The Rothrock Trail Alliance, a committee of ClearWater Conservancy, is launching construction of a new multi-use, single track natural surface trail in the Rothrock State Forest in Centre County.

Applied Trails Research, in collaboration with RTA and the Bureau of Forestry – Rothrock State Forest, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has field designed and flagged approximately 53 miles of new sustainable trails on a loop system across Rothrock State Forest.

Intended for shared use by recreators, including hikers, bikers and equestrian riders, the endeavor will expand on the forest's hundreds of miles of trails with more beginner and family-friendly terrain.

Construction will begin this year with 8 miles of trail in the Musser Gap area, with plans to connect to Hubler Gap and Whipple Dam in the future.

Financial support for the trail design came from private community members as well as grants from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.

Construction of the first 8 miles of trail is funded through a $365,700 grant from the Recreational Trails Program, administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation of DCNR. 

RTA plans to contract with a professional trail builder in the first quarter of 2024, with construction to follow.

“RTA and Clearwater negotiated this historic access agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, opening the pathway for third party groups to build trails within state forest,” said Jay Ziegler, RTA board chair. “We are excited to have pioneered this agreement to improve PA trails and finally reach the construction process for our local Rothrock State Forest. RTA represents all trail users and needs your help to make this vision a reality for all to enjoy.”

Public Meeting

Rothrock Trail Alliance and partners are hosting an open house and public stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Calvary Harvest Fields in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, to announce the start of the project, showcase trail design, and solicit funding to construct future sections of the project.

RTA is seeking support to fund future projects, including matching funds for DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation grants.

In addition to financial support, Rothrock Trail Alliance is seeking volunteers to assist in a variety of ways, including trail finish work, website maintenance, social media, capital campaign support, membership tracking, communications and more.

More information will be available at the Feb. 20 meeting and online at the Rothrock Trail Alliance website.  Also visit the Rothrock Trail Alliance Facebook page.

(Photo: View of Bear Meadows from North Meadows Road.)

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NewsClips:

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-- Observer-Reporter: Washington County Planning Commission Holds Jan. 17 Meeting On Greenways And Park Plan

-- Centre Daily Times: Proposed Penn State Commonwealth Arboreta Network Would Develop An Arboretum On Every Campus

-- Warren Times: Windblown - Impact Of High Winds On Trees, Forests -  By Chelsea Jandreau, Audubon Community Nature Center

[Posted: January 18, 2024]

1/22/2024