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Hemlocks to Hellbenders is an award-winnning podcast hosted by Christian Alexandersen highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors.
Our episodes feature engaging conversations with park managers, forest rangers, scientists, educators, outdoor recreationalists, volunteers, officials and more that help you plan your next adventure in the Commonwealth's incredible parks and forests.
71 Episodes
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When people think about history, especially armed conflicts, many picture dusty textbooks, old maps and long-forgotten generals. But here in Pennsylvania, history isn’t just words on a page—it’s written into the very ground beneath our feet. From the rolling hills of Gettysburg, where the fate of a nation turned in just three days, to the banks of the Brandywine, where the Revolutionary War nearly lost its footing, to the quiet frontier where settlers clashed in the Whiskey Rebellion—Pennsylv...
When you stand on the ridgeline of South Mountain and look out across the valleys, you see more than just trees and farmland. You see orchards stretching toward the horizon, you see trails that have carried travelers for centuries and you see small, thriving towns that grew out of rocky soil. This beautiful ridgeline is the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a billion-year old mountain range that stretches 550 miles across eight states. South Mountain isn’t just a line on a ...
When you stand at the edge of Hyner View State Park, it feels like Pennsylvania has stretched itself out just for you. Rolling mountains covered in endless green, the West Branch of the Susquehanna winding far below, and a sky so wide it makes you want to take flight. In fact, people do—Hyner View is one of the state’s most famous hang-gliding spots, where the bold launch themselves into the open air. I’ve been fortunate enough to see gliders taking off from the park’s summit and it is a sigh...
As the sun dips below the tree line and the night sky takes over, a quiet but critical process begins above our heads. Tiny silhouettes flit through the dark, weaving between branches and barn rafters, doing the work of a thousand pesticides—silently, efficiently and for free. These are Pennsylvania’s bats, and despite their bad reputation in folklore and films, they’re some of the hardest-working—and most misunderstood—members of our ecosystem. Bats matter more than most people realize. Thes...
While most of the places we feature on this podcast are either a state park or forest, this episode is about something a little different. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is not just a garden or a park. It’s a sanctuary. A living, breathing tribute to Pennsylvania’s native plants and the ecosystems they support. Founded in the early 1930s, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is the nation’s only accredited native plant museum. Today, it boasts over 700 native plant species—each one telling it...
Stretching 444 miles from New York through Pennsylvania and into Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay the Susquehanna River is one of the oldest rivers in the world. And while it served generations as fertile hunting and fishing grounds and trade and transportation routes, it took American industries a couple hundred or so years to nearly destroy it. Like always, it took a dedicated group of people to speak up and make changes that would save the river. One of the voices speaking on behalf o...
High above the meeting point of two mighty rivers, where the Susquehanna splits into its North and West Branches, stands Shikellamy State Park. Perched on a forested bluff in central Pennsylvania, this park offers more than just scenic overlooks. It’s a gateway to the natural beauty, cultural history and outdoor adventure of the Susquehanna River Valley. Shikellamy State Park is a place where geography and heritage intersect. The story of the park and the story of the Native American tr...
When it comes to rewarding outdoor experiences, there are few things that can compete with seeing a waterfall. There’s just so much to enjoy. The mesmerizing sight of water cascading over rocks, the soothing sound of its rhythmic splash and the refreshing touch of mist in the air. No matter if the waterfall is five stories or five feet, they’re a wonderful sight in nature. And luckily, Pennsylvania has a lot of beautiful waterfalls. We’ve got all sorts here. We got big ones, small ones, ones ...
Michaux State Forest is the place I spend the most time outdoors. Located about 30 miles from where I live, it’s where I hike and camp. It’s where I bring visitors to show off the South Mountain region. It’s where I breath in fresh air and explore the beauty of the Commonwealth. It’s my safe place away from the goings-on of Harrisburg. But that safety was shattered in April 2025. I received text messages from friends telling me that Michaux was on fire. Then, news came that there were t...
Tucked away in the rugged hills of northwestern Pennsylvania, Clear Creek State Forest offers a peaceful escape into one of the Commonwealth’s most scenic and secluded natural areas. Spread across thousands of acres, this forest is a haven for nature lovers, where trails wind through towering hardwoods, crystal-clear streams carve their way through valleys and wildlife flourishes in every direction. Whether you're wandering through old-growth forests, casting a line in the Clarion River, or s...
