Place: Rothrock State Forest, State College, PA
Ridden: April 2014
Rothrock State Forest and Tussey Mountain is my favorite trail system. Since we were out that direction already for the Intergalactic Relay, we decided to head over after the relay, camp overnight at Penn Roosevelt State Park, and ride the next day. Our main goal was to pre-ride the Enduro stage for Trans-sylvania Epic; a course which included trails such as Old Laurel, Wild Cat Gap, and Croyle Run. Penn Roosevelt has a primitive camping area that was just perfect for the night. Due to the cold temps (went below freezing overnight) the campground was pretty much empty. Without other campers around, Cliff had a great time roaming the camping area. Despite a leaky air mattress and the frigid temperatures, we were tired enough from riding in the relay earlier that day to get a decent night of sleep.
After packing up camp the next morning, we headed over to the Old Laurel Trailhead with our Purple Lizard map and a map of the Enduro course. We started out on Old Laurel Trail and then to Three Bridges, two of my favorite trails. Cliff had a great time splashing around in the water beneath the bridges while Joël and I sessioned some of the rockgardens near by. We then headed over to Green Shot Trail and then back to the car to drop Cliff off. He was beat, time for him to take a nap while we finished our ride.
Next was Little Shingleton and the Croyle Run. In between each single track section we road on gravel roads. These roads were the way to get back up to the top of the mountain, so obviously we were always climbing up roads and then taking single track down. The roads gave us some time to enjoy the scenery and had some spots with scenic overlooks that gave a beautiful view of the mountains.
So far the trails had been challenging but rideable. OK, I had to walk a few rock gardens but overall enjoyable, fun, trails. This was until we got to the last single track trail, Wild Cat Gap. Rumor has it only one person rode all of this trail last year, and he is a local so he had the availability to practice it. We should have gotten the idea it is a tough descent when we saw guys doing shuttle runs with their downhill bikes on this trail. Sure, we have awesome Giant bikes that can handle anything, but this trail was just insane. All I can say is I thought I was going to die. We rode a good portion of it but when I saw Joël plummet off the trail into the rhododendron it was time to bail and walk. We finished most of Wild Cat as a very nice hike with our bikes.
After a long day riding we were hungry! All three of us enjoyed a picnic lunch made over the camp stove before heading home.
Looking forward to rocking the Enduro stage at TSE.
- written by Jess
- video and photos by Joël
- great trail companionship and fun by Cliff