 |
|
|
Tussey Mountain Trail
Tussey Mountain Trail: Moderate Hike or Advanced Bike The Tussey Mountain Trail is a quiet ridge-top trail located in Rothrock State Forest between Bear Meadows Road and Treaster Kettle Road. It is not very well known for two reasons: it is not marked, and it doesn't seem to be on Tussey Mountain. The trail is an old logging path well worn into the landscape of the ridge. I like ridge-top trails because they offer unique vantage points to see wildlife on the downslopes. This particular trail offers many rock outcroppings perfect for sitting on. Deer, of course, are most common. When you encounter them on a flatland trail, you get a few seconds to watch them bound away. But on a ridge trail they run downhill or cross slope and pause. If you stay still, and downwind, they often resume foraging and don't mind your watchful eyes. Look for porcupines in the trees, especially near rock outcroppings. These gentle creatures are harmless unless you manage to fall on one. Their ability to shoot quills at you is a myth. One evening, near dusk, I enjoyed sharing the trail with a red-tailed hawk. Ahead of me, standing still, was the distinctive shape of this large bird of prey. It was standing on the trail, with its back toward me, looking downslope. My steps were not soft enough, and the bird looked over its shoulder at me. Slowly opening its wings and leaning forward, it gently took flight into the trees below. My eyes followed as it floated out of the canopy and drifted across the valley. Not once did it flap a wing. I hope it found what it was hunting for. I know I did. Tussey Mountain is the prominent ridge top that is clearly visible south of State College. It is the same mountain the local ski area accesses with chairlifts. How can this trail, located behind the leading edge of Tussey Mountain, be considered part of the same mountain? The answer lies in the geology of the ridge and valley topography so prevalent in Rothrock State Forest. The nature of these mountains is a series of twisting ridges that fold back and forth. Tussey Mountain forms a 180 degree fold near Colyer Lake and doubles back to Bear Meadows Natural Area. Bear Meadows Road crosses Tussey Mountain twice. In a car, or on foot, this doesn't seem likely. It is evident only when you study maps of the area. Here's a suggestion for an easy 3-mile hike. Begin from Bear Meadows Road and the Kettle Trail. Turn left at the ridgetop onto Tussey Mountain Trail. You'll reach a signpost for Reichley Trail but don't take it. Continue looking for the unmarked Filmore Trail on the left. This will loop back to Bear Meadows Road. Turn left and return to your car. (Poor memory? Simply take all available lefts and you'll hike a full circle). Here is a hint for finding the Filmore Trail: Look for a rock cairn (a pile of stacked rocks) along the ridge. Be aware that this simple marker is occasionally knocked over until helpful people rebuild it. the Filmore Trail is a former logging chute. This means it is straight, steep and eroded. Don't blame the sketchy trail condition soley on cyclists: the turn of the century logging industry created this, and it is in better condition today. What is percieved as a difficult hiking trail doubles as a challenging running and biking trail for the adrenaline seekers. The adjacent map offers several possible routes on, and off, the ridge. You can experiment with longer hikes by using Treaster Kettle Road to return to Bear Meadows Road. Tussey Mountain Trail continues for several miles if you want to explore its full length. The Reichley Trail and Shingle Path are marked with old, weathered signs along the ridge top. These former logging chutes can be difficult to hike but they provide a direct route down. They are not marked from the road, but they do have relic signs where they meet the Tussey Mountain trail. Many cyclists have succesfully made these descents over the years, myself included, but they are by no means sane trails to ride down. You should have spotters and an emergency evacuation plan in case of serious injury. I first explored this trail when I was doing recon for what would become the original Purple Lizard trail map. It was hard to follow and completely overgrown in places. But I knew this had potential to become one of the best bike trails in the area: ridgetop singletrack with good drainage. I organized the first group to clear Tussey Mountain Trail with the Penn State Outing Club and local bicyclists in 1997. Since that time, mountain bike riders have adopted this trail, and it has been used as part of a Penn State collegiate mountain bike race. I checked on the trail condition after the race and was happy to find it in even better shape. The bikes' wide tires made this a better walking path by smoothing out the rockier sections. If you are an advanced rider, you may enjoy pedaling this trail but it still has many obstacles. Directions From State College: Take state Route 322 East to Bear Meadows Road. Follow until it turns to dirt. About 1/2 mile later the Kettle Trail crosses the road. Look for rocks and a dirt barrier to prohibit vehicles on the trail. It is a grass trail about 6 feet wide and is most obvious on the left as it goes straight to the ridge. Hike to the ridge top and the Tussey Mountain Trail begins on the left. 2002 Update: Check out Nittany Mountain Biking Association for the latest trail extension work on Tussey Mountain trail.
|
|
