Hiking in Central Pennsylvania and Around the State

 
PROWL THE SPROUL V JULY 18 - 20  by Scott 6/25/2008  
The fifth annual Prowl The Sproul is quickly approaching. The Keystone Trails Association, along with the Western Clinton Sportsmen’s Association, proudly sponsor this year’s Prowl the Sproul weekend to be held the weekend of July 18th to July 20th, 2008. The Prowl the Sproul weekend promotes the Nature/Environmental Center at the Western Clinton Sportmen’s Association facility in Renovo and is the meeting site for all the weekend events. This fun filled weekend will include hiking, kayaking, a 10K fun run and sitting by the fire with friends. Guided hikes will be led by DCNR personnel Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visit KTA’s website for more information.
 
HIKING ON THE GOLDEN EAGLE TRAIL  by Scott 6/12/2008  
Located just north of Cammal Pennsylvania, on route PA414, is the challenging Golden Eagle Trail. Tom Thwaites in his book 50 Hikes of Central Pennsylvania called the Golden Eagle "the most beautiful day hike in Pennsylvania". After hiking this trail, I think you’ll agree with this assessment. With two breathtaking vistas, two pristine mountain streams, and a challenging climb, the Golden Eagle Trail has a lot to offer for the day hiker.

There were three of us doing this hike. John and I last did this hike together over 3 years ago. That was the last time either of us had been on this trail. For Wendy, it had been even longer, pushing 4 years. I was looking forward to doing this hike again, now with it being a little later in the year, and with leaves on all the trees. I do believe a hike on the GET in the fall, when the leaves are changing color, is on my short list of future hikes that I’ll want to do. Read all about our hike, view maps, and pictures we took in the GET.
 
PENNSYLVANIA HIKING WEEK MAY 24TH TO JUNE 1ST  by Scott 5/22/2008  
DCNR has teamed with the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) to offer nearly 100 organized hikes and walks available throughout Pennsylvania during the nine-day event that runs from Saturday, May 24 through Sunday, June 1.

All of the scheduled hikes have leaders. Most hikes are on the two weekends of the event, but several weekday and evening hikes also are offered. Special hikes include night hikes; wildflower walks; hikes for people with disabilities; pet walks; geology walks and much more.

Most hikes will take place in state parks and state forests, with some hikes scheduled on the Appalachian Trail, in Allegheny National Forest, and in city and community parks. Visit the Pennsylvania DCNR website to see a listing of all the hikes currently scheduled.
 
THE THOUSAND STEPS ON THE STANDING STONE TRAIL  by Scott 5/6/2008  
Located in Jacks Narrows, between the towns of Mount Union and Mapleton Depot, is a series of steps up the mountain side. These steps, over one thousand in all, were built in 1936 to aid the quarry workers on their way to and from work. Know as the Thousand Steps, this is now a section of the 70+ mile Standing Stone Trail. Most locals just hike to the top of the steps for a nice view and then head back down. That was exactly what we did, we hiked to the top, enjoyed the vistas and history, and then hiked back down. Read all about our day hike and view some pictures of the great views as well as a photo of our first rattlesnake sighting of the season.
 
TO THE TOP OF TUSSEY MOUNTAIN  by Scott 4/23/2008  
A Tuesday evening in April had me hiking to the top of Tussey Mountain with the Ridge and Valley Outings Club. The hike was in the Shingletown Gap area. I had not hiked an inch of the trails in this area last year and I wanted to make sure I made it out to the gap this year. View pictures and read all about this outing as I completed a short but invigorating hike with the RVOC.
 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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!