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Ride, Hike, or Run Options (yes, more!)

4/24/2020

Several of the previous routes have relied on use of the Mid-State Trail or other hiking-only trail route options. This time around we have two options that are suitable for a mountain bike, depending on how much climbing or how many rock gardens you care to navigate. The longer, Thickhead Mountain route below might be more than you want to bite off for a hike or run but you can also shorten it a bit on foot by utilizing the Standing Stone Trail (shown in yellow on the map.

Take note, we're likely to experience some rain over the next few days and both Long Mountain (descent portion) on the Thickhead Loop and Sassafras on the Bigelow Loop tend to hold water for quite some time and the trails can be easily damaged with high traffic.

Thickhead Mountain Loop

Park at the New Allen Seeger Picnic Area parking lot, which is a less crowded lot, that will allow recreators to practice social distancing
The lot can accommodate 10 vehicles
Thickhead Mountain Wild Area is 4,886 acres of undeveloped mixed oak forest that surrounds the Detweiler and Bear Meadows Natural Areas.
Detweiler Run and Allen Seeger Natural Areas features old growth White Pine and Eastern Hemlock with a dense rhododendron understory.
10.5-mile Biking Loop: From the lot proceed southwest to Bear Meadows Road. Make a right onto Bear Meadows Road heading north, this is a 1.75-mile climb to Detweiler Run Road. The first mile averages a 4% grade but the second mile reaches grades up to 10%. Detweiler Run Road continues with a steady ascent, 800-feet in three miles, to Thickhead Mountain Road which is a gradual descent to Long Mountain Trail. Long Mountain Trail is approximately 3 miles long and is a steep climb from Thickhead Mountain Road then another gradual descent to Stone Creek Road. It is a combination of single and double-track trail and there are usually wet sections towards the bottom of the trail this time of year. Follow Stone Creek Road through the Allen Seeger Natural Area back to the New Allen Seeger Picnic Area parking lot.

Bigelow Trail Loop

Three-mile hiking or biking loop that should allow recreators to comply with social distancing guidance
Two to three vehicles will be able to park along Kettle Road near the Sassafras Trailhead or along Rag Hollow Road near the Bigelow Trailhead
Access Rag Hollow Road from the southwest off State Route 305 near Greenwood Furnace State Park.
Access Kettle Road from the northeast via the eastbound lane of U.S. Route 322: make a right onto Stone Creek Road, left onto Spruce Mountain Road, right onto Conklin Road, right onto Coopers Gap Road, and finally a left onto Kettle Road. (Note: On your return trip you cannot make a left turn onto U.S. Route 322 from Stone Creek Road.)
Three-mile loop: From Kettle Road proceed northeast on Sassafras Trail. This is a one-mile leg to Pigpile Trail through a dry-oak stand with a dense mountain laurel understory. This section of trail crosses into Mifflin County from Centre County. Make a right onto Pigpile Trail (aka Sassy Pig Trail) along the Stone Mountain ridgeline and cross back into Centre County. Pigpile trail is rocky but features a vista of the Kishacoquillas Valley. Make the next right onto Bigelow Trail which leads to Rag Hollow Road. At Rag Hollow Road make a right up the hill back to Kettle Road. This loop is relatively level with some rock gardens along Pigpile Trail.

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Two More Hike or Run Options

4/23/2020

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Since we still find ourselves needing to practice good social/physical distancing and nothing beats some time in the forest, here are a few more suggestions for other areas to explore. As previously mentioned, many of the go-to trailheads are experiencing more visitors than normal or that they are able to handle safely so these options may allow for a more clear trail. Take the time to spread out and try a new route.

Penn Roosevelt Hiking Loop

Penn Roosevelt State Park is a small quiet state park located within Rothrock State Forest that should allow visitors to follow social distancing guidance.
The park is located off Crowfield Road which can be accessed off Route 322 from the northeast or Stone Creek Road from the southwest.
The parking lot can accommodate 15 vehicles
3.5-mile loop: From the parking lot head southeast on the Mid-State Trail and cross two foot-bridges. Continue east on the Mid-State Trail for approximately 1.3 miles to reach the intersection of Tar Pit Trail. The Mid-State Trail is a well maintained hiking-only trail that uses switchbacks to climb to the top of Broad Mountain, a 600-foot change in elevation. Turn left onto Tar Pit Trail which is a 1/2 mile hike down the mountain to Broad Mountain West Loop Trail. The Tar Pit Trail is a steep rocky descent back down to the headwaters of Standing Stone Creek. Broad Mountain Trail is a relatively level, one-mile hike back to Penn Roosevelt State Park following the Standing Stone Creek. This trail is occasionally wet in sections.

