Pennsylvania Mid State Trail

Infobox Hiking trail
Name=Pennsylvania Mid State Trail
Photo=RomanTower.jpg
Caption=The "Roman Tower", on the trail near Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
Location=Pennsylvania and Maryland, United States
Length=327 mi; 526 km
Start/End Points=North: New York State border near Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
South: Pine Lick Trail in Green Ridge State Forest in Maryland (at the Mason-Dixon Line)
Use=Hiking
ElevChange=
HighPoint=Martin Hill, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania
LowPoint=
Difficulty=Moderate to Strenuous
Season=Spring to Fall
Sights=pastoral views and cultural remnants
Hazards=Severe Weather
Poison ivy
American Black Bear
Timber Rattler
The Mid State Trail of Pennsylvania (MST or PA-MST) is a 526 km (327 mile) long main trail network with many side trails located in the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians and Allegheny Plateau of Central Pennsylvania. It is known as "The Wildest Trail in Pennsylvania". In 2006, MST was announced as part of the Great Eastern Trail network of footpaths intended to extend from Alabama to New York State.

The northern terminus of the trail is at the New York State border near Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The southern end is a junction with the Pine Lick Trail in Green Ridge State Forest in Maryland at the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. As of 2008 there remains a 13 km (8 mile) unmarked gap east and southeast of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. The MST is primarily on public land – state forests, game lands and parks. MST uses private lands by permission on occasion, generally closer to the Maryland and New York borders.

The Mid State Trail has many views offered by its placement on narrow ridges. The MST provides an illusion of remoteness and solitude yet is rarely more than two kilometers from the nearest road.

Marking

Rectangular orange blazes on the main trail. Yellow and blue blazes are used to mark other trails. The Mid State Trails mark the trail with single rectangles and two rectangles to denote turns. The orange blazes on most parts of the Mid State Trail are more numerous and recent (brighter color) than the blue blazes on other adjacent trails.

Trailheads

The Mid State Trail guide, published by the Mid State Trail Association, is an excellent source for the trailheads along the trail. Access points occur regularly, but not often enough to disrupt your hiking experience.

Hazards

While black bears, bobcats and rattlesnakes can present dangers, it is only if you are foolish or very unlucky. When bears and people cross paths in the wild, usually the bear just wishes to leave the area. Very rarely will a bear act hostile towards people; the American Black Bear Wikipedia article contains good information on how to handle those atypical situations.

The common rattlesnake of Pennsylvania, the Timber Rattler Crotalus horridus horridus, has venom of a medium potency that can cause painful injuries but is rarely lethal. Administering proper first aid, keeping calm and quickly receiving medical attention is the best response to a bite.

Rattlesnake experiences

On my two dozen or so excursions along the Mid State Trail, I've encountered rattlesnakes twice. In one case, the snake was about six inches from the trail; in the other, it was on the trail itself, though hidden by brush. If you encounter a rattlesnake, back away as slowly and quietly as you can. Once you are a good distance (50-100 feet) from the snake, toss rocks or other debris so that they land BEYOND the snake's head, at least a foot or two. This will distract the snake, so that you can continue hiking. Remember, a rattler has the same attitude you do: it would rather you just went on your way and left it alone.

ee also

*Tiadaghton State Forest
*Tioga State Forest
*Rothrock State Forest
*Bald Eagle State Forest
*Buchanan State Forest
*Pennsylvania State Gamelands
*Similarly-named Massachusetts Midstate Trail
*Great Eastern Trail

External links

* [http://www.hike-mst.org Mid State Trail Association] - official website
* [http://www.personal.psu.edu/staff/m/h/mhb4/mst.html Photos of section of the PA-MST]
* [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/midstate.aspx PA DCNR's Mid State Trail Page (covers only areas on their lands)]
* [http://www.pahikes.com/trails/midstateSC_overview.asp PAHikes.com (Mid State Trail - State College Region)]

References

* Thomas Thwaites, "Map & Guide Set to Mid State Trail in the Seven Mountains of Pennsylvania", Mid State Trail Association, 2001, ISBN 1-931496-01-3