Month August 2023

Dead Man’s Hollow & Firewhistle Brewing

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McKeesport, PA

In the midst of the industrial town of Elizabeth, Dead Man’s Hollow is a welcome green respite! There are miles of wooded trails perfect for hiking and biking and it even connects to the GAP trail. You’ll find unique spots like the table rock, huge sycamores and spring wildflowers, and industrial ruins. Despite its ominous name, this is a delightfully peaceful hike and is great for some solitude. Afterwards, head back into Elizabeth for a pint at the community-centered Firewhistle Brewing.

THE HIKE: Dead Man’s Hollow Loop

Length: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 840 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, Biking
Parking: Large gravel lot
H&H: 4/5

Dead Man’s Hollow is a conservation area that includes over 450 acres  managed by the Allegheny Land Trust. It’s located southeast of the city in McKeesport along the Youghiogheny River. The ALT set out to preserve this area after it was revealed to have ecological significance and it’s now an excellent spot for spring wildflowers!

There are currently about 8 miles of trails at Dead Man’s Hollow and it links up to the Great Allegheny Passage for even more miles. The trails are open to hikers and cyclists, although be aware that some sections are very steep. 

Where to Park 

There are four parking lots to access the trails at Dead Man’s Hollow, although I suggest going to the Catfish Pond one. This is the largest lot with space for about 25 cars and is easy to access from McKeesport. After turning off Scenic Ridge Road towards the parking lot, the way is a bit rough and gravelly so be aware if you’re driving a smaller car. Take the road all the way to the end and then you’ll find the trailhead. There are kiosks with trail maps at all four parking areas, but be aware that the other three lots only have space for a few cars. 

History

In the 19th and 20th century, industry ruled in this area. From a quarry to a pipe factory, the location right along the river made it a prime spot. However, when the pipe factory closed in the 1920s, nature slowly took back over. The industrial ruins have made the hollow ripe for spooky stories. The area’s chilling name comes from local lore stating that in the 1800s, a group of boys stumbled upon a body hanging from a tree. Another folk story tells of a robbed store owner chasing the culprits into the woods and ultimately dying in the ensuing crossfire. For a wonderful overview of the facts and legends about the Hollow, see this article. If you like spooky stories, keep an eye out for Halloween hikes hosted by the ALT at Dead Man’s Hollow!  

The Trails

We visited Dead Man’s Hollow this year as part of the Oboz Trail Experience (learn more here) so we had to take a defined route. However, I would highly suggest parking at the Catfish Pond trailhead and starting out on the red-blazed Cool Spirit Trail. Bearing to the right will lead past a small waterfall and the interesting rock feature called Table Rock. Be aware that the trail down to Table Rock isn’t well defined and is quite steep. From there, follow the purple trail down into the hollow, until it meets up with the green trai. See the towering sycamore trees and take a picture in the tree trunk hideaway. Continuing along the green trail leads to the industrial ruins and the GAP trail. From there, you can continue along the lesser trod blue trail that leads up through peaceful woods. The lower half of this trail does have a lot of broken glass though so keep an eye on your four-legged friends. My least favorite trail was the yellow trail, which was extremely overgrown past the Calhoun road parking area. I was very grateful for long pants! To connect the yellow route back to the green or the red connector, there are some very steep switchbacks up the hillside. I found these to be a fun challenge but there are definitely times when I’d rather avoid and take an easier way up. 

No matter what route you choose, you’re sure to find some peace and quiet at Dead Man’s Hollow! 

THE BEER: Firewhistle Brewery

Address: 107 N 2nd Ave, Elizabeth, PA 15037
Distance from Trail Head: 10 mins, 5 miles
Website: https://firewhistlebrewing.com/
Food?: BYOF
Details: Outdoor seating, cocktails, pet-friendly outside

I’ve been wanting to make it down to Firewhistle for ages and I was so glad that this hike brought me out to Elizabeth! Firewhistle is a pretty small operation, but that’s part of what I liked about it! The cozy taproom felt like sitting around a friend’s kitchen and pretty much everyone knew either other. As you may have picked up from the name, Jason Berman, owner and brewer, has a close connection to emergency services. He has been a volunteer firefighter and has worked as a paramedic for many years and wanted his brewery to be a place that not only celebrates the work of emergency workers but also be a comfortable place for them to unwind at the end of the night!

