Hemlocks to Hellbenders

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.

Hemlocks to Hellbenders is a society podcast hosted by Christian Alexandersen, with 92 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Christian Alexandersen hosts Hemlocks to Hellbenders, a society show with 92 episodes published.

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  Episode #17

  New fish ladder helps native species safely travel the Susquehanna River

  Aug 19, 202641 minS4

  In 1608, English explorer and soldier of fortune John Smith left Jamestown, Virginia, on a mission to chart the upper Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries - including the Susquehanna River. He became the first European to find out that the Susquehanna is non-navigable. That’s because of the many, many obstacles in the mighty Susquehanna. There are countless natural barriers such as rapids and waterfalls. Also, the Susquehanna is famously a mile wide and a foot deep. These are just some of the factors that have prevented development of a continuous commercial waterway. But that wouldn’t stop generations of people from trying. However, no matter how much they tried, no matter how much money they spent, they couldn’t do it. Then, utility companies came calling. If they couldn’t navigate the river, they would dam it and use it to produce electricity. But that created its own problems. Obstructions blocked the paths of fish that needed to swim upriver to get to their spawning grounds. Native species such as American shad and eels were dying at historic numbers. Solutions had to be developed to keep these important populations alive. But nothing has made a serious difference. One dam has a fish elevator that transports fish over the dam. Then, they the fish have to be trucked further up river. Fish passages were created, but older designs have not been incredibly helpful with guiding fish upstream. A new way of thinking was needed. A new kind of passageway was needed. In 2025, Shikellamy State Park became home to one of the largest and most naturalistic fishways on the East Coast. Located at the confluence of the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River, this new naturalistic fish passage would help aquatic life go around the park’s inflatable dam. Let’s learn more about this incredible project. On this episode, I speak with Gabriel Martin and Ben Bender. Gabe is a project civil engineer at Kleinschmidt Group and Ben is the Park Manager at Shikellamy State Park. Be sure to support our 2026 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

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  Episode #16

  Discover Pennsylvania's hidden trails and wild places with Purple Lizard Maps

  Aug 5, 202655 minS4

  There’s something about a trail map that just makes me excited for an adventure. The contour lines, the roads, the trails, the bodies of water, the towns. Trail maps – when made well – keep you safely on the trail. Maps have always been incredibly important - whether you were crossing oceans or just crossing town. But, as technology improved, maps became used less and less. Now, most people rely on their phones to get from place to place. And that works most of the time. But what happens if you don’t have signal or run out of power? You’re stranded in a forest with a useless phone. Not ideal. For generations, hikers have been urged to carry a map with them when they hit the trails. The universally accepted list of the 10 essential items when hiking includes navigation. And I would argue a well-made, locally created map is the best option. The number one reason to carry a map is for safety. When you have a map, you know where you’re going. That’s important when you’re surrounded by trees miles from the nearest town. A well-designed map also builds confidence by making unfamiliar places feel accessible. Beginners are more likely to venture onto trails when they know where they are and where they're going. Experienced hikers use maps to plan longer or more challenging routes. Navigation, safety and building confidence are important. Critical. But, one my favorite aspects of maps is that they encourage exploration. And when a real artist designs one, they guide you on adventures. The author Mark Jenkins once wrote, “Maps encourage boldness. They're like cryptic love letters. They make anything seem possible.” I like that. I really like that. Looking at a map inspires people to discover trails, features, structures, historical places and locations they never knew existed. I can’t help but ask “what is that?,” “how can I see that,” “where does this lead” when looking at a map. Maps are possibilities and possibilities are adventures. And there is no better example of maps leading you on adventures than Purple Lizard Maps . Purple Lizard Maps has set the gold standard for outdoor recreation maps in Pennsylvania and beyond. They combine exceptional cartographic accuracy with a genuine passion for exploration, creating maps that are as beautiful as they are practical. Every edition reflects countless hours of fieldwork, research and thoughtful design, giving hikers, paddlers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts the confidence to venture farther and discover places they might otherwise miss. What truly sets Purple Lizard Maps apart is their ability to tell the story of a landscape. They don't simply mark trails — they reveal scenic overlooks, hidden natural features, historic sites, campsites, public lands, and countless opportunities for adventure. These maps inspire curiosity, encourage exploration, and foster a deeper appreciation for the forests, mountains, rivers, and communities that make each region unique. They have become trusted companions for everyone from first-time hikers to seasoned backpackers, proving that in an age of digital navigation, a thoughtfully crafted paper map remains one of the most valuable tools an explorer can carry. On this episode, I speak with Mike Hermann. Mike is the founder of Purple Lizard Maps. Be sure to support our 2026 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

