Susquehanna River near White Deer, Pennsylvania (USA)

Susquehanna River near White Deer, Pennsylvania (USA), originally uploaded by Faded Kodachrome.

The Susquehanna River (originally "Sasquesahanough" on the 1612 map by explorer John Smith who traveled up the river from the Chesapeake Bay) is located primarily in Pennsylvania. At approximately 444 mi (715 km) long, it is the longest river on the American east coast and the 16th longest in the United States. This is a view of the west branch of the river near the village of White Deer (map). In the distance upstream is the route 44 bridge to the village of Dewart. That's about one hour north of Harrisburg, the state capitol (which is also located along the Susquehanna).

Geologically speaking, the Susquehanna is one of the oldest rivers in the world, cutting through mountain ridges which which were formed in uplift events of the early Cenozoic era. There is evidence that the flow of the ancient Susquehanna was established early enough that it predated the Appalachian orogeny over 300 million years ago, meaning that the river was in existence well before Pangea broke up and formed the Atlantic Ocean.

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Dawn along the Warrior's Path

Dawn along the Warrior's Path, originally uploaded by Faded Kodachrome.

This photo was taken standing on the ancient Sheshequin Path which ran through the narrow Lycoming Creek valley in north-central Pennsylvania. The Sheshequin was a branch of the ancient Warriors Path used by the Seneca and Iroquois as a short cut from Tioga to the Great Island. Early accounts mention that they used the Sheshequin Path to traverse "the dismal wilderness" of the Lycoming Creek valley bottom. Dense forest, swamp, windfall, and storms made the Iroquois believe a demon had its power in this area.

We pitched our tent near the warrior's path, although its precise location is no longer discernable (map). I took this photo the next morning around 8 am - it was a typical cold, clear September morning and the sun was just starting to illuminate the western hillslopes and burn off the fog that hugged the valley bottom. I can see why the Iroquois felt the way they did about this valley.