Firewhistle is a small operation so in addition to their own house-made pours, they also offer a robust cocktail list and local wines. They also encourage their guests to order in from local restaurants like the pizzeria next door! The night we visited, we were able to enjoy a new stout on tap whose warming, chocolatey taste paired perfectly with an unseasonably cool August night. We also loved the Firewhistle Red Ale, and actually just stuck with these two delicious brews for the evening. I really appreciate a brewery that makes lower ABV beers, cheers to that! We also lucked out and visited on an evening with live music! 

Our Beer:

  • 139 Engine – Amber Ale – 4.9%
  • Flashover Stout – Stout – 5.1%

Looking for other hikes & hops South of Pittsburgh? Check out Mingo Creek County Park & Mondays Brewing, Boyce Mayfield Park & Recon at Hastings, or South Park & Spoonwood Brewing

Mount Nittany & Happy Valley Brewing

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State College, PA

Okay, okay, I may be a Pitt girlie but boy do I love a weekend in State College! I visited J out here so much when we were in college and I have many fond memories of exploring the area. Shockingly though, one thing we never did was hike Mount Nittany! Well that definitely needed to change. This is a very popular hike and I would suggest tackling it during the summer when school is out or you may have some trouble finding parking. The 940 ft in elevation gained is no joke so make sure to have proper footwear and plenty of water. Afterward, recharge at Happy Valley Brewing, a hip brewpub in a renovated barn. Make sure to look up for one of the coolest brewery ceilings I’ve ever seen!

THE HIKE: Mount Nittany

Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 940 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2.5 hours
Trail use: hiking, leashed pets
Parking: Small lot at trailhead, Port-a-Potty, nature table

Mount Nittany is arguably the most popular hike in Centre County. Not only does the mountain share its name with many businesses in the area, but more famously is the namesake for  the mascot of Penn State University, the largest college in Pennsylvania. But where does the name “Nittany” come from? It’s a little unclear but it seems to come from an Algonquian word meaning “single mountain”. This would make sense since Nittany Mountain is the lone high peak along the Nittany Ridge, making it an excellent place for views of PSU and the affectionately named Happy Valley. 

This area is maintained by the Mount Nittany Conservancy, a nonprofit formed by members of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association from Penn State. Originally members saved the mountain from the logging industry in the 1940s by raising money to purchase a large section of land on the mountain. But then again in the 1980s, the land was again under threat by developers, so the Conservancy was formed to purchase and preserve more of the mountain. Today, the Mountain Nittany Conservancy cares for over 300 acres of land and works with other landowners towards the long term preservation of the mountain. They also build trails, remove invasive species, conduct clean up days and so much more! 

There are over 8 miles of intersecting trail on Mount Nittany, with the most popular being the 0.6 mile hike to the Mike Lynch Overlook. This overlook gives sweeping views of the Penn State Campus including the Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium. Be prepared for a trek though, this trail gains over 600ft of rocky elevation in half a mile! Unfortunately the views are a bit obscured in my pictures due to lingering wildfire smoke.

For our trek, we wanted to do the full 5 mile loop of the blue and white trails in order to see all the overlooks. Although the map may look confusing, it’s nearly impossible to get lost on this hike due to the incredible work of the MNC to include signs throughout the hike. Each signpost lists the map reference for exactly where you are on the trail and gives GPS coordinates. THere are also several “shortcut” trails if the full loop feels like too much! 

