 |
|
|
Kepler, Brady and Colerain Road. Or, Spruce Creek to Pine Grove Mills on dirt!
Kepler, Brady and Colerain Road. Or, Spruce Creek to Pine Grove Mills on dirt! Note: DCNR has changed the location and management of the gates since this article was published. It may not be possible to drive year round. You can always explore it by bicycle, which is a better idea anyway. Cold weather without snow makes me restless. Winter air with clear skies is my favorite time to explore by automobile. The roads are frozen firm and the dust refuses to rise. Trails become easy to spot and ridgetops are defined. Naked trees reveal the subtle shapes of the forest floor and I can look deep into the woods: observing, studying and planning springtime adventures. (Of course, this eventually being a web article, I'd hate to think you may read this in summer and feel like you should wait until winter to drive this great loop). Have you ever driven, or pedaled, from Spruce Creek to Pine Grove Mills using the state forest roads? This 35-mile tour includes 15 miles of dirt roads through some of Rothrock State Forest's most dramatic scenery. State Route 45 parallels Tussey Mountain as it connects Spruce Creek and Pine Grove Mills. State forest roads also run parallel to state Route 45 using three names in three sections: Kepler, Brady and Colerain. They form a continuous 15-mile dirt road connecting the towns of Pine Grove Mills (state Route 26) and Spruce Creek (state Route 45). Driving along state Route 45 west from Pine Grove Mills towards Spruce Creek provides a great view of the mountaintops. Tussey Mountain is the taller, continuous ridge. The famous Mid-State Trail follows this ridgetop. A keen eye will notice a series of lower ridges separated by steep water gaps. Behind them lies the Kepler/Brady/Colerain dirt road corridor that we will return on. State Route 45 winds through a landscape of working farms that takes us back to old Pennsylvania. The highway was a stagecoach route not so long ago. At Seven Stars, the route bears left and drops to Spruce Creek itself. Cliffs and outcroppings hang on the hillsides. Winter is the only time these are visible from the highway. The road is forced to turn with the creek, and the route soon becomes a tightly twisted ribbon. It winds sharply past intersections with private roads and driveways. It is a section like this where Colerain Road meets the highway, marked only by a traditional street sign. The road is on the left (westbound) and you'll be lucky to find it the first time. Let the co-driver spot the sign along this dangerous curve. If you miss it, find a safe place to turn around. Traffic usually runs a bit fast on state Route 45 so be cautious. The road soon becomes a bridge over Spruce Creek into Colerain Picnic Area and Rothrock State Forest. Several covered pavilions overlook Spruce Creek. This is a good place to stretch your legs and listen to the sounds of the creek. Reset your odometer at 0.0 here. (0.0 mile) Colerain Road climbs steeply into the foothills. The pavement gives way to gravel and dirt as the forest envelopes your senses. Passengers can look down steep slopes and see the rocky streams below. Drivers are hopefully fixated on successfully navigating the narrow, twisty road. Use the various pull-out areas to absorb the landscape; then imagine building a road across it. This is one of the steepest, most dramatic roads in Rothrock State Forest. (1.0) A metal guardrail signals a good place to stop. Pull as close to the rail as possible and enjoy a stunning view. People drive far, far away and pay money to find views just like this one. (1.4) A small parking area and several obvious paths lead to a wooded overlook. Another spectacular view of the valley appears through the branches. Look back and you can see your car. Hiking doesn't get any lazier than this. (2.1) This blue-blazed trail leads to another overlook. This one has a steel cross, a somber remembrance of an accidental death. A small retaining wall marks the safe zone but footpaths continue to the very edge. The cliffs overhang the valley so your only slip will be your last. It's not the best place for children or pets, but photographers should find it rewarding. (2.2) The Y-intersection offers a choice: go left (downhill) and Brady Road begins. The road follows a gentle bench with good views of the foothills. Various side roads lead to private cabins -- stay on Brady. (9.5) The only other intersection is a 4-way with Pennsylvania Furnace Road. Stay on Brady, which becomes Kepler Road at this point. Do not descend Pennsylvania Furnace Road; it becomes too rough to drive. Kepler Road will take you to Pine Grove Mills in a few miles. (15.0) This is the intersection with state Route 26. Turn left to Pine Grove Mills and state Route 45. Directions When you go: From State College take state Route 45 west to Spruce Creek. Before reaching the town of Spruce Creek look for Colerain Road on the left. Follow Colerain Road to Brady, Kepler, state Route 26 and return to state Route 45 at Pine Grove Mills. |
|
