Hemlocks to Hellbenders

Christian Alexandersen
  • 5.0 (26)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Hemlocks to Hellbenders is an award-winnning podcast hosted by Christian Alexandersen highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors. Our episodes feature engaging conversations with park managers, forest rangers, scientists, educators, outdoor recreationalists, volunteers, officials and more that help you plan your next adventure in the Commonwealth's incredible parks and forests. 

  1. 17H AGO

    Trough Creek State Park – Where rugged cliffs, creeks and waterfalls shape a wild landscape

    When I was on my journey of running one mile in all-then 121 Pennsylvania state parks in 2021, I took notes after every run. It was an effort to make sure I would remember my experiences. I’d take notes like, I spotted a fox here. Or I fell there. Or I want to hike the full trail here.  But one of the most important pieces of information I recorded was my overall feeling of the park. It’s difficult to get a sense of a natural landscape in just one mile, often running half a mile one way and then running half a mile back the same way. But some places just stand out and beg to be explored some more.  Here’s what I wrote about Trough Creek State Park on March 13, 2021. “Well, this place is incredible. I have to come back.” It only takes a few seconds at Trough Creek to realize it’s special. And that it deserves more time to be explored.  You even get that sense by just driving through the park. Traveling through the scenic gorge along the Great Trough Creek you see signs for Balanced Rock, Rainbow Falls, Ice Mine, Copperas Rocks, Paradise Furnace Cemetery and the suspension bridge. Your mind can’t help but get excited by the idea of what the heck all these things are and how you can go see them. For outdoors people it feels like entering a theme park. What ride do I go on first?  And with so many of these wonderful features, you’d expect it to be huge. Some place you’d need a week to explore. But that isn’t the case. At less than 600 acres with only 12 miles of hiking trails, you can see most if not all of it in a weekend.  But this isn’t a one and done sort of park. Once you visit Trough Creek, it sinks its hooks into you. Its trails, its views, it’s features beckon you for many more visits.  Despite the fact that Trough Creek is more than two hours from me, I’ve been there multiple times while passing other great state parks along the way. It is just that damn cool. And no matter how many times I’ve been there, I want to keep going back. And that’s about the biggest complement I can give to a state park.  On this episode, I speak with Michael Garbinsky. Michael is the environmental education specialist at Trough Creek State Park.  Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Discover Clarion County Go Laurel Highlands  Support the show Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    30 min

  2. FEB 4

    Pymatuning State Park - Explore the largest lake in Pennsylvania, where ducks walk on the backs of fish

    Pymatuning State Park is big in every sense of the word. It is the largest state park in Pennsylvania. Its Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in Pennsylvania. And it’s one of the most visited state parks with more than three and a half million visitors a year. But just because it has these big qualities does not mean you’ll be unable to find your own peaceful spot at Pymatuning. For every space taken up by a family BBQing, there are nooks and crannies that allow you to explore the park that straddles the Ohio and Pennsylvania state lines. And while there are plenty of great ways to discover the park on land, like by hiking or biking or even playing disc golf, this park needs to be explored by the water. The park’s crowning jewel is it’s 17,088-acre reservoir.   The Reservoir plays the perfect host for sailboats, motorboats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. The park has three marinas and three concession areas where you can rent a boat for the day. There’re also numerous boat launches located in both Ohio and Pennsylvania to get you on to the water safely.  While in the water, you have the opportunity to explore the stunning beauty that this park has to offer. You can cast out lines and fish all day or simply paddle between the numerous islands.  I can just imagine waking up early, and getting my kayak on the water. Silently paddling between islands as I take in the sounds of the birds and swaying trees around me. A perfect peaceful paddle.  And you may be thinking at this point, “Christian, why haven’t you talked about the most well-known feature of Pymatuning State Park? Where the ducks walk on the backs of fish.” Don’t worry, we’re getting there.  On this episode, I speak with Jared McGary. Jared is the environmental education specialist at Pymatuning State Park. Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Discover Clarion County Go Laurel Highlands  Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    55 min

