Friday Night Hikes

This might come as a bit of a shock to some people, but interestingly enough, I've only been hiking for two years now.  In a previous post I talked about my first time ever hiking, and that was at Mount Nittany after I graduated from high school in 2017 and that's when it all started. When answering the question, "Why do I hike?" there's no one answer. There seem to be a never ending number of reasons why, and every time I go for a hike, I add reasons to that list.  Overall I just love to be outdoors. Whether it's playing ball, shooting hoops, chasing after my dog when she sneaks out, or going for hikes. I just love the outdoors and being outside. When I first started hiking I was always thought that you had to hike up the side of a mountain, or a really big hill as some might say, but hiking is so much more than that and I think that's the reason I enjoy it so much.  Hiking comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes and it can be done by anyone. You ca...

In the summer of 2018, I was in the mountains of Wyoming on the trails heading to Titcomb Basin . My family decided to go on a hiking trip that turned into everyone fishing for the “ golden trout .” The first day, we had our packs all ready the night before at our campground in Montana. We had a two-hour drive to the trailhead. Once we all got to the trailhead we signed into the book that stated who we are hiking with and where we are planning on going for how long, the book helps people that are maintaining the trial know how many people should be there and if anything were to happen. Packs are on, heavy like usual, we stepped foot onto the trial all happy. The eight of us tried to stay together but we all hiked at different speeds. In the front of the group was the younger of the eight; Wyatt, Nathan, and myself. In the middle were the middle-aged; Carl, Shan, and Dave. Bring up the rear that just hiked at their speed and did not care when they arrived at to the camp spot. The fir...

It's always nice to have a great hiking buddy!  As much fun as it is to go hiking by yourself, it's always nice to have someone to go hiking with! Whether it's your dog, a family member, or just a friend. Going out with a buddy is a great bonding experience! Hiking with a friend also has plenty of advantages and benefits! For example, friends can help Act as a photographer/model. Help carry the load. Keep you safe. Navigate if you get lost. Just to name a few advantages to hiking with your friends! Hiking with your furry friend or pet is also great for bonding and building connections. As well as having advantages and benefits . Some benefits of hiking with your pet would include keeping yourself and your animal in your best shape!  The following are also great reasons to go hiking with your pet! The natural smells can be rejuvenating for your pet The obvious bonding experience  Your pet can meet other pets along the way Wh...

Unfortunately the weather hasn't been the best so hiking has been a little tough lately! However, there was a break in the rain this afternoon so I went out in the wet, and foggy mountains and went for a hike. This hike is at the Stone Mountain Overlook, located near Huntingdon, PA and is part of the Standing Stone Trail. Stone Mountain Overlook is 1.6 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Huntingdon, PA. The trail is great trail for walking/hiking.  Under normal weather conditions the trail has plenty of places to stop and admire the view. Unfortunately, the weather was not the best, so the view was clouded, by clouds and fog. Getting to the trail can be slightly difficult if you aren't paying attention as the trail is located about 2.5 miles into the Rothrock State Forest.  The most popular stop along the trail is the Hawk Watch. As you can probably guess, you can sit and watch hawks. Near the beginning of the trail is a bulletin board that has l...

Over the past week I had a friend of mine travel to Dublin, Ireland for a week. She just so happened to go for a hike while she was there and allowed me to blog about her trip and hike and for that, I say Thank You! Just to specify, this isn't the friend I'm talking about "These are a few of my favorite pictures from the Cliffs of Moher , which is located on the southwestern cost of Ireland. The path up to the top of the cliffs is paved, but when you get to the top the paths become dirt paths that walk along the edge of the cliffs. I was lucky to be there on a gorgeous day where the visibility was awesome to get some good shots of the cliffs." "So when you start up the cliffs you can either go left or go right. I chose to go right, but if you go left you can visit O'Brien's Tower , which looks like a really medieval castle, but was actually built in the 1800's to attracted tourists." O'Brien's Tower, photo taken from googl...

The best part of having a family that enjoys to hike is that you don't always have to go along! Today's hike is The Montour Trail located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Montour Trail overall is 60 plus miles long, and is the longest suburban, rail trail in the United States! This hike however is only focused on miles 25 through 29.  The Montour Trail is a hiking/biking/camping trail that extends for miles. The trail offers plenty of wildlife, as well as historic scenery. Such as old tunnels and bridges.  The trail has pulled reviews from TripAdvisor and Yelp and is one of the top trails recommended if you're from Pittsburgh or just visiting near by. There are trail heads and entrances to the trail every few miles so there's plenty of places to start and stop along the way! If you're worried about wildlife, don't worry! The trail is very well maintained and laid out, so the only wildlife you'll come along are some cute squirrels an...

Normally, I wouldn't post about the same hike multiple times. However, last night's hike was the best hike I ever had! When it comes to hiking, I've always preferred to go in the afternoon when the sun is shining and you the views are as far as the eyes can see. Last night my friend Nate and I decided to hike Mount Nittany around sunset and it was the most amazing hike I have ever gone on.  As the sun was going down behind the clouds and over the mountain as we began our hike, I was rushing to get to the top because I was slightly afraid to hike in the dark . Unsure of the wildlife at night and unsure if we would be able to see the trail it was a rush against time. The higher up we got, the more I started to realize I was missing a whole different hiking experience. The way the sun shined down between the trees as it was setting, the way the wind blew ever so gently to keep you cool, but not cold, just the overall beauty of nature in the evening.  Once we finally ...

Today's hike was a relaxing 4 mile hike through the Spring Creek Canyon , along Spring Creek. This hike is located on Shiloh Road  off of I-99 near Bellefonte, PA. The hike is a 3 mile loop according to Alltrails.com . However for this hike we hiked from the starting point to the ending point straight ahead at rock road and along a state game lands trail.   The trail is a level, gravel path along the Spring Creek. When you first arrive to the trail, there are two signs informing you on the trail length , the trail width, the trial slope , and even the trail surface.  Fishing, running, biking, and hunting are other popular activities in the surrounding area.  This is a popular trail for fisherman and anyone who enjoys nature and taking their dogs for a walk. If you choose to hike along the State Game Lands there are benches placed around the creek if you plan on stopping to enjoy the creek, but be sure to keep your eyes open for signs so you don't...