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THE STANDING STONE TRAIL
November 5, 2023 – Fall Hike
MEETUP LOCATION:Parking Lot # 1 at Cowans Gap State Park.
MEETUP TIME:10:00 AM
OVERVIEW:A loop hike just over six miles which traverses Lakeside Trail, Tuscarora Trail, Fox Trail, and Standing Stone Trail. The route does include a climb up and down the mountain along with a rocky ridge top crossing.
HIGHLIGHTS:Views atop Cove Mountain, discussing the history of the area, and understanding the redesign of Fox Trail by the Standing Stone Trail Club to be more suitable for hiking.
HIKER PREP:Hikers should wear sturdy footwear and are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Some may find hiking poles to be helpful.
Click here for Strava Route
August 6, 2023 – Night Hike
MEETUP LOCATION:Stone Mtn. Parking Area along Allensville Road. We will then shuttle hikers to the start at Pole Trail along Turkey Hill Road.
MEETUP TIME:7:30 PM
OVERVIEW:A one-way hike just over four miles, and the terrain is very rocky at times with a long climb to ascend the mountain.
HIGHLIGHTS:Seeing the night sky from several viewing spots.
HIKER PREP:Hikers are required to have a headlamp, should wear sturdy footwear, and are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Some may find hiking poles to be helpful. Please note this hike is likely to be cancelled in the event of rain. Click here for Strava Route
May 14, 2023 – Mother’s Day Hike
MEETUP LOCATION:State game lands parking lot along Mill Creek Hollow Road. We will then shuttle hikers to the start at the trail’s first crossing of Frew Road.
MEETUP TIME:9:00 AM
OVERVIEW:A one-way hike just over five miles, and the terrain contains several small hills.
HIGHLIGHTS:Blooming wildflowers such as Lady Slipper orchids, large sandstone formations, and several small streams.
HIKER PREP:Hikers should wear sturdy footwear and are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Some may find hiking poles to be helpful. Celebrate Mother’s Day by taking mom hiking! Click here for Strava Route
APRIL 22, 2023- EARTH DAY WORKDAY AT Thousand STEPS
MEETUP LOCATION:Thousand Steps Parking Lot along Route 22
MEETUP TIME:12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
OVERVIEW:Celebrate Earth Day by coming to the first workday of the year at the Thousand Steps. We will meet at noon in the parking lot and break up into teams. Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities which include trash pick-up, clearing the steps, the coveted job of cleaning out the drains by the dinky shed, and for those looking for a real challenge, building up the cribbing. Trash bags and some tools will be provided.
HIKER PREP:Please bring gloves, water, snacks, and anything else that you may need. be helpful.
APRIL 01, 2023 – SST Club Spring Meeting
MEETUP LOCATION:Rothrock States Forest Headquarters - Huntingdon, PA
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OVERVIEW:Come join the Standing Stone Trail Club as we hold our annual Spring meeting. We will discuss ongoing issues, make plans for 2023, and fill leadership roles. Everyone is encouraged to attend as we value your input and need your help to make the SST Pennsylvania's premier footpath!
February 5, 2023 – Winter Hike
MEETUP LOCATION:Thousand Steps Parking Lot along Route 22
MEETUP TIME:12:00 PM
OVERVIEW:A loop hike following a dinky grade to Big and Little Inclines, then up past the steps to Ledge Quarry, and finally descending the steps.
HIGHLIGHTS:Ledge Quarry Vista, seeing the history of the area, and hiking the Thousand Steps.
HIKER PREP:Hikers should wear sturdy footwear with traction equipment and are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Some may find hiking poles to be helpful. Click here for Strava Route
May 22, 2021 – CRIBBING WORK AT 1000 STEPS
MEETUP LOCATION: Thousand Steps Parking Lot
MEETUP TIME:9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
OVERVIEW: The workday will consist of stacking rocks along the steps to build up the cribbing.
APRIL 24, 2021 – ANNUAL SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MEETUP LOCATION: Riverside Park, Mapleton PA
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OVERVIEW: The SSTC reviewed regular club business, discussed upcoming trail priorities, and held an election of officers. The public was invited and the meeting was outside with proper social distancing encouraged.
APRIL 22, 2021 – 1000 STEPS SPRING CLEANING
MEETUP LOCATION:Thousand Steps Parking Lot
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM
OVERVIEW: A In honor of Earth Day, volunteers cleaned out the dinky shed, swept the steps and picked up trash.
JANUARY 18, 2020 – GREENWOOD FURNACE SNOWFEST 5-MILER
MEETUP LOCATION: Greenwood Furnace State Park
MEETUP TIME: 1:00 PM
OVERVIEW: This 5-mile trail race will start at pavilion 7, runs past pavilion 8 to the Standing Stone/Monsell trailhead, then climbs up the east side of Monsell trail to the Lorence Trail to connect with Turkey Trail, ascends the switchbacks about 900 feet to the top of Stone Mountain, then turn left (north) onto the SST.
STANDING STONE TRAIL OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING TRIP
MEETUP LOCATION: Riverside Park, Mapleton
MEETUP TIME: Saturday 9:00 AM - Sunday 3:00 PM
OVERVIEW: Two day, one night backpacking trip of approximately 20 total miles split equally over 2 days on the Standing Stone Trail in Huntingdon County. Be prepared for stunning panoramic views, including The Throne Room and The Hall of the Mountain King. Enjoy a relaxing night at the Butler Knob Shelter with picnic table, fire ring, and spring nearby. Rain or shine. No pets.
