Charles F. Lewis Natural Area
Natural area in Pennsylvania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles F. Lewis Natural Area is a 384-acre (155 ha) protected area in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Gallitzin State Forest.[1][2]
| Charles F. Lewis Natural Area | |
|---|---|
  Location within Pennsylvania | |
| Location | Indiana County, Pennsylvania |
| Nearest town | Cramer |
| Coordinates | 40°24′39″N 78°59′07″W |
| Area | 384 acres (155 ha) |
Description
The Natural Area was established to protect trees at the western end of the Rager Mountain Forest Area,[1] which constitutes second growth forest after the region was clearcut in the late 1800s.[2] The area is named after local newspaper editor Dr. Charles Fletcher Lewis, who was the first President of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.[3]
The area is traversed by a loop hiking trail (with multiple cross-connectors) that can be accessed from a parking lot on PA 403.[3] It protects the habitats of several plants that have been classified as threatened in Pennsylvania, as well as a population of the locally threatened Allegheny woodrat, within and above a rugged gorge formed by Clark Run, which in turn flows a short distance to the Conemaugh River.[4] The area has also been noted by journalists for offering some of the best fall foliage in Pennsylvania.[5]