PAHikes.com - Hiking in Central Pennsylvania and Around the State

Hiking in Central Pennsylvania and Around the State

CLIMBING UP INDIAN STEPS by Scott	6/19/2009

Branching off of the Mid State Trail near PA Furnace Road, passing through the Stone Valley Recreation Area, and reconnecting with the MST near the Beaver Pond on Shaver's Creek is the blue-blazed Ironstone Trail. At the start of the trail is a section known as the Indian Steps. Probably not built by indians, these steps made of stone climb up the south face of Tussey Mountain. Having hiked in the area for over four years, I had not to date ventured onto the Indian Steps. This all changed with our latest after-work hike outing. Read all about our outing and view some of the pictures from the hike as well.

VIEWING THE FALLS ON BOHEN TRAIL by Scott	6/3/2009

My old hiking buddy Mark was up from South Carolina for a visit this week. Couldn't pass up an opportunity to go for a hike with him while he was here, so a hike we did. Since he didn't come prepared for an overnight excursion we decided to head up Pine Creek and do a day hike somewhere. It seems that the road took us to Blackwell so we decided to take a short hike up the old Mid State Trail, now the Bohen Trail, and view some of the waterfalls found along the trail.

A STROLL ACROSS THE TOP OF GRASS MOUNTAIN by Scott	5/31/2009

There is a trail that connects Penn Roosevelt State Park to the Alan Seeger Natural Area via a route over Grass Mountain. Curiously enough, this trail is not called Grass Mountain Trail but is called Long Mountain Trail. Long Mountain runs from Muttersbaugh Gap, about 3 miles east of Penn Roosevelt and ends near Poe Paddy State Park. My guess is that this is the only remaining section of what was once a longer trail, one that actually traversed Long Mountain. View some of the photo and read all about this hike as we check out this mysteriously named trail.

SHINGLETOWN GAP - BALD KNOB TO THE MST by Scott	5/17/2009

Another adventure in the Rothrock State Forest had Tim and I exploring some of the trails in the Shingletown Gap area. These trails are located the fartherest from the main trailhead, so we decided upon a secondary trailhead for this hike, just off Laurel Run Road. With climbs to the top of two ridge lines, this hike took us from Bald Knob to the Mid State Trail on top of Tussey Mountain. Read all about our hike, view pictures, and learn more about our most recent outing.

PAHIKES GOES INTERACTIVE by Scott	5/7/2009

In case you didn't know, PAHikes.com allows you to share your thoughts and rate trails listed on PAHikes.com. On specific trail "overview" pages, such as those for Black Forest Trail or Golden Eagle Trail, you are encouraged to share your opinion about the trail. You can rate the trail on a scale of 1 to 5 as well as post comments about your experience. Your comments will appear on the trail page and may even appear on the PAHikes home page. Also, we have just launched "Google Friend Connect" at PAHikes.com. By using Google Friend Connect, you can become a "member" of PAHikes.com. Apart from being a member and posting comments, soon you will also be able to leave feedback and ratings on any of the 90 hikes posted on this website. With time, more features will be added to enhance the social aspect of PAHikes.com, so stay tuned.

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PAHIKES.COM VISITORS RATE PENNSYLVANIA TRAILS
Dave Doyle of Erie, PA rated the Black Forest Trail a 5 out of 5!
	After two section hikes, completed a circuit hike 4/16-4/18. Used the new guide and map (10/08) by Chuck Dillion of Pine Creek Outfitters. Great vistas, bio-diversity, water falls, scenic streams and camping. Has pretty much everything some PA hikes have only one or two of. Difficult, but well worth the effort. I do have some hints for those thinking of doing this trail. Practice every ultra light technique you know of. The pounds can really be felt on the frequent ascents/descents. I found hiking poles to be indispensable aids on this trail. The high water routes are there for a reason, use them if it has been wet. Skip the leisurely lunch and take shorter and more frequent stops. This will allow you to enjoy the many vistas. Plan on 4 days to really appreciate the trail. Highly Recommended.