  3. JAN 21

    Celebrating Pennsylvania's historic place in America's 250th birthday

    The story of the United States of America cannot be told without Pennsylvania. Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell. Benjamin Franklin. George Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware. The Battle of Brandywine. And Valley Forge.  Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State because it refers to the central stone in an arch that holds all other stones in place, symbolizing strength and stability. Pennsylvania was the hub of political and economic activity during the colonial period and played a pivotal role in American history.  Pennsylvania – it’s people, its industries, its thinkers, it’s revolutionaries, its influence, it’s morals and its resources – serve as the bedrock of these United States. And throughout this year, we are going to be celebrating our place in history as part of the 250th Anniversary of the United States.  The semiquincentennial – as it’s known – will be celebrated in the original 13 colonies as well as throughout the entire country. But, you know, we’re here to talk about Pennsylvania.  While so much of our colonial history took place in and around Philadelphia, America 250 PA will be highlighting the incredible contributions of all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. From Lancasters farmers to Pittsburgh’s factory workers. From the fisherman in Erie to the coal miners of Lehigh Valley.  I’m a history lover, I don’t hide this fact. Give me a book or documentary series about the American Revolution or Civil War and I’m a happy camper. But you don’t have to be a history buff to care about this year’s historic celebrations. This upcoming celebration serves as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the founding of this amazing Commonwealth and country. There’s going to be concerts, fireworks, educational programs, lecture series, family events, volunteer opportunities and so much more.  On this episode, I speak with Matt Darragh. Matt is the Chief of Staff for America250PA. Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Discover Clarion County Go Laurel Highlands  Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    53 min

  4. JAN 7

    Exploring ancient rock carvings in the Susquehanna River with Paul Nevin

    Hundreds of years ago, a group of Native Americans living along the lower Susquehanna River made an indelible mark on the valley. At what is now known as Safe Harbor, they made hundreds of carvings into the rocks found in the middle of the river. Animals, bird and animal tracks, directional symbols, teaching or storytelling images, humans and anthropomorphic images, spiritual symbols and geometric and abstract designs were painstakingly carved into the boulder strewn landscape of the river. From the banks of the river, the sites look like any of the rocks found in the river. But up close, these stunning petroglyphs offer a window into a fascinating culture that we still know very little about.  Despite Native Americans being driven from their homes, villages and hunting grounds. Despite countless floods. Despite dam construction. Despite pollution. Despite industry. And despite man’s constant need to exert his will over the river, these magnificent petroglyphs remain. Big Indian Rock. Little Indian Rock. Circle Rock. Turkey Track Rock. Eagle Rock and Conestoga Rock. Right in the middle of the Susquehanna River, as they have for hundreds of years. These sites are sacred spaces for Native Americans. The Safe Harbor Petroglyphs are a rare, direct connection to Indigenous peoples who lived along the Susquehanna River long before European contact. For many Native communities, these carvings are not just historical artifacts but living cultural expressions—messages left by ancestors that carry spiritual meaning. Their location along the river, a vital life-giving force, further reinforces their sacred nature as places of reverence, storytelling and ancestral presence. And unlike many pieces of indigenous rock art, they are accessible to the public. But that accessibility comes with a responsibility.  These carvings are irreplaceable cultural and spiritual expressions created by Indigenous peoples, and even small actions—touching the rock, climbing on it, or disturbing the surrounding area—can cause permanent damage. Visitors also have a responsibility to listen and learn. Approaching the petroglyphs with humility means acknowledging that this site holds meaning far deeper than what we may fully understand, and that it represents living cultures whose histories and voices have too often been ignored or erased. On this episode, I speak with Paul Nevin. Paul is recognized as the leading authority of rock art of the lower Susquehanna River and is the author of the “A Guide to the Safe Harbor Petroglyphs.”  Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Discover Clarion County Go Laurel Highlands  Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    1h 17m

