In This Issue: A Short Hike Through an Old Growth Forest Winter Hiking in Pennsylvania's Largest Natural Area Three Thousand Acres Added to the Tioga State Forest The Link Trail Is Now The Standing Stone Trail Announcements - Hiking Organizations & Outing Clubs Deal of the Month A Short Hike Through an Old Growth Forest Located in Snyder County, between Thick and Buck Mountains is the Tall Timbers Natural Area. This Natural Area is over 500 acres in area and located within it is a 250-acre Natural Area known as Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area. This natural area contains an old growth forest of hemlock and white pines, some of which are over 150 feet tall. Surrounding this old-growth forest is the Tall Timbers Natural Area, an old second-growth forest. This hike, the first of 2007, starts at the Snyder-Middleswarth picnic area, following Swift Run through these ancient hemlocks. Hiking to the top of Thick Mountain, we visit the site of a fire tower and a plane crash of some 20 years ago. The hike finishes with a quick descent into Kettle Gap, following Swift Run Road back to the picnic area. [LINK TO TRIP REPORT AND PHOTOS] Winter Hiking in Pennsylvania's Largest Natural Area The Hook Natural Area, located within Bald Eagle Forest in Union County, is over 5000 acres in size, making it the largest Natural Area in Pennsylvania. The Hook Natural Area is named for "The Hook" that is found at it's middle. "The Hook" is where the North Branch of Buffalo Run snakes it's way between Jones and Buffalo Mountain. On a blustery, mid-winter day I decided to do a hike of the Natural Area that would take me from the top of Jones Mountain, along the southern banks of the North Branch of Buffalo Run, and then gradually back to the ridge line of Jones Mountain. [LINK TO TRIP REPORT AND PHOTOS] Three Thousand Acres Added to the Tioga State Forest Gov. Edward G. Rendell said this week the commonwealth will protect nearly 3,000 acres in Tioga County by adding the land to Tioga State Forest, as the result of a generous gift from the Bob and Marion Jones family. The land, formerly owned by a company that was controlled by the Jones family, has been transferred to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry. [LEARN MORE AT THE DCNR WEBSITE] The Link Trail Is Now The Standing Stone Trail As of January 12th, 2007, the Link Trail (or the Mid State Tuscarora Link Trail as it was officially known) received a name change. The trail, and it's supporting club, are now known as the Standing Stone Trail. Standing Stone Trail follows scenic ridge lines in Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Fulton counties: the south middle region of Pennsylvania's Tiltrock Country. The Standing Stone Trail, connecting the Mid State Trail in the north to the Tuscarora Trail in the south, is a destination in its own right, offering Pennsylvania hikers and backpackers a link to dramatic scenery, wild plant and animal life, and compelling history. [LEARN MORE AT THE STANDING STONE TRAIL CLUB WEBSITE] Announcements - Hiking Organizations & Outing Clubs 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 Eureka! Spitfire UL solo tent was listed as a "Best Value" in the latest BACKPACKER magazine. As a subscriber to this e-Newsletter, you can Save an additional $40 off the already low price of $179.99. Use Coupon Code BACKPACKER during checkout to take advantage of this Deal of the Month. Expires 3/31/2007. 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. [EUREKA! SPITFIRE UL SOLO TENT AT THE HIKING SPOT]     www.pahikes.com www.thehikingspot.com The Hiking Spot 290 South Main St. Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 (814) 359-4389 webmaster@pahikes.com Click on the link below to unsubscribe