Winkelblech Vista
High on the side of Winkelblech Mountain this roadside vista overlooks Route 45 as it climbs through the mountains on its way towards Woodward, below beside the highway are the Hairy John Picnic Area and Voneida Run. Directly across from the view are Sand Mountain in front of Bear Mountain, Bear Gap and the North Prong of Thick Mountain. The South Prong of Thick Mountain and Paddy Mountain are visible further back in the distance.
Parking Lot GPS Coordinates: 40° 54′ 56.609″ N, 77° 17′ 38.039″ W
Facilities: None
Elevation: ~1930′
Restrictions: Not Applicable
Nearby Trails:
- John’s Trail
- Stitzer Gap Trail
- White Mountain Ridge Trail
- Mid State Trail
Nearby Attractions:
- R. B . Winter State Park
- Penn’s Cave
- The Hook Natural Area
- Joyce Kilmer Natural Area
The Legend Of Hairy John
Perhaps the most interesting part of this section of the State Forest here isn’t the vista but the Hairy John Picnic Area named after Hairy John Voneida, a hermit and mountain man who lived nearby while seeking vindication of his innocence following the grisly murder of his wife in Loganton while John was away attempting to join the army following the outbreak of the Mexican – American War. John left Loganton after being freed when neither his guilt nor innocence could be proved and moved to a small cabin near the picnic area and vowed not to cut his hair or beard or return to his home until he was found innocent, he was never vindicated and spent the next 40 years of his life at the cabin in the mountains.
When the Civil War began John once again attempted to join the army but was turned away, despite his reputation as a skilled marksman, due to his small stature. Shortly afterwards a preachers niece, Twila Montray, pitying him began to cook for John and care for his cabin, the two eventually married and provided travellers with a place to rest and eat as they travelled on the turnpike where Route 45 is now. After the Confederate surrender and the ending of the Civil War Union troops from Centre County were marching on the highway on their way to Bellefonte to be mustered out, as they neared John’s cabin they were met by John and Twila who served them cold water, gingerbread, cakes and coffee.
Living with Twila the rest of his days Hairy John died sometime around 1890, some stories say that Twila and he were brutally beaten to death by ruffians or robbers and that the spirit of Twila still resides in the Narrows along Route 45 between Penns Valley and Buffalo Valley watching over John in death as she did in life.
In 1920 Governor Gifford Pinochot stopped at the spring near the remains of Hairy Johns cabin and proclaimed the nearby area to be Hairy John’s Park after being told the legend of Hairy John. When it was proposed that the name to be changed to the less controversial Voneida Park the two-time Pennsylvania Governor and legendary forester proclaimed “Let the name stand, whiskers and all”.
Panoramic View of Winkelblech Vista.
The Wilds Of Pennsylvania 