When doing this hike, it’s important to remember that it is extremely popular both with locals and students. I would suggest doing it first thing in the morning or planning a sunset hike. But know that you will most certainly be sharing the trail with others. Also, there is only room for 3-4 cars at the trailhead, but there is additional parking down the road. Be sure to follow the signs and do not block anyone’s driveway. This is a residential area so try to be courteous to everyone! There are also portable toilets at the trailhead. One of my favorite aspects of this trail was the huge white board beside the posted map where hikers could add their wildlife observations. How cool! We saw several red efts but still no bears. Sigh. 

For the actual hike, start on the blue/white trail which will take you straight up a very rocky hillside. Even for someone fit, this part can be challenging. Bring plenty of water and be aware of the temperature and humidity for the day. I suggest keeping a counter-clockwise journey (aka right turns). Now that you’ve made it up the mountain, the rest of the hike until the descent is quite flat and easy. The first overlook is the Mike Lynch overlook, probably the largest and most popular due to its views of the PSU campus. However, if you keep onward, the best overlook in my personal opinion, will actually be the last one! Continue along the trail, always keeping to the blue blazed trail. You’ll pass other overlooks, some nicer than others. The trail remains easy and the flora is diverse and inviting. Nearing the end of the circle around the summit, you’ll reach the Nittany Mall overlook. This is the last of the overlook and arguably the nicest. There’s a huge rock perfect for sitting and the trees perfectly frame the vista. What more could you ask for! Finally, it is time to head back down the mountain along the same path you came up. It feels just as rocky going down so take your time! 

THE BEER: Happy Valley Brewing Co.

Address: 137 Elmwood St, State College, PA 16801
Distance from Trail Head: 1.4 miles, 5 mins 
Website: http://happyvalleybeer.com/
Food?: Full Kitchen
Details: Outdoor seating, No pets

Celebrate your victory over Mount Nittany with some brews and a meal at Happy Valley Brewing. This unique brewing is housed in an old barn and all of the details and decor nod to the building’s previous life. They even preserved the old Klinger’s Farm sign and have it proudly displayed over the bar! While you’re looking, take a gaze at the wall papered ceiling and you’ll get a chuckle out of the beer-minded renaissance figures. 

Happy Valley Brewing has a full kitchen menu specializing not only on pub favorites but also offering a more sophisticated menu of farm-to-table offerings. Although if you’re like me, after hiking all I want is a big tasty sandwich! I opted for the pulled pork and it was exactly what I wanted. In addition to the upstairs restaurant, there’s also a downstairs lounge that usually has live entertainment and a relaxed vibe. 

But what about the beer?? I felt compelled to get the Tailgater Pale Ale which was a delightfully hoppy ale with a slight tangerine flavor. Coming in at a low 4.&% ABV, this made for a perfect post-hike lunchtime pour. I only wish I had time to sample more! But most importantly, we had to save room for a stop at the Creamery. You just have to! 

Looking for more Central PA hikes & hops? Check out Peter’s Mountain & ZeroDay Brewing in Harrisburg, Pulpit Rock & 1787 Brewing in Hamburg, and Rickett’s Glen & Back Mountain Brewing Near Benton

Powdermill Nature Reserve & Four Seasons Brewing Co.

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Rector, PA

Powdermill Nature Preserve is a hidden gem tucked in the Laurel Highlands about an hour outside of Pittsburgh. Often overlooked by its better known neighbors, this small reserve has about 5 miles of hiking trails and a beautiful visitor center with educational exhibits that are fun and interesting for the whole family. Full of signs with nature facts and tree identifications, these peaceful trails taught me so much! After a peaceful, secluded hike, you can head over to Four Seasons Brewing in Latrobe for a pour in their spacious taproom.

