Allegheny Front Trail: Ho-hum Fall Foliage Hike

Join us this upcoming Saturday afternoon, October 18, at 2:30 p.m. for an easy-to-moderate, 1.5-mile, out-and-back hike (about 3 miles in total) along a short segment of the Allegheny Front Trail (AFT), featuring picturesque views at three spots, including the aptly-named "Ralph's Majestic Vista" and "Ralph's Pretty Good View". A debate rages as to whether the "Pretty Good View" actually surpasses the "Majestic Vista."

There are no prolonged, steep ascents or descents on this hike, and footing on the trail is generally good, though it's rocky in some places. Total elevation gain is several hundred feet spread over three miles.

We will gather at 2:30 p.m. at the parking lot at the intersection of Beaver Road (Rte. 3032) and Underwood Rd., an unpaved (gravel) road that will take us 1.5 miles (by car) to where the AFT crosses it. Participants can carpool from this meeting place, or drive directly to and park at the trail crossing. There is adequate width here for parking along the road shoulder. This trail crossing is about 16 miles from the near side of State College.

To reach both the parking area and trail crossing from State College, use the same route you would to reach Black Moshannon State Park. Take Fox Hollow and Fox Hill roads, headed toward the University Park Airport. Turn left on Bernel Road (1/2 mile before the airport) and follow it down into the Buffalo Run valley to Rte. 550. Turn left on 550 and follow it for 2-3 miles to Julian Pike on the right. Take Julian Pike as it winds up and over Bald Eagle Mountain and down into the village of Julian.

Cross Bald Eagle Creek and Alt Rte 220 in Julian proper, get onto Beaver Rd (Rte 3032), and gradually start heading up the mountainside (the Allegheny Front) toward Black Moshannon State Park. Just after reaching the crest, you will see a large parking area at the Intersection of Beaver Rd and Underwood Rd .

We will meet here at 2:30 p.m. and ten minutes later will proceed (still in vehicles) 1.5 miles along gravel Underwood Rd. to the AFT crossing, where will will park and disembark.

Latitude and Longitude of parking at the intersection of Beaver Rd and Underwood Rd:

40°52’59”N
78°01’17”W

Fall foliage has yet to peak and, frankly, so far this year it's been a bit underwhelming. Be that as it may, our mid-afternoon departure time will make the scenery more photogenic and dramatic, since with the sun lower in the sky, and to our backs, shadows will more pronounced and the textures and folds of the rumpled landscape more likely to be revealed. If overcast, with muted colors and texture, them's the breaks.

This 3-mile round-trip (out and back) stroll will take us along the crest of the eastward-facing escarpment of the Allegheny Front proper. Geologists have identified the Allegheny Front as the boundary between two major, so-called physiographic or geological provinces in the central Appalachian Mountains: the Ridge and Valley Province to the east (where State College is situated), and the Allegheny Plateau stretching to the west all the way into Ohio. For relatively modest effort, you will be treated to superb views of the former, from the very edge of the latter.

Weather and clouds permitting, we'll be able to gaze towards the southeast and see Bald Eagle Mountain, Tussey Mountain, the ski area slopes, Little Flat, Mount Nittany, and glimpses of Lemont and State College. Binoculars recommended.