- July 6, Tuesday: ALAN SEEGER / AXEHANDLE TRAIL HIKE
This hike begins in the Alan Seeger Natural Area. After walking through the huge virgin hemlocks and dense rhododendrons, we follow Detweiler Run upstream through the Detweiler Run Natural Area. We return on gravel road. The hike is about 6- 7 miles long and moderately strenuous.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00 (round trip distance less than 25 miles). Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Bill Mertens will lead this hike.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike.
Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- * July 10, Saturday: Quehanna Trail – a. Unnamed Trail
The Quehanna Area Trails Club will lead a moderate 4 mile (two short steep sections) hike along the parts of the Quehanna trail and a. Unnamed Trail. Meet at Caledonia Pike to Knobs Road about 0.2 miles off Chestnut Ridge Road at 9:30 am. Bring your own lunch and water. If inclement weather, check with the hike leader Terri Davis at nugenie@aol.com or 814-355-3345.
- * July 11, Sunday: Mason-Dixon Trail Hike
The Edward Abbey Hiking Society of the Otzinachson Group of the Sierra Club will lead a very strenuous 14.8 mile hike from Otter Creek Campground to historic Lock 12 through the River Hills on the west side of the Susquehanna River in York County. This route is part of KTA’s 28-mile Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run to be held September 11 and is excellent training for that event. Meet at K-Mart parking lot on Rt. 15 in Shamokin Dam at 8:00 am or Clarks Ferry Truck Stop along Rt. 322 in Duncannon at 8:45 am. Bring lunch and water. Leader: Paul Shaw 570-672-2389; pshaw@ptd.net
- July 13, Tuesday: TUXEDO TRAIL / KETTLE TRAIL HIKE
This is a moderate 3.3 mile hike beginning at Bear Meadows and following the gradual Tuxedo Trail to the ridge of Tussey Mountain overlooking the Trestler Kettle. We follow the Kettle Trail back to the Longenberger Trail and return to the parking area via the Jean Aron Path. The total gain is 621 feet.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00. The hike will be lead by Lew Logan. Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- July 17, Saturday: Black Moshannon Mountain Bike Ride
About 12 to 15 miles of moderate to difficulty riding along grassy trails, forstry roads, paved roads starting at 10:00 am. Contact: 814-342-6296
- July 17 - 18: Saturday - Sunday: Black Moshannon Summer Festival
Join the Friends of Black Moshannon and Black Moshannon State Park for this fun-filled weekend. Try your luck at the Lumber Day events to see if you could be our next Lumber Jack or Lumber Jill of the Year or try to win the canoe and kayak races! On Saturday, you can enjoy live music, lumber day events, the craft fair, then dance the night away at the beach party. On Sunday, try to win the canoe races, enjoy the live music, visit the craft fair, or bring the kids to the beach for some water games. Many other events will be taking place on both days. For a complete schedule, please see the festival brochure, which is available at the park office or by calling 814-342-5960.
- July 20: Tuesday: RALPH'S MAJESTIC VISTA HIKE
We will hike the Allegheny Front from Underwood Road toward Rt 504,This is a long hike of about 6-7 miles in tough terrain, but it has majestic vistas. There will be some moderate climbs, rocks, and brush. Bring water and flashlights or headlamps. Sturdy boots and long pants are recommended. There are long sections of trail covered with ferns and jaggers, you may remember this hike more fondly if you wear long pants. We will meet at the Park Forest Middle School at 6 pm (and at the parking lot at the intersection of Underwood Road and the Julian Pike at 6:25 pm). Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $2.00. Ted & Arlene Pruss will lead the hike.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace. the trails.
- * July 24,Saturday : Standing Stone Hike
The Edward Abbey Hiking Society of the Otzinachson Group Sierra Club will lead a strenuous 10 mile hike from the town of Mapleton, west of Mt. Union, to one of Pennsylvania’s great vistas, the rock outcrop known as the King’s Chamber and Throne Room. Meet at 9:00 am in the parking lot of the Weis Market in Selinsgrove along Route 522. Bring lunch and water. Leaders: Catherine McLaighlin and Ed Lawrence 570-925-5285; cathyed@nationi.net.
