Grass Mountain

Fall is such a lovely time to go for a hike, and if you're looking for a nice reward, without too much effort Grass Mountain fits the bill.

This is a shuttle hike, which made it ideal since I had a partner with a car hiking with me. We parked her car at Alan Seeger Natural Area and then drove my car to Penn Roosevelt State Park.

Park in the day use area of Penn Roosevelt and head uphill past the 4-H camp on Thickhead Mountain Road, a gravel road. After a bit you will pass a gate and continue on Thickhead Mountain Road, which is a forest road/jeep trail at this point. Have fun going up and over the "moguls", as she called them. They're actually runoff control for when it rains excessively, to keep the road from washing out.

The road makes a wide u-turn and at the point of the "U", look for Long Mountain Trail on your left heading uphill. (Red blazed)

This trail heads up the steep eastern end of Grass Mountain. It is a bit of a climb so take your time. The reward is that when you attain the top, you will cross a wide, grassy, gas pipeline. On the far side of the pipeline follow a short side trail 100 yards to a campfire circle and gorgeous view of Slate Ridge to the south.

After you've enjoyed the view, return to the red blazed trail and continue west along the spine of Grass Mountain. You will gently descend along a grassy jeep trail that is used to access the pipeline for inspection and maintenance. Be careful as you reach the lower end of the trail, it is part of a Penn State research area and many of the trees are blazed in a variety of colors. These are to code them for the researchers, and not additional trails to follow.  

This trail forms the southern boundary of Thickhead Wild Area. According to the DCNR website, "...these 4,886 acres provide an extensive, undeveloped area of mixed-oak forest. Thickhead Mountain Wild Area surrounds the Detweiler Run and Bear Meadows Natural Areas."

Staying on the trail, you will come to the gated junction with Stone Creek Road. Turn right and walk along the road to return to your car.

4.6 miles

689 ft. total elevation gain
2 hours 40 minutes