2 Gaps 2 Ridges route

Overview
This is a 35 mile loop that has it all, challenging climbs, central PA rock gardens, both ridge rides and just enough breaks in the action to keep you going, but relishing the the beer and pizza at the end. Also has the ability to lengthen or shorten the route at many points should the need arise


Description
Starting from Home D, a local "watering hole" that has a brewery and pizza joint, head up Atherton St on the side walk until turning left on Whitehall Rd. and head west on Whitehall Rd using the bike lane before crossing Whitehall Rd and dropping doubletrack through the farmland to Rte 45. Cross Rte 45 and start up Musser Gap Trail.

This trail becomes increasingly steep until you make it up the shoulder and bear left off the doubletrack onto the singletrack that brings you out at the power line. Turn left here and follow the power line north. After about 3/4 of a mile you have the option of continuing to follow the power line to the vista that overlooks State College or turning right onto the singletrack of the Musser Gap Link trail.

Following the Musser Gap Link trail as it rolls across the forest before connecting to the Red White Trail and then continuing on Charcoal Flats Trail then connecting to Shingletown Gap Trail (lower) where you continue the climb until it intersects with Lower Trail at the gate to Laurel Run Rd. From there climb up the road and over the top before bearing left on to Little Flat road that goes up to the fire tower. Half way up go round the gate and continue up to New Laurel Run Trail. Turn right onto New Laurel Run Trail and drop that back down to Laurel Run Rd.

Continue down Laurel Run Rd for ~0.5 miles before turning left up Bear Gap Rd. Here begins another slow grind for the next ~2 miles as you climb up to Gettis Ridge Rd Trail passing the vista near the entrance to Wildcat Gap Trail. Definitely worth stopping for a breather here at the vista, as you are almost done, at the top turn left going round the gate onto Gettis Ridge Rd Trail and follow this to the intersection with North Meadows Rd. Turning left enjoy the down hill respite of North Meadows Rd, stopping at the vista over looking Bear Meadows bog. 2.5miles later go round the gate at the intersection with Bear Meadows Rd, turning right past the parking area before making a left onto the beginning Tussey Mountain Trail known locally as Tuxedo.

Climb up this and drop down the other side crossing over Kettle Trail and continuing across Tussey Mountain Trail is one of the best and well known trails in Rothrock. It offers great views and great ridge riding all the way to the iconic Beer Tap landmark. At the Beer tap take a left down Dylan's Path, watch the 90 degree turn at the bottom across the gas line and more downhill fun. (You are now on private land that is typically open all year BUT BE RESPECTFUL of the local hunting seasons that run Mon - Sat during certain time and limit you use during those periods). Remember to make the right at the bottom to avoid the sometimes inconspicuous cable gate where Dylan's Path and Corner Road meet. Follow Corner Road out to Bear Meadows Rd, turning right and continuing down.

All good things come to an end, after a ¾ mile on Bear Meadows Rd turn left onto Laurel Run Rd and begin regaining all the elevation you lost, this is a 1.5 mile climb to Greenshoot Trail. Turn right down Green Shoot trail to begin the climb up to Bald Knob Ridge Trail . After the grunt work climbing, it is a fun jaunt across Bald Knob Ridge Trail for 1.4 miles before the real fun begins. Descending Maguire Trail down to Lower Trail .

Once you hit Lower Trail, make sure you turn right and head down Lower Trail, this partt has a good challenging mix of rock/root gardens all the way down to the Shingletown Gap Trailhead and then down Mountain Rd.

Drop the entire length of Mountain Rd., turning right on to Rte 45 at the bottom. Follow this before taking the first left onto Woodside Dr., then turn right onto Branch Rd., which takes you back into State College. Be sure to stop at Home D , opposite Sheetz, for a cold beer and one of their pizzas - the perfect post ride fuel.