Tuscarora - Standing Stone Trail loop (Pennsylvania, 6/9/18)
Jun 10, 2018 12:52:05 GMT -5
Post by GaliWalker on Jun 10, 2018 12:52:05 GMT -5
I headed over to central Pennsylvania yesterday to check out the southern end of the Standing Stone Trail. With thunderstorms in the forecast for later in the day I wanted to be done by lunchtime, so I was at Cowans Gap Lake, which is where my hike started, by 6:00am. The lake surface was quite still, except for some anglers gliding around in their boats. I spent some time watching their antics and enjoying the lake shore, before picking up the Tuscarora Trail from the northern end of the lake.
The mostly flat Tuscarora Trail was gorgeous: fern fields, under a lush green canopy, glowed in the mellow morning light. Walking through the forest was a soothing balm for the senses.
About 4mi in, as I took a left on Todds Trail my magic carpet was rudely pulled from my under my feet. A stiff climb up the flanks of Cove Mountain ensued as I gained ~800ft in about 0.6mi, most of it coming in the final 0.3mi.
I gained the crest of the ridge to intersect the Standing Stone Trail. I initially headed right on this for 0.2mi to check out the Sideling Hill Vista, and then retraced my steps back along the Standing Stone Trail. The remaining part of the hike was along the ridge crest, riding the rollercoaster ride that was the Standing Stone Trail. Knife-edged sections, fern fields, mountain laurel in bloom, rocky outcrops and the occasional views to east and west, kept the interest quotient high throughout.
I spooked a rattlesnake in these rocks, which then spooked me by announcing its displeasure with a prolonged rattle
Tough terrain to walk on
Enjoying a break at the Slanted Rock Viewpoint
Knife-edge ridge in the woods
Cowans Gap Lake
I reached the car around 7hrs after starting.
Stats: 11mi, 1800ft elevation gain, 7hrs
The mostly flat Tuscarora Trail was gorgeous: fern fields, under a lush green canopy, glowed in the mellow morning light. Walking through the forest was a soothing balm for the senses.
About 4mi in, as I took a left on Todds Trail my magic carpet was rudely pulled from my under my feet. A stiff climb up the flanks of Cove Mountain ensued as I gained ~800ft in about 0.6mi, most of it coming in the final 0.3mi.
I gained the crest of the ridge to intersect the Standing Stone Trail. I initially headed right on this for 0.2mi to check out the Sideling Hill Vista, and then retraced my steps back along the Standing Stone Trail. The remaining part of the hike was along the ridge crest, riding the rollercoaster ride that was the Standing Stone Trail. Knife-edged sections, fern fields, mountain laurel in bloom, rocky outcrops and the occasional views to east and west, kept the interest quotient high throughout.
I spooked a rattlesnake in these rocks, which then spooked me by announcing its displeasure with a prolonged rattle
Tough terrain to walk on
Enjoying a break at the Slanted Rock Viewpoint
Knife-edge ridge in the woods
Cowans Gap Lake
I reached the car around 7hrs after starting.
Stats: 11mi, 1800ft elevation gain, 7hrs
