Indian Steps
Aug 28, 2015 21:17:49 GMT -5
Post by AegisIII on Aug 28, 2015 21:17:49 GMT -5
Photos
Back a few months, I headed up to Rothrock State Forest to get in a few more kilometers of the Mid State Trail. A nice little loop could be done using the Indian Steps and Pump Station Trails. Since I had not hiked the MST between Indian Steps and the Campbell Trail, I added that section as an out-and-back.
I started on a pull-off along Harry's Valley Rd just west of the Indian Steps Trail. Started up the trail, starts steep; generally stays that way. Looked more well used than I was expecting. The steps here are more irregular than the 1000 steps, some narrow, some high, some a bit loose. Generally goes straight up the mountain; minor views near the top. Made it to the Mid State Trail at a giant rock cairn.
So I headed north on the MST along Tussey Mountain. A nice area; some overlooks, some pink ladyslippers out. In general it's not horribly rocky; I suspect that it's an older trail and that (probably) the CCC did a good job of moving the many rocks from the trail, giving a sunken path between low stone walls. Saw a porcupine next to the trail, barely acknowledged my existence, just sat there doing nothing, occasionally subtly moving his head. Took a break at the Campbell Trail before I turned around. The porcupine had not moved at all by the time I got back. While at one of the overlooks, I heard someone/thing coming down the trail. Fast, it seemed. Runner? No, that didn't seem correct. Biker? No. ATV/motorbike? No, not that either. Wildlife? Perhaps, certainly moving fast. But sounded weird. Flying? Odd. Imperial Probe Droid? Sounded about right, but I was probably hearing things in the noise. Anyway, no, but that actually was the closest answer. Soon, a winged drone flew overhead, maybe 50-100 feet above the treeline atop the ridge. Then, a second. As I continued down the trail perhaps around two dozen flew by, in groups of two or three. Turns out Penn State does some drone research.
The terrain became less rocky as I passed the Indian Steps Trail while heading southbound. Less views for a bit, but nice woods. There was at least one rocky ledge with an overlook. Further on I passed the Mid State Trail Rail, and then reached the site of the old fire tower. From there it was a quick walk out to Pennsylvania Furnace Road.
It is only a short walk down the road to the Pump Station Trail, and it is a road walk. But you are above a series of talus slopes, with near constant great views towards the south and west. The drones were making their return flight; but as I was lower off the ridgetop to the south, I could only hear them but not see them.
At a sharp switchback, I continued straight onto the Pump Station Trail, an old woods road. The slope is gentle, and there are some views from talus slopes just off of the trail. The end of the trail near the bottom can be wet due to some seeps. At the bottom is Harrys Valley Rd, which I took back to the car.
Back a few months, I headed up to Rothrock State Forest to get in a few more kilometers of the Mid State Trail. A nice little loop could be done using the Indian Steps and Pump Station Trails. Since I had not hiked the MST between Indian Steps and the Campbell Trail, I added that section as an out-and-back.
I started on a pull-off along Harry's Valley Rd just west of the Indian Steps Trail. Started up the trail, starts steep; generally stays that way. Looked more well used than I was expecting. The steps here are more irregular than the 1000 steps, some narrow, some high, some a bit loose. Generally goes straight up the mountain; minor views near the top. Made it to the Mid State Trail at a giant rock cairn.
So I headed north on the MST along Tussey Mountain. A nice area; some overlooks, some pink ladyslippers out. In general it's not horribly rocky; I suspect that it's an older trail and that (probably) the CCC did a good job of moving the many rocks from the trail, giving a sunken path between low stone walls. Saw a porcupine next to the trail, barely acknowledged my existence, just sat there doing nothing, occasionally subtly moving his head. Took a break at the Campbell Trail before I turned around. The porcupine had not moved at all by the time I got back. While at one of the overlooks, I heard someone/thing coming down the trail. Fast, it seemed. Runner? No, that didn't seem correct. Biker? No. ATV/motorbike? No, not that either. Wildlife? Perhaps, certainly moving fast. But sounded weird. Flying? Odd. Imperial Probe Droid? Sounded about right, but I was probably hearing things in the noise. Anyway, no, but that actually was the closest answer. Soon, a winged drone flew overhead, maybe 50-100 feet above the treeline atop the ridge. Then, a second. As I continued down the trail perhaps around two dozen flew by, in groups of two or three. Turns out Penn State does some drone research.
The terrain became less rocky as I passed the Indian Steps Trail while heading southbound. Less views for a bit, but nice woods. There was at least one rocky ledge with an overlook. Further on I passed the Mid State Trail Rail, and then reached the site of the old fire tower. From there it was a quick walk out to Pennsylvania Furnace Road.
It is only a short walk down the road to the Pump Station Trail, and it is a road walk. But you are above a series of talus slopes, with near constant great views towards the south and west. The drones were making their return flight; but as I was lower off the ridgetop to the south, I could only hear them but not see them.
At a sharp switchback, I continued straight onto the Pump Station Trail, an old woods road. The slope is gentle, and there are some views from talus slopes just off of the trail. The end of the trail near the bottom can be wet due to some seeps. At the bottom is Harrys Valley Rd, which I took back to the car.