Detweiler Run Natural Area

Explore the Detweiler Run Natural Area and practice social distancing with these loop options
Park along Bear Meadows Road near the Detweiler Run Road Gate. Please do not block the gate
This area can accommodate 1-2 vehicles
Bear Meadows Road can only be accessed from Alan Seeger Road at this time because the bog bridge in the Bear Meadows Natural Area is under construction.
Detweiler Run Natural Area features old growth White Pine and Hemlock with a dense rhododendron understory.
2.25-mile Loop: Proceed northeast on Detweiler Run Road, a gated administrative road, for approximately one-mile to Axehandle Trail. Make a right onto Axehandle Trail which is a spur trail that leads to the Mid-State Trail. Make another right onto the Mid-State Trail and it will lead back to the parking area.
5.75-mile Loop: Proceed northeast on Detweiler Run Road for approximately 2.75 miles, a steady 5% grade, to Shingle Path. This is the northern boundary of the Detweiler Run Natural Area. Make a right onto Shingle Path and head south for approximately 500 feet to intersect with the Mid-State Trail. Make a right onto the Mid-State Trail, a single-track trail, that follows Detweiler Run through the Natural Area back to Bear Meadows Road.

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Hiking Options (4 of 4)

4/7/2020

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Last but not least we have an option that's just a few minutes down the road from the popular Musser Gap and Shingletown Gap trailheads. A tight network of trails allows you to mix things up however you like without ever being too far from your vehicle.

Kepler Road

Low-density recreation option conducive to social distancing guidance
Parking Lot located on Kepler Rd, off State Route 26, south of Pine Grove Mills
Lot will accommodate 6 vehicles
Provides access to a network of shared-use trails consisting mostly of smooth single and double-track trails
Moderate changes in elevation
Trails are not blazed but do have signage and are maintained
Views of State College available off of the Doc Detour Trail
Loops can range in distance from one to four miles
Loops consist of trails that meander through the woods, follow ridge tops (some smooth and some very rocky), utilize old logging roads, and also follow utility lines providing open wildlife viewing corridors.

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Hiking Options (3 of 4)

4/7/2020

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Next up is an option that lends itself to one short loop of low difficulty, relying on a solid stretch of Pine Swamp road, as well a much longer and more difficult option with great views. Parking is quite limited but if you're considering the long route, this starting point may avoid the big crowds that start at the Jo Hays vista

Pine Swamp Road

Low-density recreation option conducive to social distancing guidance
Pull off located at bottom of gated camp lane along Pine Swamp Road, off State Route 26, south of Pine Grove Mills, north of Whipple Dam State Park
Pull off will accommodate one maybe two vehicles
Provides access to two loops incorporating hiking-only, shared-use trails, and state forest roads
Two-mile loop: Ironstone Trail to Mid-State Trail to Pine Swamp Rd
- Relatively flat through low ground that can get wet at times, half of loop is on Pine Swamp Road. The average difficulty is easy.
Eight-mile loop: Ironstone Trail to Mid-State Trail to Jackson Trail to Mid-State Trail to Ironstone Trail
- The MST and Jackson Trail are very rocky in places, there is a very steep climb and descent to and from Jackson Trail. The average difficulty is difficult.
Interesting rock formations and great views from Jackson Trail

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Hiking Options (2 of 4)

4/4/2020

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Continuing the list of trailheads you may not be familiar with or have considered for your next outing, we have something a little further out from State College. This particular portion of the Rothrock trail network is popular with the mountain bike crowd but makes for a good hike as well.

Coopers Gap Road

Low-density recreation option conducive to social distancing guidance
Parking area is located at the top off of Coopers Gap Road near the gas line
Lot provides access to shared-use trail system and multiple loops
3.5-mile loop (distance approximate): Dutch Alvin Trail to Brush Ridge Trail to Chestnut Spring Trail to Dutch Alvin Trail
- Dutch Alvin Trail is a mostly smooth flowing single-track trail through the woods with a moderate grade taking you down the mountain to Coopers Gap Road and Brush Ridge Trail. The western portion of Brush Ridge Trail follows the contour through Mountain Laurel and sections of open woods to Chestnut Spring Trail, which is a steep climb to Dutch Alvin Trail. This section of Dutch Alvin goes through a timber sale full of regeneration and low-bush blueberry back to the parking area across Coopers Gap Road near the gas line.
Five-mile loop (distance approximate): Start down (north) Dutch Alvin Trail to Coopers Gap Road to Brush Ridge Trail to Coopers Gap Road to Brush Ridge Trail to Chestnut Spring Trail to Dutch Alvin Trail
- The eastern section of Brush Ridge Trail follows a stream, a tributary of Standing Stone Creek, through dark woods back to Coopers Gap Road. It can be wet at times and there are some rock and root obstacles.

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Ride, Hike, or Run Options (yes, more!)

Thickhead Mountain Loop

Bigelow Trail Loop

Two More Hike or Run Options

Penn Roosevelt Hiking Loop

Detweiler Run Natural Area

Hiking Options (4 of 4)

Kepler Road

Hiking Options (3 of 4)

Pine Swamp Road

Hiking Options (2 of 4)

Coopers Gap Road

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