Hiking Options (2 of 4)

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.