In This Issue:
  • Looking Down on Stone Valley from the Standing Stone Trail
  • Snow and a View in South Carolina
  • Hiking on the Web - Standing Stone Trail Club
  • Hiking Tip - Watch for Ice When Hiking in the Winter
  • Announcements - Hiking Organizations & Outing Clubs
  • Deal of the Month - The Hiker Water Filter by Katadyn
Looking Down on Stone Valley from the Standing Stone Trail

The Standing Stone Trail, formerly known as the Link Trail, extends from Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County to Cowans Gap State Park in Fulton County. The trail travels across the tops of Stone and Jacks Mountain, through State Parks, Forests, and Game lands, connecting the Tuscarora Trail to the Mid State Trail.

The northern trailhead for the Standing Stone Trail is located at Greenwood Furnace State Park within Rothrock State Forest. I had hiked many trails in Rothrock north of Greenwood but never ventured onto the trails found south of the State Park. For the past three years it had been suggested to me that I should hike the Standing Stone Trail. When the temperatures reached into the mid sixties in the middle of January I decided I would finally check out the Standing Stone Trail at it's northern terminus in Greenwood Furnace State Park.

[LINK TO TRIP REPORT AND PHOTOS]
Snow and a View in South Carolina

Mark and I use to do a lot of hiking in Pennsylvania. But then he decided to move to South Carolina and our hiking days were over, or so I thought. Last month I took a road trip down to South Carolina to visit Mark and his family. During my stay there Mark had arranged a day hike for us. A little over seven miles long and an elevation climb of over 2000 feet, this was to be one of the more difficult day hikes that he and I ever did together. So on a sunny but chilly Sunday morning, we headed towards the northwestern corner of South Carolina and Table Rock State Park. Oh, and did I forget to mention, while I was there . . . it snowed. Go figure.

[LINK TO TRIP REPORT AND PHOTOS]
Hiking on the Web - Standing Stone Trail Club

Our hike on the web this month takes us to the website of the Standing Stone Trail Club. This website is the home of both the Standing Stone Trail Club and the Standing Stone Trail.

The Standing Stone Trail is over seventy miles long and extends from the Tuscarora Trail in Cowan's Gap State Park to the Mid State Trail in Greenwood Furnace State Park. The Standing Stone Trail Club maintains the trail and has many trail maintenance days announced on their website. You can also get a trail guide and maps from the website. The trail guide can be ordered from the club for $15 and the maps are available for free online.

If hiking the Standing Stone Trail is in your future, then a stop by this website is strongly recommended. If you're interested in supporting this trail, membership applications are also available here. Membership runs from April 1st to March 31st, so mark your calendar and join this spring.

[VISIT THE STANDING STONE TRAIL CLUB WEBSITE]

Hiking Tip - Watch for Ice When Hiking in the Winter

So this probably falls under common sense or good advice instead of a tip. Regardless, ice can pose a serious problem to hikers in the winter months.

It goes without saying that ice can make you slip and fall. For a hiker, perhaps miles from civilization, this is cause for concern. Caution is needed when hiking during the winter months. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Rocks covered with ice are the most prevelant problem when it comes to ice and hiking. When hiking across rocks in the winter keep a watchful eye out for the slippery ones.
  • Use trekking poles when hiking during the winter months. They offer balance when you try to navigate across an icy area as well as assist in catching yourself if you do happen to slip.
  • Be extra careful in hollows and north facing slopes. The sun may be shining and the snow melting, but in these areas ice hangs around even into the warmer days of spring.
Announcements - Hiking Organizations & Outing Clubs

March 28-30 , 2008: KTA Trail Care Raccoon Creek State Park
Base camp: stay in the cabins in the park. Contact Mark Christy (724-695-5523) if you are interested in helping out. More information at www.kta-hike.org.

April 11-13 , 2008: Chain Saw Safety Training
Stay at Getty Ridge Camp. Contact John Motz (570-236-1462) to sign up. Limited to 25 people. More information at www.kta-hike.org.

Do you or your hiking organization or outing club have information that you'd like to share? Planning a trip, fund raiser, or future trail maintenance? Then let the "Go Take A Hike" e-Newsletter help.
Submit your announcements to webmaster@pahikes.com. We will post all announcements here each month for everyone to see.
[SUBMIT YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO THE WEBMASTER]
Deal of the Month - The Hiker Water Filter by Katadyn

The Hiker water filter by Katadyn is listed as the Backpacker Magazine's favorite high-output microfilter. It features a compact design and offers easy operation. The filter can handle 200 gallons (depending upon water quality) prior to needing replaced. The Hiker can output up to 1 quart per minute making short order of filling the water bottles in the morning.

During the month of February you can get an additional $5.00 off the already low price of $53.95. To get your Hiker water filer for only $48.95, just use the coupon code HIKER5 during checkout.

Only one coupon/coupon code per order. Some coupons can only be used once. Other restrictions may apply. This exclusive Deal of the Month offer is only valid for "Go Take A Hike" e-Newsletter subscribers.

[SAVE ON THE HIKER WATER FILTER AT THE HIKING SPOT]
   
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