The Rothrock Trail Alliance, a committee of ClearWater Conservancy, has launched construction on new, multi-use, single track natural surface trail in the Rothrock State Forest.

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 started this past January toward 7 miles of trail in the Musser Gap area, with plans to connect to Hubler Gap and Whipple Dam. 

The Hubler Gap / Whipple Dam 11-mile trail phase is planned to start construction this summer.

Financial support for the trial came from private and business community members as well as grants from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and  Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County.

Construction of the first 7 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. 

The Hubler Gap phase is also funded by the same grant program in the amount of $499,500.

Stakeholder Meetings

Rothrock Trail Alliance and partners are hosting two open houses and public stakeholder meetings  to announce the third phase of the Musser Gap and Hubler Gap/ Whipple Dam projects and solicit funding to construct future sections of the project.

The meetings will be held--

-- February 17 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Juniata College, Neff Lecture Hall in Huntingdon; and

-- February 18 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Calvary Harvest Fields in Boalsburg.

RTA is seeking support to fund future projects, including matching funds for 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 is available  on the RTA Meetings Announcement webpage.

The mission of the Rothrock Trail Alliance is to engage in and support efforts that advance trail infrastructure and promote positive experiences for all trail users.

RTA is a committee within ClearWater Conservancy, originally formed as a chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation in 2018 (known as Friends of Rothrock) and transitioned to the current arrangement in Spring 2023.  RTA works closely with DCNR.

Clearwater Conservancy and Rothrock Trail Alliance believe that every individual has a right to access and enjoy the natural resources within their community, and that these resources need to be nurtured and protected by all of us.

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[Posted: February 12, 2025]

2/17/2025