Reaching New Peaks

We are collectively getting to that time of year where everyone is itching and yearning for consistent warm weather. Consistently not waking up to darkness and ripping wind and bitter cold. Consistently not having to double up on socks, thick marshmellowy coats, and hats everyday just to survive the walk from your room to your classes. (I stress the word consistently because let's not forget about the few glorious days of summer we had in the dead of a Penn State winter). If your one of those people that loves the cold and is not experiencing unruly spring fever, let me just say I respect you but do not understand you. With the onset of spring and warmer weather in the hopefully very near distance, so many possibilities are going to bloom for outdoor adventure and exercise, which will be a nice change up from crowded gyms and mustering the will power to walk to said gym when the temperature is in the low teens. Thankfully we are in a location with an abundance of well-known and not-so-well-known amazing hikes and dams and outdoor adventure spots that will be a nice change of scenery and a little bit of a challenge for all different kinds of people.

People generally have this notion that there is Penn State campus and not too much else around it. While that may be true in some ways...there are certainly plenty of opportunities to get out in nature, break a little sweat, and spend a day laughing with friends. The most notable place to start if you're looking for a little low-difficulty, short yet beautiful hike with friends would be Mount Nittany. Just a short drive out of State College and you can take the low intensity hike to the best view of Happy Valley. According to Bill's Hikes, a site dedicated to hiking in Centre County and the surrounding areas, its about 600 feet vertically and can be anywhere from 2-8 miles, depending on path. They say it will be no more than 4-5 hours to see the whole mountain, or under 2 hours to circle the top. An important thing to note is the popularity, as they say "you'll never hike this alone!". If you're looking for something quiet, maybe this one isn't for you. By clicking on THIS link, you can take a virtual hike of the mountain and see what you're in for on the next nice day!

Mount Nittany

Another hiking option (it was hard to pick a second because there was so many), is the James "Jimmy" Cleveland Trail. Sometimes referred to as the "other" Mount Nittany, the trail is a tad more difficult and a little more rocky so sturdy shoes are essential. The trails are named after James Cleveland who passed away in May of 1931 in a plane crash: "On May 24th, 1931, James (Jimmy on the memorial obelisk) Cleveland died in a plane crash. he was an early air mail pilot. In addition to an inscribed obelisk, there is a stone tower upon which rest some of the wrecked parts of his plane--an aging memorial in aluminum and steel.  There is a generally solemn feeling here, and you can't help but feel something of what the first rescuers must have felt, having climbed the same hill to this lonely spot. Take a few moments on one of the benches" (Bill's Hikes). It is said to offer a magnificent view of the sunset and of Happy Valley from a different angle. After off-roading on various gravel roads, you are rewarded with a peaceful and quiet hike like no other right outside of your town. A virtual tour can be taken HERE!

James Cleveland Trail