WORKDAY AT THE 1000 STEPS
MEETUP LOCATION: Thousand Steps Kiosk
MEETUP TIME: 1:00 PM
OVERVIEW: Volunteers will clean up the Dinky House, work on water mitigation, and do a small-scale trash pickup. More specifically, volunteers will rake leaves out of the Dinky House, fill in the engine pit in the Dinky House, clear springs next to the Dinky House of leaves and blockage, lop branches from trees, clear away foliage as needed on the side trail to the view of Mount Union and on the main trail up to the view of Mapleton. All ability levels are welcomed and very appreciated! Please bring water and snacks for yourself. Tools and garbage bags will be provided.
SST COMMUNITY HIKE: GAME LANDS ACCES AREA TO DOUBLE POWERLINES
MEETUP LOCATION: Game lands access area at the intersection of State Gamelands Road and Mill Creek Hollow Road
MEETUP TIME: N/a
OVERVIEW: This hike is about 3.5 miles over rolling terrain away from the ridge of Stone Mountain. The hike starts at the large parking area near the intersection of State Gamelands Road and Mill Creek Hollow Road and continues south to the power lines that cross Mill Creek Hollow Road. There are no large climbs with 266ft elevation over the whole hike. The trail is a bit rocky in places and may be wet too.
WORKDAY AT THE 1000 STEPS
MEETUP LOCATION: Thousand Steps Kiosk
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
OVERVIEW: Volunteers will assist in graffiti removal, water mitigation and trash pickup. All ability levels are welcomed and for the most hearty, we plan to walk the ravine along the steps to gather trash. Please bring water and snacks for yourself. Tools and garbage bags will be provided.
COMMUNITY HIKE
MEETUP LOCATION: Parking lot in front of Greenwood Furnace State Park Office.
MEETUP TIME: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
OVERVIEW: This is a five mile loop hike will consist of Monsell Trail > Lorence Trail > Turkey Trail > Standing Stone Trail. Several years ago, the SSTC worked to make this loop possible and greatly improved Turkey Trail so visitors to the park would have a long distance loop from the park. The hike will showcase trail work done by the club, while we also visit the Greenwood Vista and take in the fall foliage. This hike is moderately difficult as there is a long climb to the ridge top and the trail can be technical at times. Please bring water, snacks, proper footwear, and other hiking gear that you find helpful.
THOUSAND STEPS WORK DAY
MEETUP LOCATION: Thousand Steps Kiosk
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
OVERVIEW: Volunteers will work on maintaining the corridor for the steps by doing maintenance to preventative cribbing next to the steps. Bring work gloves, snacks, and water for yourself for the day. Any large empty plastic buckets (5 gallon round or square large cat litter buckets) you can bring will also help with work completion for moving rocks. Feel free to join us for a few hours or for the entire event. Any and all help is appreciated! And after our workday is complete, we can visit Top's Diner in Mill Creek for a hearty, well deserved meal!
COMMUNITY HIKING SERIES - Hosted by the mst assoc. & SSTC
MEETUP LOCATION: Frew Road Crossing
MEETUP TIME: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
OVERVIEW: This hike will be about 6 miles or 10 kilometers and will start where the SST crosses Frew Road, continue through Rocky Ridge Natural Area, and finish at the parking lot off Mill Creek Hollow Road near the State Gamelands Access Road. The trail is mostly through open forest and is somewhat less difficult than on the ridge. Hikers are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and to bring water and snacks. Any hike that wants to make a loop can take Dogwood Trail back to Three Sisters or use Frew Road.
THOUSAND STEPS WORK DAY
MEETUP LOCATION: Thousand Steps Kiosk
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
OVERVIEW: The goal of this clean up is to rake leaves out of the dinky house, to fill in the engine pit in the dinky house, to clear springs next to the dinky house of leaves and blockage, and to lop branches from trees and clear away foliage as needed on the side trail to the view of Mount Union and on the main trail up to the view of Mapleton. We may also be completing other minor maintenance tasks depending on the number of participants.
SPRING CLEANING AT THE THROUSAND STEPS!
MEETUP LOCATION: Thousand Steps Kiosk
MEETUP TIME: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
OVERVIEW: I's time for spring cleaning at the Thousand Steps! Let's get the Thousand Steps ready for the busy summer hiking season with a community trash pick up day hosted by the Standing Stone Trail Club. After making the vistas at the top neat and clean, we will hike back down picking up any litter that we find along the way. Trash bags will be provided, but volunteers should bring their own gloves and a snack and drink for the morning's work.
HIKE WITH THE MID STATE TRAIL CLUB
MEETUP LOCATION: Laurel Run Road MST crossing at Little Singletown Path
MEETUP TIME: 10:00 AM
OVERVIEW: The SSTC is hosting a hike in conjunction with the Mid State Trail Club. The hike starts at Laurel Run Road where the MST crosses and finishes at Detweiler junction where the SST ends. The distance is about 7 miles or 11 kilometers, but with little elevation gain. The trail is technical at times and there is a gradual descent to Detweiler junction. This hike is also historically significant as it includes the first section cleared on the MST in 1969 and other point of interest such as the Tom Thwaites monument, the view at Indian Wells, and the Little Flat Fire Tower. Given the nature of the trail, you are encouraged to wear proper footwear, bring water and snacks, and some may prefer hiking poles.
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