Cooks Forest

[woodburner]

We are planning on going there the 16 - 18 of Sept.....after i get back from Goshen. If anyone is free join us!! AND if anyone has an easy/fast way to get there from Mentor OH. I'm all ears.

[woodburner]

We are planning on going there the 16 - 18 of Sept.....after i get back from Goshen. If anyone is free join us!! AND if anyone has an easy/fast way to get there from Mentor OH. I'm all ears.

[Superslif]

Where are you staying at? Kalyumet or the state park? We have gone there for a week the last 4 summers and stayed at the state park.

[woodburner]

Planning on staying at the St. Pk. In the dog section; but still waiting for Jan to get ok from work to make reservation.

[Superslif]

Have you been to the state park before? Otherwise I can give ya a few good site #'s in the pet loop. Are you looking for a sunny site or shady? I know you want a electric site. They have some of both that are easy to get into with your big rig. And then there are some in the pet loop that are tight. I know you like to keep the fire going. This past year the state park had a problem with the Beech tree bettle, so they cut down a 100 foot buffer zone on back of most of the campsites on the outside of the loops. There was still a lot of wood laying in the fringes of the outer campsites to feed the fire. We were there with the Miklas's the 3rd week in July. We were in the next loop over that they just added electric to. They did a great job because they made all the site pads like a 100 feet deep, so you have parking for a trailer and 2 cars if you wanted.....I wish West Branch would have taken some notes

You have to check out my Vermont pictures I just posted. The first one was of a sunset last week at Lake St. Catherine State Park in western VT.

Lake St. Catherine State park (5 nights) >>>http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showph...o=5718&cat=750

Gifford Woods State Park (4 nights) >>> http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=748

Lake Dunmore's Kampersville (5 nights) >>> http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=749

[ISLAPP]

Nice pictures, Jim.
Mike

[Superslif]

When we were at Cook's in July we had a mini-IRV2 Rally that Friday night. We called it our Branson "East" Rally. We had the Miklas's and Jackie), Slifka's,Stewards and the Martin's...
http://www.irv2.com/photopost/showph...o=5594&cat=743

[NLOVNIT]

That's so cute Robert got the duck to eat from his hand. He musta been thrilled.

L-

Hey Diane, if you wanted to sneak doing your laundry in their pond water, you shouldn't have used so much detergent. That's one big suds mound in that one Lk Dunmore shot.

[woodburner]

I reserved site 51 which seems big enough to accomodate us.....59ft. to the short side of the wheelstyop is more then i need. We're 53 hooked up towing so it should be good.
Anyone ever take 322 down? Seems like it'd be a nice ride. Yes/no????

[Frank P. Martin]

Wb:

I can't tell you much about US-322 but I looked at it on Google maps and it appears to parallel some railroad tracks which, to me is an indicator that it's probably mostly flat and any grades would be gentle.

How are you getting to Cook Forest SP from US-322? Assuming you're coming from Meadville on US-322, I see two choices.

Turn left on PA-66, then right on PA-36 to the Campground entrance (on left).

Take US-322 into clarion and turn left on N 5th Ave/Miola Rd, then right on PA-36 to the Campground entrance (on left).

I traveled on both routes earlier this summer. I judged PA-66 not as smooth as Miola Rd and you had to cross railroad tracks numerous times. The line is abandoned but the crossings are still there. You also miss the town of Clarion.

If you go Miola Rd, you have to make a steep descent/ascent to cross the Clarion River. Not a big deal. I did it with my TT. No sweat. You'll also pass Kalyumet Campground (on your right). Full hookups, WiFi, pleasant setting. More "comforts" than that electric only site at the state park but, of course, a lot more money per night.

[Superslif]

Site 51 if I remember is very deep and semi shady. I can't remember how it was to turn into. The camp host site is right across the street and they have a wide site apron. But if you were able to get into that one site at West Branch on the full service loop you'll be fine. If you haven't been to the Cooks Forest campground before, watch as you look for the enterance off of route 36. The sign is kind of small. There will be a sign for the firetower on the other side of the road too. The campground is right across from that on the right hand side. If you pass it up go down the hill / across the bridge to Mac-Beths country store. There is enough room to turn around.

[woodburner]

Thanks for the info guys! Exactly what I was hoping for; Thanks!

[Superslif]

While your at Cook's Forest check out the following. The fire tower and Seneca Point lookout are right across from the campground road. They have about 15 hiking trails around the campground and down by the river. The longfellow trail is their signature trail that winds it's way thru the "Forest Cathedral" area. Its an area of old growth hemlock forests. For biking pick up a area Cook Forest map and it shows a 6 or so mile bike route. Do it counter-clock-wise. 10 miles east of Cook Forest is Clear Creek Forest State Park on the Clarian River. That would be another good place to ride your bike. The 1-1/2 mile entrance road to the campground is lined with picnic areas. The campground is at the end of that road near the river. It is all paved, with a nice loop around the cabin area too. About a mile before the entrance road to Clear Creek there is a nice place to eat called "The Farmers Inn". If you need any supplies like milk, bread, newspaper, tee-shirts ect....MacBeth's is located just down the hill, across the bridge on route 36 from the Cook Forest campground which sometimes is referred to as the "Ridge Campground".

[woodburner]

Thanks for the info Jim....Makin me feel like I've already been there before!
Really looking forward to this trip....We've heard so much about it!
AND, if all goes well, my coach should be free of defects from my visit the week before to the Everest Factory! Yehaaaaaaaaaaa it don't get no better!