The anticipation of the approaching football season can create an overwhelming amount of tension in just about any avid Penn State football fan and some form of relief may be desired before the Hurricanes hit town next weekend.
The perfect remedy to this football anxiety may be found in the mountains that harbor Happy Valley.
Just a quick glance at the area surrounding State College provides solid evidence of the many hiking opportunities that abound outside the little metropolis.
Planning and organizing a weekend hike may seem like a complicated ordeal, but in reality, the process is quite simple.
The essential equipment of a map, water and a descent pair of hiking shoes are not hard to come by.
Maps and hiking guides of the area are available in the Penn State Bookstore and several shops along College Ave., and they can also be accessed from the Paterno Library and from the Penn State Outing Club located on the first floor of the Intramural Building.
"We have files, books, and maps of all trails," Penn State Outing Club program supervisor Ashley Sweda said. "You don't have to travel long distance, and we provide access to all those places."
In addition, free maps of trails can always be picked up on site at various state parks in the area such as Black Moshannon, Whipple Dam and Poe Valley.
If you're not looking to venture very far from campus, Rothrock State Forest may be just the place to hike.
The orange-blazed Mid-State trail is the main artery that cuts through the forest with many side trails that branch off of it. The Mid-State trail itself is well marked and easily navigable, but its best feature is all the spectacular views it offers of State College and the surrounding area. Most of the views do not reflect madcap civilization at all, but rather beautiful, rugged mountains that stretch out beyond the horizon.
"The Mid-State trail portion in Rothrock has scenic views and chances to see some wildlife," Ben Castelli (senior-marketing and international business) said. "It's a good trail for hiking."
The Mid-State trail for the most part runs along the tops of the ridges in Rothrock; therefore, hiking it is not very strenuous, as the vertical rises are usually very gradual. It tends to be a little rocky and dry in some sections, but a comfortable pair of sneakers and a few bottles of water should cover it without any problems.
As the first week of classes draws to a close and the weekend begins, hiking a few trails may be the perfect way to enjoy the last days of summer.
"Pennsylvania is an invaluable resource for outdoor interest, and we are right in the center of it," Sweda said.