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  Episode #15

  Laurel Caverns State Park - Descend into one of Pennsylvania's natural wonders

  Jul 22, 202634 minS4

  There’s no law or policy that requires Pennsylvania to keep creating new state parks. Over the history of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – and its various other names through the years – new state parks have been added and subtracted. There have been times when we added dozens of new state parks. Under Dr. Maurice K. Goddard, the Department of Parks and Forests – as it was called then - added 45 new state parks and 130,000 acres of land between 1955 and 1979. Dr. Goddard proposed building a state park within 25 miles of every resident of Pennsylvania. But growth to the state park system slowed down in the 1980s and 90s. The commonwealth entered a phase of improvement – focusing more on upgrading facilities than adding many more parks. We’ve also been in possession of a number of state parks that we eventually relinquished control to another entity. Such as Valley Forge, Independence Mall, Fort Necessity and Brandywine Battlefield. That’s the thing. Depending on state leadership, availability of funds, the economy, political priorities, availability of lands and which governor is in charge, there is no guarantee that we will get new state parks. So when we get a new state park, it’s important that we celebrate. Enter Laural Caverns State Park – Pennsylvania’s 125th state park and its first subterranean park. What started out as a tourist attraction in the southwestern part of the state, is now a state park giving visitors a chance to explore 4 miles of underground passageways. Laurel Caverns is the largest sandstone cave in the world and one of the world’s steepest caves. Guided tours provide visitors with the opportunity to walk or crawl through incredible geologic features. Most of the passage ceilings in the underground labyrinth are between ten and twenty feet high and many as high as 50 feet. This makes it the largest cave in Pennsylvania. And it now belongs to the people of Pennsylvania. How amazing is that?! On this episode I speak with Corie Eckman. Carie is the manager Laurel Caverns State Park. Be sure to support our 2026 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

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  Episode #14

  Loyalsock State Forest - Endless Mountains offer waterfalls, vistas and hikes for your next adventure

  Jul 8, 202629 minS4

  When people find out that I’ve visited every state park, I often get asked the same question. What’s my favorite? And consistently I give the same answer, Worlds End State Park. It’s an easy answer for me since I fell in love with the park the first time I walked into the s-shaped gorge to see it surrounded by tree-covered mountains and boulders. But when it comes to state forests, I haven’t always had an answer. And that’s because I just haven’t spent enough time in them to give an educated answer. That was until 2024. In September of that year, I went on a Slack Pack with the Keystone Trails Association. Slack Packs allow you to get dropped off and picked up at the trial every day while leaving the majority of your gear and meals back at the campsite. Hence, having a slack pack. Over the course of few days, we hiked about 20 miles on the Loyalsock Trail through Loyalsock State Forest. The state forest – which surrounds Worlds End – provided me with everything I wanted. Mountains. Views. Waterfalls. Big beautiful tress. It was the most time I’d ever spent in a Pennsylvania state forest. And, still, the best time. I contend that if you can’t find something unique or special or breathtaking over Loyalsock State Forest’s nearly 115,000 acres, then buddy, you ain’t trying. Loyalsock simply has it all. And all of it is splendid. From the cool rushing waters of Loyalsock Creek, to the beautiful nightsky at High Knob Astronomy Area, there is a lot to take in on the forest. And since it covers three counties in northcentral Pennsylvania, you will have plenty of opportunities to explore new places and find new things to fall in love with. On this episode, I speak with Eric Probert to the podcast. Eric is the district manager at Loyalsock State Forest. Be sure to support our 2026 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

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  Episode #13

  Bilgers Rocks - Create your own adventure through a towering rock city

  Jun 24, 202640 minS4

  What’s the best gift you’ve been given? It’s a tough question. I’ve been fortunate to have received a lot of great gifts over the years. The minibike from my parents. The engraved knife from my brother. The souvenir medal from my wife. And countless others. They’re awesome and they each hold a special place in my heart. But when I learned of the recent gift that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania received, it stopped me in my tracks. In 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it had been given and has added Bilgers Rocks to the Moshannon State Forest. Some of you may be thinking, “Who cares about a bunch of dusty old rocks. That’s not a great gift.” But listen here, you have no idea how amazing this place is. It’s the definition of a hidden gem. Bilgers Rocks is centered around a multi-acre rock formation that brings visitors through a stunning rock city. With little in the way of handrails and safety features, you can walk through towering sandstone blocks, crawl in rock rooms, squeeze between ancient boulders and explore carvings from visitors past. I was in awe the first time I stood on top of and in between these giant walls of rock. It feels like you’re exploring a prehistoric city. Like you’re Indiana Jones searching for treasure. It’s otherworldly and outstanding. And now, a part of our state forest system. So, before we get to the interviews, I want to thank the Bilgers Rocks Association -- for its dedication to preservation, for its steadfast stewardship and for its one-of-a-kind gift. Knowing that Bilgers Rocks will be protected for generations of Pennsylvanians to come makes me and many others so happy. Thank you, so much. On this episode, I speak with John Hecker, Gary Gilmore and Mariah Dunsmore to the podcast. John is the District Manager of the Moshannon State Forest and Gary and Mariah are with the Bilgers Rocks Association. Be sure to support our 2026 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

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