Indian Wells, Rothrock State Forest (difficult)

It's hard to imagine Pennsylvania without its forests, but a century ago many of our mountain ridges were instead covered in weeds, stumps and dried out treetops. The legacy of centuries of use for the iron and timber industries had denuded much of PA's original forest cover by the mid 19th century. Coal-powered steam industry and coal-fired locomotives threw sparks which ignited wildfires. The scenery of the state was an altogether starker version of what it is today.

In 1895 Dr. Joseph Rothrock was appointed as the state's first commissioner of Forests and Waters. Under his tenure the state of Pennsylvania acquired vast tracts of depleted timber land leftover from defunct mining and logging companies. 35,000 acres of which acquired from the Greenwood Iron Works would bear his namesake as Rothrock State Forest. These would form the nucleus of our state park and state forest systems and by the 1950s, these lands were again covered in mature hardwood forests. The first state system of fire lookout towers and fire warden cabins were established in Rothrock State Forest in the 1920s. The trail network was largely established by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s during the Great Depression.

Our walk will take us to the top of Big Flat Mountain at the center of the state forest and site of one of the first fire warden's cabins, then along the rocky ridgetop to Indian Wells Vista which affords a great view of central PA's forested Ridge and Valley province. For most of the ridgetop hiking we will follow the Mid-State Trail, a long distance hiking trail spanning the state of PA from the Mason-Dixon Line to the NY border.

We will be starting from Galbraith Gap trailhead parking area along Bear Meadows Road. Our start time will be 9am. Make sure to arrive on time as once we start I won't be able to check my phone for anyone running late. Please keep your RSVP current. If you cannot attend please change your RSVP.

This hike will be a more difficult 10 mile loop. The climb to the top of Big Flat involves around 1100 feet of elevation gain over 1.5 miles. Wear appropriate footwear and ensure that you are physically fit enough for the climb. The hike along the Mid-State Trail will be rough and rocky. As always bring water and some extra calories.

Link to the proposed route: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.1/-77.7819/40.7323&pubLink=3qVGO454GPRmoZuEmoysJTm9&trackId=927a6d8e-80a0-4365-a498-5e1b75b098b5

Note the route may be altered as necessary by the hike leader.

This is a rain or shine hike.

Owing to the distance from Philadelphia staying overnight in State College may be preferred. Accommodations are entirely at your discretion, but State College is very close to the trailhead so is likely most convenient for finding accommodations. If there's enough interest I'll also plan an after-hike meetup for drinks/dinner in town.