Cove Mountain, a remote hawk-watching site in Perry County with a strenuous hike, offers good views from the Appalachian Trail summit. It is located about 10 miles west of the Susquehanna River at the sharp bend of Cove Mountain just north of the Kittatinny Ridge. The power line right-of-way hike offers overhead viewing opportunities the entire walk.

Cove Mountain power line is a great hike May through July with nesting birds including Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Hooded Warbler. Also, this is a good place for butterflies, dragonflies, and wildflowers.

Wind Factor:
Any wind direction may provide views of up to 16 species of raptors in the fall.

Directions:
From Harrisburg, follow US Route 11/15 north to Marysville. Turn left onto Route 850 west and drive 10 miles. Turn right (north) on Pine Hill Road. Drive 1.8 miles and park in the small dirt parking lot on the right before the power line right-of-way. Hike northeast on the power line. Numerous trails follow the right-of-way. The first ridge summit is a 25-minute hike. The second ridge summit (Appalachian Trail) is a 50-minute hike.

During peak hunting seasons (see Caution below), we advise using the slightly longer hike on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) to access the hawk-watch. From Marysville, drive Route 850 west for 8 miles passing Cove Road on the right. Look for A.T. signs as it crosses Route 850. Park off the road along the A.T. and hike north on the white-blazed trail for approximately two miles to the power line right-of-way.

Caution: This site is partly on Pennsylvania State Game Lands 170 and is used by hunters in the fall and spring. (Peak hunting seasons are October-December all day, and May from sunrise to noon.) During this time, wear 250 square inches of blaze orange on the chest, head, and back. Hunting is not permitted along the Appalachian Trail.

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