09box

Mrs. Box will be heading to State College in early December for a conference and I am going to tag along with her. I read about the Rothrock State Forest out there. Are there any good rail trails, fire road areas, gravel, trails that can be recommended?

GT Tachyon

Pine Creek Rail Trail near Jersey Shore, about an hour east but worth it. Beautiful area.

ct-vt-trekker

I'm not sure about rail trails but the road riding in that area is super. I spent a week there in June on a bike tour. We stayed downtown and took a different ride each day 38-. I've cycled in 32 states and this area has some of the most courteous drivers I've seen anywhere. Ride the roads you'll love it. The routes are all posted for the public on RidewithGPS.

indyfabz

The Lower (rhymes with flower) Trail has a northern terminus in Alexandria, PA.


With that said, I agree that the road riding is very nice. Heading east from Bellefonte, you can ride the Nittany Valley by taking PA 550 to PA 64. Hang a right on PA 445, take the pretty climb over the ridge and descend to the Brush Valley at Madisonburg. The Brush Valley is Amish country. From there, you can ride back west on PA 192 towards State College or head a bit east to Raymond Winter State Park and then reverse. Penn's Cave, on PA 192 east of State College, is total kitsch:


Penn's Cave ? America's Only All Water Cavern and Wildlife Park ? Penn's Cave ? America's Only All Water Cavern and Wildlife Park

09box

I've read good things about Rothrock State Forest. Anybody have info on this?

Altair 4

The Ghost Town Trail end point in Ebensburg is about an hour south of State College. This is a 36 mile rail to trail that runs past some old iron works furnaces. The "ghost" towns that served the iron industry and were along the rail line aren't there anymore, but the remnants of the furnaces are.


No idea what the trail conditions would be like at this time of year. You could probably call the county park office for info. I'd wear blaze orange - I believe deer season is still underway in parts of the state.

Ghost Town Trail Information | Indiana County Parks and Trails

unterhausen

I do most of my riding in Rothrock. Go up past Tussey mountain ski area. DNCR has maps, or you can get purple lizard maps from the local bike shops/outdoor shops. I suggest going up Bear Meadows, hanging a right on Laurel Run. Then when you get to the top of the hill, the second left is Bear Gap. At the top of Bear Gap, you can take a left on North Meadows, which takes you back to Bear Meadows, where you take a left back to Tussey. When entering the park, the Galbraith Gap parking lot is just past Tussey on the left, that's where people people park when they are doing these rides.

There are longer rides, ask if you want to know. The problem right now is that it's deer season for the next week and a half, wear orange, even on the roads. No hunting on Sundays. I would suggest at least 30 mm tires, probably closer to 40mm tires if you want to be flat-proof

09box

I found the Galbraith trail head on the map and probably will park there. I'd be interested in single track but not too technical and rocky. Fire roads are good too. Is anybody going out to be riding tomorrow? I'm always looking for people to ride with. I have orange I can wear. Also, i'll be on 32mm cross tires.

09box

I ended up doing the entire Lower Trail and getting in about 32 miles round trip. I went to an lbs in town (Freeze Thaw Cycles had some awesome stuff in the store! Super nice people as well..) and they told me that with hunting season in full effect, it might be best to avoid it with everybody up there and it being more of a nuisance dealing with all the hunters so I just stayed away. I'd like to venture back in the warmer months and maybe try riding around there when hunting season is not in effect.

indyfabz

Did you get to do any rioting Saturday night/Sunday morning?

NYSteve

Hunting season puts a premature end to my biking season.

Two or three weekends ago I went for a bike ride. A small one about 16 miles. I was honestly scared. I know people were shooting across the trail I was riding. I was hearing gun shots on both sides of me. It was small game hunting season. I would not even attempt it during deer season. People shoot at sound and movement.

09box

I did not partake in any rioting Sat night/Sun morning. Mrs. Box and I left town after dinner Saturday night about 8:45 when the PSU game was still on.

There were some hunters strolling along the lands bordering the Lower Trail but I had on an orange sweatshirt so they saw that immediately.

09box

I am making a repeat trip with Mrs. Box out to State College this weekend and will have a chance to ride. I did the Lower Trail last year and I want to give another trail a shot. There were some hunters bordering on the Lower Trail. I have it narrowed down to the Pine Creek Rail Trail or the Ghost Town Trail. Will either have any hunters lurking around on it or should I be okay?

indyfabz

I did almost all of the Pine Creek Trail (from Ansonia to Jersey Shore) back in September as part of a cross-PA ride. There is a large state game land area near the trail around Slate Run and state forest north of there. But I wouldn't let that stop me. BTW...The northern end of the trail is far more interesting/scenic. Saw this little guy splash across the creek.

09box

I ended up riding 36 miles round trip from Jersey Shore and back on Pine Creek. Beautiful trail but a little choppy on 28 mm tires in spots. I will post pictures later on.

indyfabz

I am sure it was. I did it fully loaded on 37c tires. As much as I often find trail monotonous, Pine Creek is nice for that part of the world. It can also make for a multi-day trip. There are a couple hotels, B&B's and campgrounds along the way. One could take a leisurely ride up to Wellsboro over two days and then reverse. Wellsboro is a neat little town with several streets lit by gas mantle lamps. Plenty of food and lodging there.