Rothrock State Forest, PA, Ironstone Loop

[JustinHEMI]

My 16 year old nephew contacted me about wanting to go backpacking/hiking with me. Like any good uncle, I decided to toss him into the deep end with a strenuous 16.3 mile overnighter that would feature a steep ascent and a steep descent, both on the second day.

He was a champ. He hung in there and was actually the perfect hiking partner..., meaning he wasn't chatty the whole time. He accepted guidance and learned a lot, and maybe learned that he has some limits despite thinking that he's superman. He also said that he wants to start hanging instead of sleeping on the ground!

This hike also reminded me why I hate hiking in high humidity regardless of the temperature.., you're always moist.

Anyway, I had a great time and I can't wait to go out with him again!



My nephew Ryan ready to hit the trail. He's a little small for his age, but we decided to get him the smallest adult sized gear we could so that he could grow into it. The pack was a bit too big for him, but he'd quickly grow out of a child size pack.





We parked at Lake Perez in the Stone Valley Recreation Area which is run by Penn State. The students that run the joint are nothing but helpful and nice and they didn't mind us parking there overnight. I actually parked here two falls ago for another hike in this area. It was deserted then.






We cross the spillway of Lake Perez.






Looking east across the lake.






Crossing out of the Penn State owned area into the state forest.






Just a gnarly tree that stood out among the pines.






First break.






I may be getting soft in my old age, I let the Padowan bring a camp chair. I should have made him start out on rocks and logs.






Typical PA ridge trail. Rocks. Moss. Roots.






Steeply descending into camp for the first night. Some stone steps helped slow things down a bit.





Watching the Padowan figure out his first tent, while coaching and criticizing from the comfort of my hammock. They make them so easy these days with everything being color coded.





Camp all set up, ready to cook dinner.





The next morning featured a steep climb up Tussey Mountain on a trail called "Indian Steps". I found the steps created more work as I had to step higher than normal to climb them. It was slow going, sometimes down to 1/2 mile per hour.

We started at 1373 feet and ended at 2045 feet in less than 3/4 of a mile!






Still climbing.






Climbing...,












More climbing this god forsaken trail. Talus getting larger.






Dying. But I see the light!






At the top!!!!






Views

[JustinHEMI]

Last view, bisected by a powerline. North side.





South side view.






The cool thing about having a 16 year old nephew out on his first hike is sending him first to eat all the spider webs.





Monroe furnace. The hike even had some history.





East side of Lake Perez. Then back to the truck.






Our track, followed by elevation profiles showing our steep ascent and steep descent. I actually prefer climbing, as going down really burns the knees.

[AlanH]

Your a good Uncle. Looked like a good time. Great hike to start someone on. My son was the same build when younger. Now at 16 he's 5'10' and still growing. A lot of good memories were made there. Take care,

[LazyBee]

Nice trip report and thanks for posting. That furnace photo looks familiar to a civil war era furnace I ran across on a paddling trip on Lake Alatoona, north of Atlanta. I think it was used to melt ore down or something similar?

[JustinHEMI]

Nice trip report and thanks for posting. That furnace photo looks familiar to a civil war era furnace I ran across on a paddling trip on Lake Alatoona, north of Atlanta. I think it was used to melt ore down or something similar?

That's correct, their ruins can be found all over, from the time before steel mills

[Singletrack]

That is my favorite loop! You can't beat the $1.00 shower at the end.

[Klaussinator]

Beautiful area, wish I would've taken more advantage of it in my younger years when I lived just down the road. I'm now in Virginia, but find myself at Lake Perez several times a year when we we're up visiting in-laws. I am the new owner of a Sevylor Colorado inflatable kayak which I plan to bring with me on the next trip to the lake. I've never done the 16 mile loop up Tussey mountain and back, but I appreciate your map tracks and have added this to my must-do list.

-Klauss

[JustinHEMI]

You can extend it to 20ish miles by continuing on the ridge and dropping back down later. Lots of possibilities in that area. The ridge is bone dry, though.