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

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.

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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.