- July 27, Tuesday: INDIAN STEPS HIKE
This week we will do our classic Indian Steps hike. This hike begins with a steep climb of about 600 feet up the Indian Steps. We will then follow the Mid State Trail past a vista before beginning a gradual descent back to the beginning.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00 (round trip distance less than 25 miles). Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Jonathan Albrecht will lead this hike.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- August 3, Tuesday: GETTIS RIDGE HIKE
The hike starts at the small parking area at the crest of the hill when Bear Meadows Road crosses Thickhead Mountain. From here we pick up the Mid-State trail heading north and go up a small hill to the top of the ridge. The hike follows the MST for about 1.4 miles, crossing the Gettis Trail midway At 1.1 miles into the MST turns sharply left and begins a moderate, 260 foot climb to an intersection with Gettis Ridge Road. At 1.4 miles, we arrive at an intersection of three roads. The road to our left is grass covered, the others are gravel. Our road is the grass-covered road to our sharp left. Here we begin traveling down hill on a road that eventually comes out, after switch backs, on Wampler Road.
Traveling on Wampler Road, 3.7 miles into the hike, we pass a nice view looking southward into Alan Seeger Natural Area. Shortly after this view, we arrive back on Bear Meadows Road. Keeping left, we go uphill, back to our cars. This last ascent, adds the last 300 feet of climbing for a total distance of 4.7 miles and elevation gain of 790 feet. The hike is moderately strenuous.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00 (round trip distance is 22 miles). Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Bill Mertens will lead.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- August 10, Tuesday: BLACK MOSHANNON SKI SLOPE TRAIL HIKE
In 2009, an entire section of the Ski Slope Trail was relocated for easier hiking and for erosion control. Rather than a straight line to the top, it now switch-backs up the mountain to the former ski area, now Park Cabin #20. We will be hiking the new Ski Slope Trail, and finish on the Sleepy Hollow Trail at Black Moshannon State Park. There is a difficult one-mile hill climb with the remaining miles considered easy.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the Park Forest Middle School parking lot (click link for map) beside the athletic fields and we will car pool to the trail head. Hikers may meet in the upper beach parking lot at Black Moshannon State Park at 6:20. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $2.00 (round trip distance is more 25 miles). Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Mary Ann Williams will lead.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- * August 14, Saturday: Allegheny Front Trail
The Quehanna Area Trails Club will lead an easy-to-moderate 4 mile hike along the parts of the Allegheny Front Trail. Meet at the Parking lot next to lake in Black Moshannon at 9:30 am. Bring your own lunch and water. If inclement weather, check with the hike leader Ralph Seeley rsbb219@pennswoods.net 814-355-2933.
- August 17, Tuesday: DETWEILER RUN HIKE
This hike starts past Bear Meadows and before Allen Seegar. It goes down a steep hill to the Mid-state trail, along a creek, up a gas line and along a grass road back to the cars. It is a moderately strenuous hike of about 4 miles with one climb of about 6oo ft.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00. Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Arlene Pruss will lead this hike.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast,
- * August 22, Sunday: Bats of Brush Mountain
Join local naturalist Dr. Stan Kotala for a hike at The Nature Conservancy’s new Brush Mountain Preserve to observe bats on Brush Mountain. This site is part of the Canoe Creek Important Mammal Area. Meet at the Canoe Creek State Park Environmental Education Center at 7 p.m. We will carpool to the Brush Mountain Preserve. Contact Stan Kotala by email or at 814-946-8840 for more details. Sierra Club Moshannon Group
- * August 22, Sunday: Conestoga Trail Hike
The Edward Abbey Hiking Society of the Otzinachson Group of the Sierra Club will lead a very strenuous 11.8 mile hike from the east side of the Norman Wood Bridge to Pequea Creek Campground through the River Hills on the east side of the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County. This route is part of KTA’s 28-mile Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run to be held September 11 and is excellent training for that event. Meet at K-Mart parking lot on Rt. 15 in Shamokin Dam at 7:45 am or Clarks Ferry Truck Stop along Rt. 322 in Duncannon at 8:30 am. Bring lunch and water. Leader: Paul Shaw 570-672-2389; pshaw@ptd.net.
- August 24, Tuesday: SHINGLETOWN ROCKS HIKE
This hike is an approximately 3 mile hike in Shingletown Gap. We will start by immediately climbing about 500 feet to the top of Tussey ridge via an unmarked trail to the Bald Knob trail. This section is strenuous, steep, and requires some rock scrambling. Once at the top we will follow the ridge towards Bald Knob for approximately 0.5 miles before
dropping down to return following the Roaring Run.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00. Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Arlene Pruss will lead this hike. This hike will be lead by Ben Auer.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- August 31, Tuesday: MUSSER GAP HIKE
This is a 4.9 mile moderately strenuous out-and back hike into Musser Gap. Clearwater Conservancy recently purchased a tract of land just 1.5 miles west of Shingletown and transferred the property to became the latest edition to the Rothrock State Forest. There are a variety of habitats including large meadows and a power line access road on this climb to a vista overlooking State College.
