MST - Section 8
Elevation
Ascent:
1,573'
480 m
Descent: -2,345' -715 m
High: 2,414' 736 m
Low: 1,290' 393 m
Grade
Avg Grade: 5% (3°)
Max Grade: 35% (19°)
Weather
Popular hikes nearby
Jackson Trail - Mid State Trail Loop
6.2 mi 10.0 km • Loop • 802 ft Ascent 244.38 m Ascent
Shingletown Loop
7.0 mi 11.3 km • Loop • 799 ft Ascent 243.68 m Ascent
Bear Meadows/Mid State Trail Loop
7.4 mi 11.8 km • Loop • 847 ft Ascent 258.23 m Ascent
Thousand Steps to Ledge Quarry
2.6 mi 4.1 km • Loop • 968 ft Ascent 295.19 m Ascent
Marsh Trail
0.5 mi 0.8 km • Loop • 10 ft Ascent 3.18 m Ascent
Mid State Trail (MST)
325.1 mi 523.2 km • Point to Point • 45,161 ft Ascent 13765 m Ascent
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“Iconic views from Fourth Mountain embrace the sweep of Rothrock State Forest.”
— Peter Fleszar
Features
Views
Section Of
Description
Re-climb the ridge for more open views and rocks. Cross Musser Gap Trail to the west, the newer access point to parking at PA 45 and continue to Whitehall Rd at State College Borough limits. Stay on the rocky ridge passing numerous side trails down to Shingletown Gap (watershed area to northwest, no camping), including the Roman Tower which might have once been more impressive before the arrival of the Visigoths.
Cross gravel Laurel Run Rd on a brief interlude of a logging grade before ankle-twisting rocks resume. Continue over Little Flat Fire Tower Rd and pass a parking area. Cross Little Flat Fire Tower Rd again behind the gate, pass a radio tower and cross the lawn of the former fire tower (fenced and locked) and its cabin (locked) to the oldest portion of Mid State Trail. Pass Spruce Gap trail, which is the closest access route to Galbraith Gap way down off the ridge behind Tussey Mountain ski resort, then the Tom Thwaites Monument to MST's founder.
Several viewpoints open to the left/southeast, including the famed mysterious Indian Wells overlook over Bear Meadows, and a number of dry campsites are cleared here as well. Fleet Foot Trail drops to a leased hunting cabin and spring. Pass North Meadows on your way to Keith Spring side trail, short and easy to the reliable Keith Spring.
Continue now in Big Flat Laurel Natural Area over the green tunnel highest point in Huntingdon County. At a gated road junction, cross and drop left (now compass-northeast) towards, but not all the way to, Bear Meadows. Swing right to regain the ridge now called Thickhead Mountain and cross gravel Bear Meadows Road (no good parking) as the MST drops off the ridgeline (now compass southeast).
The trail now crosses behind the Detweiler Run Rd gate to a final drop to Detweiler Run and a junction with Mid State Trail Greenwood Spur and MST - Section 9. This "Detweiler Junction" is also the split between the eastern and western routes of Great Eastern Trail.
Hiked this trail?
We need help with the following missing trail information:
Family Friendly, ADA Accessible, Need to Know, Flora & Fauna
Contacts
Local Club: Mid State Trail Association, Inc. (MSTA)
Aug 7, 2019: Everett Detour at Turnpike.
Feb 11, 2019: DCNR Trail Of The Year MST
Feb 11, 2019: Mid State Trail Hike 50
Land Manager: DCNR - Rothrock District
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