First Hike of 2026: lovely Lake Perez!

Welcome in the New Year this coming Saturday at 1 p.m. for an easy to moderate, three-mile winter hike on the Lake Perez Trail. This path circumnavigates picturesque Lake Perez, which sits next to PSU’s Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in the Stone Valley, southeast of Tussey Mountain.

There will be some snow and possibly ice on the ground, and if so it’s a good idea (though not essential) to wear hiking or snow boots and bring hiking poles if you have ‘em. Sole spikes or coils for added friction on snow and ice would also be helpful to prevent slipping, but are not essential.

We will rendezvous at 1 p.m. in the large parking lot next to the rec facilities on Lake Perez (Stone Valley Recreation Area on the map below; we have met here many times before).

Lake Perez is named for Lawrence J. Perez (1907-1988), a Penn State professor of civil engineering and later Dean of the Engineering College at PSU. Professor Perez designed and planned the lake that was later named in his honor. Perez was also president of the State College Borough Council from 1960 to 1973 and served as acting mayor of State College in 1967 and 1968. He died in 1988 at the age of 81.

Lake Perez is owned by PSU and offers canoe, kayak, paddle board, and boat rentals during the spring, summer, and fall, as well as fishing opportunities, including ice fishing in the winter if the ice is thick enough.

PSU also owns and operates the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, including an aviary for injured raptors (birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, and owls). We will walk right past the center and aviary along the trail, but they will probably not be open to the public.

After this less-than-grueling hike, those who are up for it can join us for a bite and a brew to continue the conversation and general merry-making.