Tom Van Etten of Latham, NY rated the Chuck Keiper Trail a 4 out of 5!
	Just did this trail last week (whole loop in 3 days). Lots of views although sometimes broken. Nice campsites. Some problem with stinging nettles in gorges, especially Burns Run area. Also, almost stepped on a rattlesnake in that same area. A nice hike, just need to take it slow on some of the relatively steep descents. Very few people (I only saw one other person the entire time).

Steve Florio of Boalsburg, PA rated the Golden Eagle Trail a 5 out of 5!
	Hiked on 3.22.09. Excellent trail, one of the better that i've hiked in PA, if not the best. It took us just over 5 hours, but we stopped for quite a few pictures of the scenery along the way--i'm thinking we could have done it in four had we not cared to stop and look around, but what's the point then? We did hike it 'backwards', going up toward Raven's Horn first and then decending to Wolf Run, and then out Bonnell, as we were advised by some GET vets. Take a lunch and have a rest at the Beulahland Vista. I plan to get back there when the foliage is at peak. Enjoy.

Why PAHikes.com?

In looking for information on hikes in and around Central Pennsylvania, I found that most web sites that had information about hiking did not provide me with enough details. Most Pennsylvania hiking web sites told me to refer to a book on hiking if I wanted details on the hike. All I wanted was a map and directions on how to get to the trail.

Thus the birth of PAHikes.com. On this web site you will find detailed maps for the hikes I have done as well as hiking information such as length, elevation traversed, hiking times, as well as direction and coordinates to the trailhead. And of course, pictures and trail commentaries. If you've hiked any of the trails listed on this site you can post your review of the trail and let others know if you enjoyed the trail or found it too difficult.

I hope you find PAHikes.com a useful and beneficial website.

Happy Hiking!