THE HIKE: Powdermill Nature Reserve Trails

Length: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 725 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets
Parking: Large lot at nature center
H&H: 5/5

Powdermill Nature Reserve really flies under the radar in the Laurel Highlands as there are so many other more popular places to hike (ahem, here’s looking at you Ohiopyle) but I would highly recommend planning a visit out here. Powdermill is actually a part of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and functions as its environmental research center. So in addition to educational programming in the visitor center, Powdermill is also a field station and research laboratory. There’s a lot going on at Powdermill but one of their biggest projects is the Avian Research Center which tracks birds in the area to see how these creatures  are adapting to the changing world. Check out the Avian Research Center’s website for more info on the current research projects! 

As you may tell from my hikes, I love learning more about nature and the environment. Powdermill has been on my radar for a while and I’m so glad I finally made the time to visit! Be aware that the trails do not appear on AllTrails so be sure to check out the trail map on Powdermill’s website beforehand. Also, the area is a bit of a deadzone, so downloading the area to Google Maps is a great idea! The trail is also posted outside of the visitor center. 

There are a few different trails to explore here, all of a fairly manageable length. The longest is Porcupine Ridge which is 3 miles out-and-back from the visitor center. There is also a small system of trails behind the visitor center which add up to about 1.5 miles. I did a big loop of all the trails to experience the whole space! 

To start, carefully cross the street from the visitor center to find the Porcupine Ridge Trailhead. From here, you immediately head into dense woods. These trails are pretty secluded so you’re pretty likely to have the place to yourself! Not long after starting, there’s the option to add on the Sugar Camp Trail. I highly recommend this as it was full of cool fungi and had lots of interpretative signs about the flora and fauna of the area. I learned so much! After about 0.5 miles, the Sugar Camp Trail meets back up with the Porcupine Ridge Trail and you can continue towards the overlook. At one point, the trail crosses over a private road so be sure to stay on the trail! After the road crossing, the trail becomes more rocky and heads uphill. This is the most difficult part of the trail and can be muddy. The trail also passes through an area that suffered tornado damage some years ago. New trees have been planted and it’s critical to stay on the trail here so as not to disturb the reforestation. Finally, you’ll take the last hill up to the overlook. There is a small platform with a bench to take in the view of the hills. It’s not the most incredible view especially for the Laurel Highlands, but I thought it was a nice place to relax. Then, you can just retrace your steps back to the visitor center! From there, definitely explore the shorter trails behind the Visitor Center. There’s a beautiful spot where two creeks come together. I also really appreciated how many of the plants were labeled so that I could work on my identification skills! 

Finally, after your hike, be sure to check out the exhibits in the visitor center! I was particularly interested in their “marsh machine” that filters waste water. They also have some nice exhibits about the animals that can be found in the area. Plus, there’s a fun flow chart about finding out what bird you are. Apparently I’m a hawk! 

THE BEER: Four Seasons Brewing Co.

Address: 745 Lloyd Ave Exd, Latrobe, PA 15650
Distance from Trail Head: 18 miles, 25 mins
Website: http://www.fsbrewing.com/
Food?: Full Kitchen
Details: Outdoor seating, Pets outside

Four Seasons has been brewing up delicious brews in Latrobe since 2013. They’ve got a huge indoor taproom complete with an in-house restaurant and outdoor seating. Their warehouse taproom vibe is complemented by artwork by renowned illustrator Mark Brewer, whose work is also featured on cans from Four Seasons. The owner and head brewer is born and raised in Latrobe, which is evident from the neighborhood vibe of the place. It very much feels like a place for locals, although always welcome to out of towners! Head over for live music on the weekends! You can also find them pouring local wines, ciders, and liquors for you non-beer drinkers. Next time you’re in Latrobe, be sure to check out Four Seasons!

Our Beer:

  • Bluegrass Ale w/ Blueberries – Wheat Ale – 5.5%
  • Latrobe Lager – Lager – 5.4%
  • Hall of Fame – Hefeweizen – 5.8%
  • Catlas – Witbier – 5.1% 

Looking for more Hikes & Hops in the Laurel Highlands? Check out Wolf Rocks & Helltown and Ohiopyle & Bloom Brew