  5. SEASON 4 TRAILER

    Hemlocks to Hellbenders Season 4 Trailer

    Welcome, fellow explorers. My name is Christian Alexandersen and I’m the host of Hemlocks to Hellbenders, a podcast highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors. Season four of Hemlocks to Hellbenders is shaping up to be our most exciting yet and I can’t wait to take you along for the journey in 2026. We’ll be exploring some of Pennsylvania’s most incredible parks and forests with the people who know them best: park and forest managers, outdoor educators, historians, authors, conservationists and volunteers who are deeply passionate about this place we call home. This season, conversations will range from outdoor recreation and backpacking to conservation, wildlife and plant management, Indigenous history, volunteerism, and the stories of the people who shaped Pennsylvania’s landscapes. If exploring wild places, learning their stories, and planning your next adventure excites you, you’re in the right place. Together, we’ll dig into hidden gems and help you experience Pennsylvania’s public lands in a deeper, more meaningful way. I launched Hemlocks to Hellbenders in 2023 to inspire people to spend more time in Pennsylvania’s parks and forests, to stand up for their protection, and to help make the outdoors a more welcoming place for everyone. I hope you’ll join us in that mission. I’m excited to be bringing back four advertisers for the 2026 season; the Keystone Trails Association, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, Purple Lizard Maps and Sisters' Sunflowers. And I’m thrilled to announce two new supporters of the podcast, Discover Clarion County and Go Laurel Highlands.  Our fourth season kicks off on Jan. 7 with an episode on the Native American rock carvings found in Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna River. I look forward to sharing our new guests and episodes with you in 2026. Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    1 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    Feeling posh? Try one of Pennsylvania's new state park glamping sites

    For a long time, there’s been this mostly unspoken rule that “real” outdoor experiences have to be rugged. You’ve got to rough it, hike ten miles in the rain, sleep on the ground and eat beans from a can — or else it somehow doesn’t count.  Luckily, that’s changing. More and more people are discovering that you don’t have to give up comfort to connect with the outdoors. Here in Pennsylvania – especially in state parks - that change has been evident. Instead of only offering tent sites, state parks have cottages, cabins, yurts and other accommodations. Many offer amenities like stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, tables and chairs. No longer are you forced to pack up everything you own for a weekend in the woods. You can book a comfortable accommodation AND still be in nature. However, these upgraded accommodations still have rubbed people the wrong way.  It isn’t “real’ camping. What does that even mean anyway? Real camping? Does it mean sleeping on the ground. Waking up with a sore back and condensation in the tent. Cold and miserable. No thanks.  It’s that sort of attitude that I despise in the outdoors. You’re not a real hiker unless. You’re not a real hunter unless. You’re not really camping unless. It’s such a pointless and divisive way of thinking.  Thankfully, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not think that way. They are more considered with getting people outdoors and meeting them where they are in their outdoor recreation journey. As opposed to bending them to their will. That’s why I was so excited when they announced in 2025 that they were partnering with Timberline Glamping Company to bring glamping to seven Pennsylvania state parks in 2026. The public would have the chance to reserve one of the 54 fully outfitted sites —no gear needed.  Glamping will be available in Pymatuning, Hills Creek, Promised Land, Hickory Run, French Creek, Codorus and Laurel Hill State Parks.  Timberline will provide the beds, heat, air conditioning, coffee maker, linens, pillows and comfortable accommodations. All you have to bring is an open mind and a sense of adventure.  These wonderful glamping spots are creating space for everyone to experience the magic of nature in their own way. By making the outdoors accessible for everyone- from people who don’t own camping gear to those physically unable to sleep in a tent - glamping is opening doors, breaking down barriers and reimagining what it means to “get outside.”  Because nature belongs to all of us — whether you’re sleeping under the stars or under a heated canopy. On this episode I speak with Nathan and Rebeka Self, founders of Timberline Glamping Company, and Kaitlyn Gundersen-Thorpe, manager of the French Creek State Park Complex.  Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    44 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center - How one tree led to a thriving outdoor classroom