#	Date of Hike	Trail	Location	Length	Difficulty
7	6/10/2009	Mid State Trail - Indian Steps ID#93	Harry's Valley Road, off route PA26	4.0 mi	72
8	5/27/2009	Bohen Trail #92	Blackwell, PA	3.5 mi	72
25	5/19/2009	Long Mountain Trail #91	Penn Roosevelt S.P./Alan Seeger N.A.	4.6 mi	87
1	5/6/2009	Shingletown Gap #90	Shingletown, PA	4.8 mi	94
25	4/27/2009	Old Laurel Run Trail / Spruce Gap Trail #89	Rothrock State Forest, by Bolasburg, PA	4.4 mi	89
11	4/25/2009	Chuck Keiper Trail ID#88	Eddy Lick Run, off route PA144	8.9 mi	128
26	3/6/2009	Penns Creek ID#87	South of Coburn, PA	5.5 mi	57
7	2/11/2009	Mid State Trail ID#86	Muttersbaugh Gap, off route US322	5.8 mi	108
1	10/15/2008	Shingletown Gap ID#85	Shingletown, PA	3.8 mi	70
21	10/11/2008	Loyalsock Trail ID#84	World's End State Park	13 mi	105
16	9/28/2008	Laurel Highlands Trail ID#83	South of Seward, PA, Route PA56	5.4 mi	102
2	9/23/2008	Mount Nittany ID#82	Lemont, PA	5.1 mi	91
25	8/4/2008	Alan Seeger Natural Area ID#81	Alan Seeger Natural Area, Rothrock S.F.	0.8 mi	10
27	7/19/2008	Reeder/Little Boyer Trail Loop ID#80	North of Haneyville PA, along Route PA44	5.2 mi	76
17	5/11/2008	Golden Eagle Trail ID#79	North of Cammal, PA	9.2 mi	179
10	4/22/2008	Standing Stone Trail ID#78	Near Mount Union PA, off Route US22 .	3.5 mi	84
1	4/10/2008	Shingletown Gap ID#77	Shingletown, PA	2.3 mi	55
5	4/8/2008	Shingle Mill Trail ID#76	Black Moshannon S.P.	3.7 mi	42
7	3/15 - 3/16 /2008	Mid State Trail - Greenwood Spur ID#75	Galbraith Gap to Greenwood Furnace S.P.	14.1 mi	129
7	3/12/2008	Mid State Trail ID#74	Near Jo Hays Vista, off Route PA26	6.4 mi	100
10	1/7/2008	Standing Stone Trail ID#73	Greenwood Furnace S.P.	4.4 mi	82
26	12/19/2007	Woodward Gap ID#72	Woodward, PA, off route PA45	1.0 mi	22
20	11/10 - 11/11/2007	Old Loggers Path ID#71	Masten Ghost Town, Lycoming County	12.5 mi	105
25	10/14/2007	Musser Gap ID#70	Near Shingletown, PA, on Route PA45	4.9 mi	80
15	9/16/2007	John P. Saylor Trail ID#69	Near Windber, PA, on Route PA56	6.3 mi	88
6	8/4/2007	Mid State Trail ID#68	Friend's Cove, south of Everett PA	3.9 mi	71
14	7/21/2007	Kettle Creek Loop Trail ID#67	Kettle Creek S.P.	7.3 mi	138
23	5/25/2007	The Falls Trail ID#66	Ricketts Glen State Park	3.2 mi	59
22	5/23 - 5/24/2007	Pinchot Trail - South Loop ID#65	Lackawanna County	14.2 mi	87
11	5/12/2007	Chuck Keiper Trail ID#64	Pete's Run Road to Fish Dam Run Overlook	6.5 mi	123
7	5/9/2007	Mid State Trail ID#63	Little Flat to Indian Wells Vista	4.4 mi	44
11	4/26 - 4/27/2007	Chuck Keiper Trail - West Loop ID#62	Clinton County, south of Renovo PA	14.5 mi	142
4	4/3/2007	The Barrens ID#61	Near Circle Ville, west of State College PA	5 mi	65
2	3/13/2007	Mount Nittany ID#60	Lemont, PA	4.9 mi	86
25	2/15/2007	Galbraith Gap ID#59	Rothrock State Forest, by Bolasburg, PA	2.5 mi	35
26	1/20/2007	Hook Natural Area ID#58	South of R.B. Winter State Park	7.9 mi	135
26	1/7/2007	Thick Mountain/Swift Run Trail ID#57	Near Troxelville , PA	3.5 mi	66
8	12/10/2006	Mid State Trail ID#56	Ramsey, PA	5.4 mi	108
7	11/21/2006	Mid State Trail ID#55	Poe Paddy & Poe Valley S.P.	7.4 mi	99
5	9/27 - 10/1/2006	Allegheny Front Trail ID#54	Black Moshannon S.P.	40.2 mi	124
5	9/11/2006	Allegheny Front Trail - Rock Run ID#53	Near Black Moshannon S.P.	5.4 mi	74
3	9/4/2006	Stone Valley Recreation Area ID#52	South of Pine Grove Mills, PA	5.4 mi	71
1	8/16/2006	Shingletown Gap ID#51	Shingletown, PA	5.2 mi	84
