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Canoe & Kayak
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E-Mail: canoe@bedford.net
On the Juniata

HIKING IN BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
By: Lon Braman

Between the steel mills of Pittburgh and the ship yards of Philadelphia, nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania is green jewel, Bedford County, bordering Maryland in central Penn s Woods, is a fertile farmland surrounded by rugged rolling mountains. Originally settled in the l700's as pioneers pushed westward, Bedford County has kept many of its past traditions. It is a place where one can go to escape the rigors of life with no better way to do that than with a pair of hiking boots and a backpack. With trails that wind along remote ridge lines and leave you standing in awe at the sight of purple mountain tops in the distance, hiking in Bedford County is a truly rewarding experience. Nearly every hiking area of the county is accessible within a short drive from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Hiking available to the public includes: miles of trails in Blue Knob and Shawnee State Parks and state forest and game lands logging and fire roads. The newest, and probably most scenic, of the hiking attractions are the newly blazed sections of Pennsylvania s Mid-State Hiking Trail (MST). The MST crosses the county south to north - from Maryland where the trail joins the C&O canal trail to the MST trail section just west of Lake Raystown in Huntingdon County.

Whether you are a hiking and backpacking junkie or you would just like to spend a day on the trail with the family, there is something here to suit you.

Maryland state line to Koontzville

"The Mid State Trail (MST) is a wilderness foot path across Pennsylvania from Bedford County in the south to Tioga County in the north... the MST is almost entirely on public lands, mostly state forest." The majority of the trail can be considered rugged and intense by any hikers standards, climbing hundreds of feet in very short distances. The southern Bedford portion, beginning at the Maryland border and continuing several kilometers along Tussey

Mountain to Everett, PA, presents a true challenge for those looking for solitude in the out-of-doors. This southern most section highlights Hewitt covered bridge, The Sweet Root Natural Area in Buchanan State Forest, the 1930's 'settlement' areas, and spectacular vistas overlooking Bean's Cove - all in the first day and a half of hiking. This first portion is approximately 33 kilometers or 20 miles. I refer to the length in kilometers because the MST was the first hiking trail in the US to use the metric system for its measurements. Begirming in Maryland s Greenridge State Forest, the southern MST section snakes along back-country roads in remote villages situated along the base of Martin Hill. This is a definite misnomer because it is by no means a hill, actually it is the highest point along the MST. After ducking off Rt. 326 and onto Carnes Trail it doesn't take long to realize that this is going to be an ducking off Rt. 326 and onto Carnes Trail it doesnt take long to realize that this is going to be an intense hike, My friend and I could still make out the top of the mountain as we slipped in front of a ridge. Little did we know the dif6culty of the task ahead. At the time it didn t seem as if it would take a great deal of work to reach the top by evening. Oh, were we wrong! A mile or so into the forest we both began to comment sbout the steepness and how overloaded our packs actually were. Take heed to my warning: pack as light as possible without compromising on water. Just as vital as water is a camera - the views are outstanding! At kilometer 23.22 is Martin Hills summit with a fire tower perched at the peak. This is an excellent goal to end the first day. Be sure to camp near the top because not much further along is the Sweet Root Natural Area where camping is prohibited. The natural area in itself should be a destination of any avid outdoors man. While traversing through it we came across many exotic species of plants and animals, such as tree frogs, orchids, and evidence of black bears. People frequently see black bears and timber rattlesnakes in that area so be on the lookout. The trail winds through deep ravines as it follows a stream with giant rocks outcropping on both sides, all the while becoming lost in lush fern and moss gullies.

After exiting the Natural Area and heading north the MST Turns onto Garlic Trail, my favorite section of the trip. It was along this section that we were able to feel as though I've had left all traces of civilization behind. For nearly a mile I've could not even see the sky above us. The stream we were following into the ravine was steep, with new cliffs and caves around every corner.

This portion was simply breath-taking as I felt engulfed by the natural world that had quietly surrounded us. Everything was so close. For many miles the trail as simply the bed of a beautiful brook that spilled over tiny waterfalls. The forest ceiling was made of ancient hemlocks that stretched into the sky, and the walls were made out of' solid stone as boulders had long ago tumbled down to the places where they now rested. The whole Garlic Trail was unforgettable, a place I will visit again.

Once exiting Garlic Trail and crossing Rt, 326 the trail makes its way to Tussey Mountain. This was the only section of the trail that was in need of a little maintenance. After the trail gains some elevation it begins to roll along the west side of Tussey Mountain; passing several hunting cabins along the way. We ended our stretch behind the small village of Koonsville where there is a State Game Lands access area. It was at this point we were able to hike off the mountain and back to our vehicle.

Overallit was a splendid trip that is only five miles from Bedford. A great place for anyone visitin g the area who has a few days to get outside and enjoy Appalachia at its best. Just new to Bedford County is an additional section that runs north of the first leg. From June 16th to the 21st, 1999, the Keystone Trails Association blazed the section from Koontzvile north to Everett. That leg adds another day to day and a half of hiking to the trip. This section of the MST is just a portion of the trail that nuns through the county, The MST then continues north of Everett to Loysburg. For more information contact the river rats at Adventure Marine Ltd. or one of the other addresses listed below.

VITALS:

Anyone interested in hiking this, or any other section, of the MST needs to purchase a GUIDE TO MID STATE TRAIL IN PENNSYLVANIA 9th Edition, 1995. and a MST Map Set. Other (topo) maps that will work for this Bedford County section, and the other parts are available at the tax assessment office (maps are inexpensive), located in the courthouse annex in Bedford.

DIRECTIONS

The beginning of the trail is accessible by taking Rt. 326 south out of Bedford and following it until Chaneysville, near the Maryland border. Once in Chaneysville make a left, or turn east, onto Town Creek Road. A half of a kilometer onto Town Creek Road make another left onto covered bridge road. Follow it across Hewitt covered bridge and up the hill continuing to the top of Polish Mountain where Johnson Road(a trail) comes out on the left. It is approximately 21/4 km. from the covered bridge to Johnson Road. The northern section of the trail is accessible by Rt. 326 just south of Rainsburg. Look for a wooden state forest issue sign on the right as you're headed south. The sign reads Garlic Trail with an arrow. It is only a couple of miles south of Rainsburg.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hewitt Covered Bridge. Ruins of an old mill along Town Creek. Town Creek which is a cold, stocked, spring fed stream with native Brooke trout and also Rainbow and Browns. Martin Hill, the highest point along the MST. Sweet Root Natural Area, with many rare species of plants and animals. Views, Views, and more Views as the trail takes you over remote mountain country only minutes from town.

KEYS TO A HAPPY TRIP:

Remember to pack as light as possible, this trail is difficult under most weather conditions especially during the summer months. Try to hike it in the spring or fall of the year when the foliage is not so dense and the heat is less troublesome. Most importantly bring plenty of water for drinking. Even though there are many springs along this section when compared to the rest of the MST, the rugged terrain tends to even it out and will take its toll on your body. Also try not to make goal destinations that are unrealistic for the mountains, the essence of hiking is to slow down the pace. Don't forget that camera, the views are everywhere, along with many plants and animals.