heavy.

We came to the Double Run trailhead after a quick mile. The reward of this 1.2-mile swing was an up-close encounter with Cottonwood Falls. There was only a trace of water in the West Branch of Double Run, but the brilliant fall colors made our trek worthwhile. The backwoods setting and natural rhythms were so peaceful. It was another great day out.

I am not an outdoor expert by any means, but you should always dress accordingly and wear the proper footwear while on the trails. I always recommend that you use extreme caution too. There are many slippery slopes and challenging terrains. Give a hoot. Don’t pollute. Pack out what you pack in. Get the next generation of kin involved with the great outdoors and keep things fun and exciting when you do. Please get out and celebrate the woods this spring. Cheers.