    In Pennsylvania, every state park has its purpose. Allegheny Islands shows people what undeveloped islands once looked like on the river. Colton Point features stunning views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. And Pine Grove Furnace highlights the iron making industry crucial to Pennsylvania and America’s growth. But are there any places set aside for learning and study. As it turns out, there is. One such place is Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. Located in Berks County, Nolde Forest was established as the first environmental education center operated by DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks in the 1970s. It is dedicated to helping visitors and community members develop sound environmental ethics based upon science. The park has provided a wide variety of nature-based educational programs for students, teachers, organizations and families. Students take part in guided, hands-on activities that let them explore unique ecosystems and deepen their awareness, appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. Nolde Forest also functions as an outdoor laboratory for biologists, college students and natural resource professionals conducting a wide range of environmental studies and research projects. Topics that have been studied in the park include everything from water quality and songbirds to small mammals and reptiles.  But I know what you’re thinking, “Christian, bubbie, I’m not a child or a scientist. Is there anything for me there?” Don’t worry, I got you, player.  As much as Nolde Forest is about serious study and learning, it also about recreation. The park has hiking trails, historic structures, ponds, streams and more to explore.   On this episode, I speak with Brent Erb. Brent is the center manager at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center.  Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    32 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Under the surface of the Keystone State with geologist Russell Losco

    One of the strangest things about getting older has been the shift in my interests. Despite being intensely curious as a kid, I never cared about nature growing up. I didn’t climb trees or capture bugs or explore creeks.  But as I’ve gotten older all that’s changed. Which has made me feel like I’m constantly catching up to those that spent their early lives trekking through the woods, paddling on rivers and exploring the natural world.  I often think to myself, “Am I too old to start learning how to identify trees? What’s the point of birding if it’s going to take me 20 years to catch up? Is it sad that I do a podcast about nature while still knowing so little about it?” A little imposter syndrome mixed in there, of course.  Luckily, my positive self-talk tamps those thoughts down long enough to embrace my curiosity. And since I’ve spent so much time outside, I’ve found more subjects I want to learn about. One of those topics is geology.  Who else can relate to walking around and finding a cool looking rock or fossil and thinking, “I wonder what this is?” I know I do it all the time.  You can’t spend much time in Pennsylvania without running into examples of incredible geology. From the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains to the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers, Pennsylvania is packed with geologic features.  State parks like Leonard Harrison, Ricketts Glen, Worlds End, McConnells Mill and Hickory Run are just a few state lands that have unique rocks, boulders, minerals, fossils and cliffs on full, beautiful display. Quartz, slate, shale, limestone, sandstone and marble are woven throughout the Commonwealth.  And they can be found, literally, everywhere. Under our feet and above our heads. On the sides of the road and in the middle of forests. Rocks are just cool. But, as I’ve said, I don’t know very much about them. So I wanted to interview someone who did.  On this episode I speak with Russell Losco. Russ is a soil scientist & geologist adjunct professor at West Chester University and the host of the PCPG's A Poorly Sorted but Well Rounded Series.  Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors: Keystone Trails Association Purple Lizard Maps Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Sisters' Sunflowers Support the show Visit our website to learn more about the podcast, to purchase merch and to find out about our incredible sponsors. Follow us on Instagram and Meta to stay connected. Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen Music: Jon Sauer Graphics: Matt Davis

    1h 6m
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About

Hemlocks to Hellbenders is an award-winnning podcast hosted by Christian Alexandersen highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors. Our episodes feature engaging conversations with park managers, forest rangers, scientists, educators, outdoor recreationalists, volunteers, officials and more that help you plan your next adventure in the Commonwealth's incredible parks and forests. 

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Alexandersen
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hemlocks to Hellbenders
  • Show Website
    Hemlocks to Hellbenders

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