Fishing Creek Nature Preserve: First Steps On Ice

I bought the Cruiser on a Tuesday and by Thursday night (January 30^th, 2025) I was already trusting it with my dignity on an ice-covered goat path. That is the peculiar optimism of new-to-you ownership. The paint’s already got some swirls and scratches, so… Send it!

OnX showed just one trail within an hour of me, out by Holtwood. The turn-by-turn started in the serene Susquehannock State Park and dropped through paved hairpins to a gravel ribbon where Fishing Creek cuts the road 3 times on concrete slabs.

“Easy,” it said.

Like a public-access tutorial level with minimal consequences.

I left Lancaster after dinner at 8:45 and headed south.

Nine days before, on January 21, about six inches of white and fluffy dropped, from New Holland to East Petersburg, which means north-facing hollows kept their shine long after the salt trucks punched their timecards. By 8:53 pm on January 30 the air was a crisp 34 degrees, with light wind and a mostly clear sky. (WGAL, Weather Spark)

FJ, Meet Fishing Creek Nature Preserve

Out past the last porch light, the factory headlights might as well have been whale-oil lanterns. The weak, yellow beams reflected off a sign I’ve learned to love: No Winter Maintenance.

6 inches of snow through 9 days of partial melt, refreeze, and equally adventurous drivers and the trail became a hard packed, NHL-level practice spot.

Creek corridors hold cold longer than a scorned partner, which is exactly how you get a skating rink on a trail and a grin in the windshield’s reflection.

I got to the first ford and saw just how deep the hard pack had become. Three or four inches down into a quick moving stream, five or six inches back up. I dropped carefully but knew I’d need to carry a little speed to get back up the other side.

The trail beyond was slick, glossy, and narrow, lined with hemlock unseeable on the moonless night.

I tip-toed tensely to the second crossing but chose to keep both the truck and my reputation intact. The 72-point turn I executed would bore an audience, but it was the smart move when faced with rushing water alone in the winter with no signal.

Rhythm, not Volume

Out here, adventure isn’t volume, it’s rhythm. The knob doesn’t need to be turned all the way to the right to get that thrill. A tune hummed below the breath while you do something dangerous, difficult, and rewarding.

Small inputs, simple lines, and the humility to reverse out before the story gets expensive.

If there is a creed in that, it’s ancient but practical: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. On sketchy trails it begins with measured throttle tip-in and leads to decisions that get you home.

The Part Where We Act Like Grownups

The Lancaster Conservancy calls Fishing Creek a preserve, which is a diplomatic way of saying “behave yourself.” Treat the trail not like a toy you borrow, but a tool you own. Cut your teeth here but leave the braggadocio at home.

Live mindfully. Leave quietly. The trail should look the same through the windshield as it does in the rearview.

Final Thoughts

What I learned, besides the limits of late-halogen-era lighting, is that capability only counts when it comes wrapped in judgment. I went in and came out a rookie with a gold star in good judgment.

It was a perfectly fine night. No trophy, no drama, just the first entry in the field notes.

When, Where, Conditions

When: Jan 30, 2025 from 8:30-10:30 pm near Lancaster, about 34°F, mostly clear, light wind. Shaded creek cuts stay icy even when air temps flirt with freezing.

Route: Public gravel road along Fishing Creek with three shallow fords on concrete slabs, wending away from Susquehannock State Park. Remote, narrow in places, easy when water is low. (onX Maps, Lancaster Conservancy)

Backdrop: Susquehannock State Park sits on a wooded plateau with river overlooks worth a daylight return. (Pennsylvania Government)

Stream note: Fishing Creek is designated high-quality cold-water habitat supporting wild trout. Tread lightly. (Lancaster Conservancy)

Recent snow: Jan 21 storm dropped roughly 5.5 to 6.3 inches around the county, which helps explain lingering ice.

Sky: Waxing crescent ~2% and already set by 7:17 pm, so moonless dark at go-time. (Time and Date)