Rothrock Trail Alliance’s public meeting held on February 20, 2024 in Boalsburg, PA, to
showcase plans for 53 miles of new shared use trails to be developed in Pennsylvania’s
Rothrock State Forest, was a tremendous success. Over 200 people from Huntingdon and Centre County, as well as neighboring areas attended, including residents, business owners, and government officials. In addition to RTA, fourteen organizations representing bikers, hikers, runners, equestrians, trail maintenance groups, and environmental conservation groups distributed information about opportunities within their organizations before and after the main meeting.
The Musser Gap trail project build (Phase 1) is starting this year with funding already secured and construction bids coming in this spring. Approximately 53 miles of new multi-use trails are
designed and ready to be built in Rothrock as additional funding becomes available. RTA
anticipates contracting 7-10 miles of new trail be built each season (spring to fall) depending on the amount of funding received each year.
The trail design and construction is mainly funded thru private donations and recreational
grants, with significant support already received from PA-DCNR and the Happy Valley
Adventure Bureau. The total estimated cost of this large project is 2.5 million dollars.
Currently RTA is seeking funds for our next segment of new trails connecting Hubler Gap with
Whipple Dam State Park. Our goal is to raise at least $100,000 to give us the 20% match needed to apply for a Pennsylvania RTP grant thru DCNR, so we need donations as well as volunteers to help with fundraising and grant writing. Volunteers are also needed in various committees to support RTA efforts, including help to maintain and improve existing trails.
RTA wants to create an alliance with all trail users and outdoor event planners and to become a portal of communication between user groups and DCNR for this project and others
within Rothrock State Forest.
RTA members were encouraged by the positive and supportive reception from the crowd
attending the meeting this month and look forward to working with everyone to move this
extensive project, and our vision, forward in the coming years.