9	8/5 - 8/6/2006	Mid State Trail ID#50	Blackwell, PA to route PA287	15.7 mi	144
15	7/23/2006	John P. Saylor Trail ID#48	Near Windber, PA, on Route PA56	12.1 mi	162
5	7/9 - 7/10/2006	Allegheny Front Trail - Rock Run ID#47	Near Black Moshannon S.P.	5.2 mi	35
20	7/7 - 7/8/2006	Old Loggers Path ID#46	Masten Ghost Town, Lycoming County	15.1 mi	117
12	7/3/2006	Eagleton Mine Camp Trail ID#45	North of Lock Haven, Route PA120	9.1 mi	134
7	6/29/2006	Mid State Trail - Greenwood Spur ID#44	Near Alan Seeger Natural Area	4.7 mi	68
5	6/6/2006	Allegheny Front Trail - Six Mile Run ID#43	Black Moshannon S.P., Route PA504	5.9 mi	75
25	6/3/2006	Old Laurel Run Trail / Spruce Gap Trail ID#42	Rothrock State Forest, by Bolasburg, PA	3.7 mi	81
7	5/27 - 5/28/2006	Mid State Trail ID#41	Stillhouse Hollow to Poe Valley S.P.	8.7 mi	58
5	5/24/2006	Allegheny Front Trail - Rock Run ID#40	Near Black Moshannon S.P.	4.9 mi	71
11	4/29 - 5/1/2006	Chuck Keiper Trail - East Loop ID#39	Clinton County, south of Renovo PA	22.5 mi	135
1	4/18/2006	Shingletown Gap ID#38	Shingletown, PA	3.5 mi	54
16	4/16/2006	Charles Lewis Natural Area ID#37	South of Cramer, PA, Route PA403	4.9 mi	97
1	4/6/2006	Shingletown Gap ID#36	Shingletown, PA	3.8 mi	70
7	4/2/2006	Mid State Trail ID#35	Jo Hays Vista to Laurel Run Road	7.0 mi	85
7	3/30/2006	Mid State Trail ID#34	Pennsylvania Furnace to Jo Hays Vista	4.7 mi	56
11	3/19/2006	Cranberry Swamp Loop - CKT ID#33	Northern Centre County	3.3 mi	43
7	3/17/2006	Mid State Trail ID#32	Near Pennsylvania Furnace, PA	3.8 mi	43
25	3/5/2006	Buck / Brush Ridge Loop ID#30	Rothrock State Forest, by Milroy PA	6.7 mi	103
7	1/20/2006	James Cleveland Trail ID#29	Pleasant Gap, PA	2 mi	44
1	1/20/2006	Shingletown Gap ID#28	Shingletown, PA	5.6 mi	94
8	1/8/2006	Sand Spring Flat Circuit ID#27	Behind Ravensburg State Park	5.4 mi	78
25	12/11/2005	Tussey Mountain Trail ID#26	Rothrock State Forest, by Boalsburg PA	6.1 mi	85
25	11/27/2005	Bear Meadows Trail ID#25	Bear Meadows Natural Area	3.5 mi	40
7	11/12/2005	Jackson Trail ID#24	Jo Hays Vista, Route PA26	5.6 mi	65
8	11/4/2005	Gillespie Point ID#23	Blackwell, PA	4.2 mi	81
2	10/25/2005	Mount Nittany ID#22	Lemont, PA	1 mi	30
19	10/13 - 10/16/2005	West Rim Trail ID#21	Blackwell, PA	30.2 mi	131
1	9/24/2005	Shingletown Gap ID#19	Shingletown, PA	6.2 mi	99
7	9/17/2005	Jackson Trail ID#18	Jo Hays Vista, Route PA26	5.6 mi	65
18	9/2 - 9/3/2005	Black Forest Trail ID#17	Slate Run, PA	10.6 mi	84
7	8/26 - 8/27/2005	Mid State Trail ID#16	Big Flat to Penn Roosevelt	6.8 mi	131
7	8/18/2005	Mid State Trail ID#14	Little Flat to Big Flat	4.6 mi	56
24	8/6/2005	Yellow Creek State Park ID#13	Strongstown, PA	6 mi	84
2	8/1/2005	Mount Nittany ID#12	Lemont, PA	3.7 mi	71
13	7/23 - 7/24/2005	Quehanna Trail ID#11	East of Penfield , PA	19.5 mi	155
18	6/10 - 6/12/2005	Black Forest Trail ID#10	Slate Run, PA	20.1 mi	127
7	5/23/2005	James Cleveland Trail ID#9	Pleasant Gap, PA	2 mi	44
8	5/1/2005	Gillespie Point ID#8	Blackwell, PA	4.6 mi	91
1	4/16/2005	Shingletown Gap ID#7	Shingletown, PA	4 mi	56
17	4/8/2005	Golden Eagle Trail ID#6	North of Cammal, PA	9.7 mi	192
2	4/5/2005	Mount Nittany ID#5	Lemont, PA	2.6 mi	55
18	9/4 - 9/5/2004	Black Forest Trail ID#4	Slate Run, PA	10.5 mi	103
11	6/12/2004	Yost Run ID#3	Northern Centre County	6.7 mi	116
7	4/17 - 4/18/2004	Mid State Trail ID#2	Penn Roosevelt to Poe Valley	8.4 mi	139
18	9/6/2003	Black Forest Trail ID#1	Slate Run, PA	8.5 mi	175