Pennsylvania Mid State Trail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pennsylvania Mid State Trail | |
|---|---|
 The "Roman Tower", on the trail near Boalsburg, Pennsylvania |
|
| Length | 306 mi; 504 km |
| Location | Pennsylvania and Maryland, United States |
| Trailheads | North: Cowanesque Lake near Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania South: Pine Lick Trail in Green Ridge State Forest in Maryland (at the Mason-Dixon Line) |
| Use | Hiking |
| Highest Point | Martin Hill, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania |
| Trail Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous |
| Season | Spring to Fall |
| Sights | pastoral views and cultural remnants |
| Hazards | Severe Weather Poison ivy American Black Bear Timber Rattler |
The Mid State Trail of Pennsylvania (MST or PA-MST) is a 504 km (306 mile) long main trail network with many side trails located in the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians and Allegheny Plateau of Central Pennsylvania. It is known as "The Wildest Trail in Pennsylvania". In 2006, MST was announced as part of the Great Eastern Trail network of footpaths intended to extend from Alabama to New York State.
The northern terminus of the trail is at Cowanesque Lake near Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The southern end is a junction with the Pine Lick Trail in Green Ridge State Forest in Maryland at the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. As of 2007 there remains one gap east and southeast of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. The MST is primarily on public land – state forests, game lands and parks. MST uses private lands by permission on occasion, generally closer to the Maryland and New York borders.
The Mid State Trail has many views offered by its placement on narrow ridges. The MST provides an illusion of remoteness and solitude yet is rarely more than two kilometers from the nearest road.
Contents |
[edit] Marking
Rectangular orange blazes on the main trail. Blue blazes are used to mark other trails. The Mid State Trails mark the trail with single rectangles and two rectangles to denote turns. The orange blazes on most parts of the Mid State Trail are more numerous and recent (brighter color) than the blue blazes on other adjacent trails.
[edit] Trailheads
The Mid State Trail guide, published by the Mid State Trail Association, is an excellent source for the trailheads along the trail. Access points occur regularly, but not often enough to disrupt your hiking experience.
[edit] Hazards
While black bears, bobcats and rattlesnakes can present dangers, it is only if you are foolish or very unlucky. When bears and people cross paths in the wild, usually the bear just wishes to leave the area. Very rarely will a bear act hostile towards people; the American Black Bear Wikipedia article contains good information on how to handle those atypical situations.
The common rattlesnake of Pennsylvania, the Timber Rattler Crotalus horridus horridus, has venom of a medium potency that can cause painful injuries but is rarely lethal. Administering proper first aid, keeping calm and quickly receiving medical attention is the best response to a bite.
[edit] Rattlesnake experiences
On my two dozen or so excursions along the Mid State Trail, I've encountered rattlesnakes twice. In one case, the snake was about six inches from the trail; in the other, it was on the trail itself, though hidden by brush. If you encounter a rattlesnake, back away as slowly and quietly as you can. Once you are a good distance (50-100 feet) from the snake, toss rocks or other debris so that they land BEYOND the snake's head, at least a foot or two. This will distract the snake, so that you can continue hiking. Remember, a rattler has the same attitude you do: it would rather you just went on your way and left it alone.
[edit] See also
- Tiadaghton State Forest
- Tioga State Forest
- Rothrock State Forest
- Bald Eagle State Forest
- Buchanan State Forest
- Pennsylvania State Gamelands
- Similarly-named Massachusetts Midstate Trail
- Great Eastern Trail
[edit] External links
- Mid State Trail Association - official website
- Photos of section of the PA-MST
- PA DCNR's Mid State Trail Page (covers only areas on their lands)
- PAHikes.com (Mid State Trail - State College Region)
- HikePA.com (Covers Mid State Trail in Central Pennsylvania)
[edit] References
- Thomas Thwaites, Map & Guide Set to Mid State Trail in the Seven Mountains of Pennsylvania, Mid State Trail Association, 2001, ISBN 1-931496-01-3
|
|||||
