Tag: Hike Challenge

This week we are heading to Thousand Steps!  It sounds intimidating and it can be, but if you take the slow and steady approach, this hike is totally doable even for our younger Scouts.  The hike is predominately uphill with areas to stop and rest along the way.  It is boulder hiking, so each step is either a root or a rock that you will be stepping up on as you move up the hill.  Please be sure to take water with you on this hike.  There are several stopping points with great views of the area and at the top there is a hiking trail with an overlook.  We’ve also done this hike in the fall and it is lovely to do then too.  Take your time and enjoy the process.  Keep your eyes out for the step markers indicating 100, 200, 300, etc.  They go by a lot faster than you might think!  Going down can sometimes be harder than going up as your calves may start twitching on the way down.  Do not attempt this hike before or after potential rainfall because it would be slippery. 

Week 12 Hike:  Thousand Steps  

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/thousand-steps

Distance:  3.4 miles out (up) and back (down) 1125 foot elevation change

Continue reading “Hike Challenge 12: Thousand Steps”

This week we are heading about 30 minutes away to Greenwood Furnace State Park to do the Greenwood Furnace Loop.  This area is a hidden gem with a lovely lake and an opportunity to learn more about the historical mining industry in our area.  

Week 11 Hike:  Greenwood Furnace State Park Loop  https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/greenwood-furnace-state-park-loop

Distance:  4.5 mile loop, 971 foot elevation change

Continue reading “Hike Challenge 11: Greenwood Furnace State Park Loop”

Hello everyone!  Week 10!!!  This week we are heading a little bit further away from State College toward Holidaysburg area to explore the hiking options at Canoe Creek State Park.  This is going to be somewhat different than what we normally do which is identify a trail and send you the map.  For this week, we are sharing with you all the information on the Canoe Creek State Park’s trails which vary in distance from 0.4 miles to 3.2 miles in length.  Upon arriving at the park, grab a map from the visitor’s center or bring a printed copy of the attached map.  Have your daughter decide which trail/s she wants to explore, and let her lead the way!  By now she should be able to navigate using a map and blaze markings.  Have fun with this one!!

Week 10 Hike:  Canoe Creek State Park https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CanoeCreekStatePark/Pages/Hiking.aspx

Distance: Varies from 0.3 miles to 3.2 miles, elevations and difficult levels vary as well.  

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Hello!  We hope this reaches everyone staying healthy and savoring these sunny days!  Please remember that these hikes are geared toward getting families outside to enjoy some fresh air and help Scouts that have hiking requirements for their various badges. This week we are going to try the James Cleveland Memorial Trail located in Bald Eagle State Forest just outside if Pleasant Gap.   James Cleveland was an air mail pilot who crashed his plane on Mount Nittany in 1931.   At the peak of the trail, there is a memorial stone along with plane wreckage.  The trail terrain varies from regular dirt trail to rocky trail to a bridge going over the Little Fishing Creek.  This hike is likely not recommended for little legs (5 and under) but should be a good hike for families otherwise. As of late May, the blaze markings were YELLOW.   You can see additional pictures and read more about the trail at  https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/pennsylvania/james-cleveland-trail-pa/.  

Week 9 Hike:  James Cleveland Memorial Trail   https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/james-cleveland-memorial

Distance:  4 miles out and back, 1505 elevation change, *Note that the memorial is roughing halfway through the trail, so you could do a total of 4 miles with roughly 2 to the memorial and then 2 back down to your car or you could do the full 4 miles out and back for a total of 8 miles.

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This week we are going to tackle the Musser Gap Short Loop.  This is a slightly more difficult trail due to the elevation changes.  The trail is beautiful and there is a lovely creek with little water falls.  You can do this out and back for a shorter hike or you can do the full short loop.  There are also options to extend the hike further by connecting to the Mountain Mist Trail and/or going a short distance to the relatively newish Lion’s Valley Vista.

Week 8 Hike:  Musser Gap Short Loop  

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/musser-gap-small-loop

Distance:  2.8 mile loop, 698 elevation change

Continue reading “Hike Challenge 8: Musser Gap Short Loop”