State College Region

See Section 8 updates


Hikers should be aware of timbering operations affecting two sections of the Mid State Trail in the State College Region starting in early 2013. The second area is in Section 8 north of PA 26 (just north of Jo Hays Vista) in the vicinity of the Mid State-Ironstone Trail junction near Beaver Pond. Operations should affect the section of trail from .50km NB to 2.50km NB.There will be a 30m buffer zone with one equipment crossing of the trail at the .75km NB point. Hikers need to exercise caution in these two areas until the logging operations are finished. Please notify the regional manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if any obstructions of the trail occur so we can get out and make repairs promptly.

 

Highlights:

Beautiful views and amazing natural features mark State College Region. Although the trail's heart is the most popular Region of MST, if you hike alone you still will probably encounter more bears than people.

A monument (erected 2003) marks MST's 1969 birthplace near Little Flat Fire Tower. Volunteers of Penn State Outing Club, and many others led by MST's Founder, Tom Thwaites, headed out of town up Tussey Mountain to clear trail over the rocky ridgetop as MST grew in both directions through the "Seven Mountains."

Financial shenanigans in Penn State student government in 1982 led to the formation of Mid State Trail Association as an independent organization, to guide MST's continued growth and secure its future.

MST in this Region passes Rothrock and Bald Eagle State Forests; Penn Roosevelt, Poe Valley, Poe Paddy State Parks; and Alan Seeger and Detweiler Run Natural Areas through Huntingdon, Centre, Mifflin, and Union Counties.

MST has moved away from the reopened Little Flat access road. Preliminary planning has begun for a new crossing of Little Juniata River in Pennsylvania's largest roadless mountain gap.

Tom Thwaites and Kevin Busko, State College Regional Managers, can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 814 237-7703 (Tom) or 814-643-4238 (Kevin)


Click for Trail Alerts and Guide Updates

Click for State College Region Hiking Maps

 

State College Region Updates

  • Poe Paddy Tunnel has been closed
    February 2013
    The Poe Paddy Tunnel has been closed by DCNR Bald Eagle State Forest due to structural concerns. At this time there is no official re-route short of bushwhacking around the trouble spot. The MSTA will be looking into this situation in the near future.

  • Timbering operations north of PA 26
    December 2012
    See Section 8 updates


    Hikers should be aware of timbering operations affecting two sections of the Mid State Trail in the State College Region starting in early 2013. The second area is in Section 8 north of PA 26 (just north of Jo Hays Vista) in the vicinity of the Mid State-Ironstone Trail junction near Beaver Pond. Operations should affect the section of trail from .50km NB to 2.50km NB.There will be a 30m buffer zone with one equipment crossing of the trail at the .75km NB point. Hikers need to exercise caution in these two areas until the logging operations are finished. Please notify the regional manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if any obstructions of the trail occur so we can get out and make repairs promptly.

     
  • Timbering Operations north of US Rt. 22
    December 2012
    See Section 7 updates


    Hikers should be aware of timbering operations affecting two sections of the Mid State Trail in the State College Region starting in early 2013.
    The first area is in Section 7 north of US Rt. 22.The timbering operations will be in the 2.30km NB to 3.00km NB section. There will be a 30m buffer zone with one equipment crossing of the trail at the 2.50km NB point.

  • Relocation north of Greenwood Furnace
    April 2012
    See Section A updates


    Relocation north of Greenwood Furnace reflected in guide revision to left.

  • Relocation Between Poe Valley and Poe Paddy
    March 2010
    See Section 10 updates


    Mid State Trail's orange blazes have been moved onto [Dry] Hollow Trail (where they were before 1981), and off an unmaintainable rock pile on Poe Mountain (formerly John Fry Trail). Distance 0.77 km shorter.