Note: this is the same hike we had scheduled a few weeks ago, but it got postponed because of unexpected inclement weather. Once again, we are at the mercy of the weather gods, but this time because of smoky air due to distant wildfires in Canada. Hopefully, the worst will have moved out by Sunday morning in time for this hike. But if not, and I have to postpone it yet again, I will send around a group email notification on Sunday morning.
This approximately 4-5 mile, moderate to difficult hike starts and finishes at the Musser Gap trailhead parking lot right off PA 45, just under a mile from its intersection with PA 26, as PA 26 leaves State College and heads toward Pine Grove Mills.
We will hike up to Hubler Gap Vista on the Tussey Mountain crest (right on the Mid-State Trail) via Musser Gap Trail. The total vertical ascent is some 900 feet, though most of it is gradual, and it is rocky only near the ridge crest.
We will be rewarded with a striking view toward the southeast at Hubler Gap Vista atop the Tussey Mountain ridge, looking across Stone Valley toward Stone Mountain on the far side. It's a good glimpse of one portion of the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province of the Central Appalachian Mountains.
We will peer toward the long-running, nearly level, parallel, erosion-resistant ridges of sandstone and quartzite, cloaked with dense deciduous (broadleaf) forests, and graced with stands of white pine and eastern hemlock. These form part of Rothrock State Forest, named for Dr. Joseph Trimball Rothrock (1839-1922). A native of Mifflin County and recognized as the “Father of Forestry” in Pennsylvania, in 1895 Rothrock was appointed the first forestry commissioner in the state’s history.
We may linger along the power line on the way up or down if there are still wild berries to be harvested!
As noted, the entrance to the trailhead parking lot is just under a mile from the intersection of PA 26 and PA 45 to the turnoff for the Musser Gap Trailhead parking lot. Approach slowly, because it’s a sharp right turn off PA 45 up a steep gravel road; the entrance road turns sharply right and immediately you’ll see the spacious gravel parking lot. We will meet at the kiosk at 10 AM.
