Council Cup - Hawkwatch
Luzerne
DESCRIPTION: Council Cup hawk watch is the northernmost hawk watch in Pennsylvania to be operated on at least a part time basis. The site is in southern Luzerne County. It is directly across the river from the Berwick nuclear power plant. Two sites are used for hawk watching. The first, and most frequently used (except for high winds in late October/early November), is a large grassy area atop a cliff about 50 yards below the lower of two picnic areas/scenic overlooks maintained by Pennsylvania Power & Light Co., which owns most of Council Cup bluff. This site is on private land. Some additional observing is done from the top of the power line cut extending north from the Council Cup parking lot.

DIRECTIONS: The hawk watch site is about 5 miles east/northeast of Berwick and Nescopeck boroughs. PA. 239 runs east of the river near Council Cup and is visible from that site. Going east from Nescopeck along River Road, you will merge with PA. 239 near Wapwallopen. Go 0.25 mile and turn right on Hobbie Wapwallopen Road. Go 0.8 mile and turn left on Council Cup Road (Hobbie Wapwallopen Road makes a sharp turn to the left where Council Cup Road enters You want the sloping side road entering on the left just before the turn in the road. It moves uphill into the forest.) After winding up the hill for 0.8 mile you will see a sign on the left indicating Council Cup. Turn left at that point and follow the road about 0.1 mile to the parking area on the right. You will have to walk the remaining 0.25 mile to the old parking lot. There you have 3 trail choices. The lookout most used will be found by entering the left-most trail. It will wind through a brief forested area and eventually slope downward into a narrow trail that opens into an open area that can probably hold about 20 people comfortably. There is no fencing here and the cliff drops off sharply. Not a good place for children. At the higher level (on PP&L land) the area is fenced at the cliff ledge.

 

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Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00
Updated: