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

Hiking in Central Pennsylvania and Around the State

GOOGLE MAPS NOW ON PAHIKES.COM by Scott	8/9/2008

We’ve given some thought about adding Google Maps to our hikes. After much deliberation, as well as programing, testing, and troubleshooting, we’ve decided to try a pilot run with Google Maps. So far we have 3 hikes with Google Maps enabled. With these maps you can zoom and pan, as well as change the base map from terrain, to street, to satellite. Here are the three hikes to which we’ve added this new feature: Musser Gap Allegheny Front Trail Golden Eagle Trail Check them out and see if you like them. After you’ve had a chance to look them over, we would love to hear from you. Send an email to the webmaster and let us know if you liked the new maps or not. Adding Google Maps to more hikes will depend on how usefull you find this new feature.

PROWLING THE SPROUL ON THE REEDER TRAIL LOOP by Scott	7/21/2008

During the 5th annual Prowl the Sproul, Shari and I decided to join the Reeder Trail Loop hike. There were 6 of us in total on this hike. The terrain and trail were easy to hike, with gradual ascents and descents, as well as hiking through cool mountain hollows. Not to mention that the trailhead for this hike is located just across the road from Reeder’s Tavern; a great place to stop for a cold refreshment after the hike. Read all about our hike during the 5th annual Prowl the Sproul.

TIPS ON CAMPING WITH A HAMMOCK by Scott	7/14/2008

I was asked recently if I had any tips to pass along on using a hammock while hiking. I use a Hennessy Hammock, but these few tips could be used for any hammock. Use SnakeSkins - These are designed for Hennessy Hammocks but could be used with other hammocks as well. The SnakeSkins are two long tubes that act as stuff sacks. Put them on before you hang your hammock, and then simply pull the SnakeSkins over the hammock when you are ready to take it down. Your hammock is now in a stuff sack and it is a lot easier to handle, plus it keeps the hammock dry and clean for storage. Ultralight tent stakes - Most hammocks have guy lines and to keep with the ultralight ideology, rocks and logs are suggested for tiedowns. However I find ultralight titanium tent stakes provide versatility, are more secure, and weigh next to nothing. You won’t need to carry more than 4 tent stakes for a typical hammock. Start up high - When hanging your hammock for the first time, secure the ends of the hammock as high up on the trees as you can. The cord used to hang the hammock will stretch at first and if you don’t hang your hammock high enough you’ll find yourself either a few inches above the ground or touching it. With time the cord will stop stretching, usually after 6 to 12 hangings.

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.

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