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Meet at 6:00 pm in the State College High School south parking lot and we will car pool to the trail head. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $1.00. Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. The hike will be led by Nancy Ellen Kiernan and Lyn Pipenberg.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- September 7, Tuesday: SCOTIA BARRENS HIKE
We will hike in the upper Barrens west of State College, following wooded and grassy trails with small hills through the state game lands. The hike will be about 3 - 4 miles long with about 250 feet of fairly gentle elevation gain.
Meet at 6:00 pm at the parking lot for the Patton Woods Natural Recreation Area (click for map) - 2950 Circleville Road. There is a large sign, though the entrance road is a bit hard to see in time if you are coming down the hill from the direction of State College at a normal speed.
Hikers should wear boots especially if there has been rain as we may visit a few muddy spots. Bring water and a flashlight, we will almost certainly walk part way back after sunset. Bill Mertens will lead.
Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- * September 11, 2010 Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run
The Keystone Trails Association will host the second annual Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run on Saturday, September 11, 2010. Join KTA for the 28.4-mile trail challenge for adventurous hikers and trail runners on the wild river hills of the lower Susquehanna Gorge. The course follows the Mason Dixon and Conestoga Trails and features spectacular river views including Urey Overlook, House Rock Vista and Pinnacle Overlook, and scenic hollows like Oakland Run, Tucquan Glen and Kelly’s Run. There are over 10 significant climbs and descents along the route with total elevation change exceeding 8,000 feet. Visit www.kta-hike.org for more information or to register online.
Volunteers are needed for the second Susquehanna Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run scheduled for Saturday, September 11, 2010. Many volunteer opportunities are available including registration (Friday evening and Saturday morning), parking, checkpoints, trail sweeps, and more. Approximately 100 volunteers are needed. Please contact Becky at 717.238.7017 or ktaadmin@verizon.net for more information.
- * September 11, Saturday: Teaberry Trail
The Quehanna Area Trails Club will lead a moderate 3 mile hike along the scenic Teaberry Trail. Meet at the Beaver Run Impoundment parking lot on the Quehanna Highway between mile markers 8 & 9. Meet at 9:30 am. Bring your own lunch and water. If inclement weather, check with the Rose Cheatle at roswitha@ncentral.com or 814-834-5296.
- September 14, Tuesday: STAR MILL TRAIL HIKE
Star Mill Trail at Black Moshannon State Park- hike for about 3 to 4 miles and enjoy views of the lake plus woodlands. Meet a upper beach parking lot at 6:30 p.m.
Meet at 6:00 pm in the Park Forest Middle School parking (click link for map)lot beside the athletic fields and we will car pool to the trail head. Hikers may meet in the upper beach parking lot at Black Moshannon State Park at 6:20. Suggested donation per hiker for carpooling is $2.00 (round trip distance is more 25 miles). Hikers should wear boots, bring water, a flashlight or headlamp and perhaps a whistle. Mary Ann Williams will lead this hike.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- September 21, Tuesday: DINNER HIKE TO CHAMPS
For this hike we will meet at 377 Farmstead Lane, Arlene and Ted’s house, at 6pm. We will walk through Circleville Farm, through Tudeck Park, and continue to Champs for dinner. We will then return in the dark by a more direct route. Family members or anyone else who doesn’t want to hike can meet us at Champs at about 6:45. Please bring flash lights for the return hike.
- September 28, 2010: THOMPSON WOODS HIKE
This Tuesday night, we will go through one of the few valley forests within the developed area of the Centre Region with a moderate amount of elevation change (approx 250 feet!)
Thompson Woods Preserve is a 44-acre stretch of varied terrain, covered by a mixed hardwood forest of 80-90 year old trees. The preserve is the largest contiguous tract of mature forest close to downtown State College. The variety of wildlife and plants on the property of the Thompson Woods Preserve is impressive, given its urban surroundings.
Bring water, a flashlight and comfortable walking shoes. We will park and meet on Walnut Spring Lane about 25 yards from the intersection with University Drive. Bill Mertens will lead.
Changes or cancellations due to weather will be announced over the RVOC ListServ by 4:00 pm the day of the hike. Tuesday night hikes are done at a fast, aerobic pace.
- September, 30 : Thursday: RVOC Council Meeting
RVOC members are welcome to attend and to help arrange outings. This meeting is at 7:00 pm on Thursday, September 30,
2010 at 377 Farmstead Lane in State College, PA. Call Ted or Arlene at (814) 238-2682 for directions.
