Trail Fest Gravel Course Preview (Part 2)

From Mile 25 to Mile 50

If you missed the description of the short course, which is also the first 25 miles of the long course, please see below or click this link.

The long course picks up at the intersection of North Meadows Road and Bear Meadows Road where you will make a right turn to follow Bear Meadows Road past the namesake Bear Meadows Natural Area.  FYI - the Natural Area was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1966.

It's now time to do a little climbing and you'll know you're close to the top when you reach the hard left just before the crest of the hill.  The climb is worth it as you're rewarded with the next several miles of descending punctuated by several switchbacks though you'll want to be cautious of the loose gravel and braking bumps in places.  The road turns into a bit of a false flat before losing a little more elevation as you approach the left turn on to Stone Creek Road and a short stretch of pavement.

Enjoy the brief break on tarmac as the second big climb of the day awaits.  Make a right turn on Seeger Road at the Alan Seeger Natural Area and you're quickly greeted by a short but very steep section before settling in to a lengthy climb through a beautiful section of forest.  Once at the top, you'll roll along Rag Hollow Road, passing by a great view in both directions along a pipeline cut.  Stay alert though when the road points downward, there is a sharp left upcoming to Kettle Road.

A quick little elevation gain lies ahead as you pass by Sassafras Trail and cross the Huntingdon County/Mifflin County line.  After you crest the hill, it's a very fast descent ahead and since you won't have much time to take in the view, the panoramic view is below.

As things level out and you approach the T-intersection, take a quick right on to Coopers Gap Road, travel a short distance and as you start descending, keep an eye out for the turn to Conklin Road on your left.  Again, a short little bit of elevation gain followed by another long, fast descent before things level out for a few miles.  When the next intersection approaches, be prepared for a left turn on to Spruce Mountain Road. 

A formidable climb of it's own, Spruce Mountain Road winds past several trail heads and hunting camps before what might be the best descent of the day due to the forest views and the curves that keep things interesting.  The road finishes with a little uphill to the next T and a left turn on to Stone Creek Road.  A gentle grade and good road surface will be welcomed at this point as you roll past Crowfield Road and the sign marking Penn Roosevelt State Park.  Continuing on Stone Creek Road is largely flat and fast all the way back through the Alan Seeger area and the retracing of your tire tracks to Bear Meadows Road.  

This road should look very familiar with a bit of a flat section followed by a grind back up past the popular Detweiler Trail and the same switchbacks and braking bumps you encountered on the way down.  The good news though is as you crest the hill on this climb, you're basically done climbing for the day and it's a very fast ride past Bear Meadows Natural Area again and zipping down Bear Meadows Road gravel, then pavement, and finally back to the start/finish area at Tussey Mountain.