I’ve known my guest Wes Robinson for more than a decade, beginning when we started at our new jobs together at PennLive/The Patriot News. When it comes to friends, I tend to seek out fun, critical thinkers. Someone that can challenge me and make me laugh. Someone who will get right to the line and roundly cross it. Someone who has a strong moral character and a diabolical sense of humor. After I left journalism, I worked to bring Wes with me to the Pennsylvania Senate. He joined me at the Cap...
Point State Park stands as the crowned jewel of downtown Pittsburgh. It is a lush, 36-acre greenspace nestled at the historic confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, where the mighty Ohio River is born. Point State Park is a focal point for community gatherings, festivals and celebrations. It provides sweeping views of the city’s skyline and serves as a tranquil urban escape. The Point has become the place you bring your out of town parents to. The place you see on TV during all h...
Many of us find our love for the outdoors the same way – with a hike. A short jaunt into the woods that brings us in touch with nature. But soon, short hikes just won’t do. There’re too many people. Too many screaming kids. Too much car traffic. So, the only logical next step is to take longer hikes. 2 miles turns into 5 miles, turns into 10 miles. The peaceful solitude of the woods, the rewarding views from a summit and the sense of accomplishment after completing a trail all contribute to a...
The best part about having 124 state parks to explore in Pennsylvania is the variety. Each park is special in its own way. Each park offers a natural feature, a trail, a view, a piece of local history, or something that makes it stand out from others. You’ve got the old growth forests at Cook Forest State Park. The waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park. The fly fishing at Poe Paddy State Park. Every single park offers a bit of variety. A bit of magic. A bit of splendor. A bit of someth...
In the heart of Central Pennsylvania lies a true outdoor recreation paradise. If you're looking for adventure, Huntingdon County delivers—hiking, biking, paddling, and breathtaking views at every turn. Whether you’re trekking through Rothrock State Forest, paddling on Raystown Lake or taking in the stunning views from the Standing Stone Trail, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the wild beauty of this region. Huntingdon County is home to a vast network of trails that cater to ...
Tucked away just outside of Hollidaysburg, Canoe Creek State Park is underrated treasure. It’s got a little bit of everything to keep visitors busy, interested and engaged. It’s location also makes it the perfect homebase for weekends visiting Altoona, Holidaysburg and so much more. I’m looking forward to getting back to Canoe Creek State Park with friends to explore even more of the Ridge and Valley Province of southern Pennsylvania. On this episode, I speak with Heidi Mullendore. Heid...
For generations, Pennsylvanians have been at the forefront of conservation movements that have shaped the United States. Pennsylvanians like Gifford Pinchot, Joseph Rothrock, J Horace McFarland and Rachel Carson have had immeasurable impacts on our natural world. They’ve helped protect our forests, create state parks, beautify our cities and warn against the devastating affects of pesticides. Others like Ralph Brock and Mira Lloyd Dock have often been left out of the history books, due ...
When taking a hike, people don’t often think about everything it takes to keep trails operational. The bridge building, the trail restoration, the habitat enhancement, the invasive species management and so on. The work often goes unseen. And if you don’t spend much time thinking about the work that takes place, even less time is spent thinking about the people that do the work. The image of burly guys in flannel with hardhats and chainsaws come to mind. Rough and tough individuals who ...
It’s 1910 and Anthony Wayne Cook has just inherited his family’s land. Over the last 80 years, the Cook family had made their money off the land. It started with his grandfather John Cook - who purchased the land in 1828. He built a sawmill on the property to process the timber he was harvesting from the forest. Andrew Cook – Anthony’s father - would go on to build three sawmills, one flouring mill, one planning mill, a boat scaffold, several dwellings and a store on the property. While...
In the 1930s, a beautiful forest in northeast Pennsylvania was set to become a national park. Which made sense. The area was special, even to those that purchased the land to timber it. In a time when forests across the Commonwealth were being clear cut to feed the growing nation of raw materials, this forest received some reprieve. As a result, 300-year-old trees were allowed to continue to grow – providing the forest with mature trees and the viewing public with examples of ancient forests....
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