Hello friends!

Let's explore a gorgeous gateway to Rothrock State Forest...
This Sunday and Wednesday we'll take a hike along the Musser Gap Trail located off Route 45 between Pine Grove Mills and Boalsburg. The 423-acre property was purchased by ClearWater Conservancy in 2006 then transferred to DCNR Bureau of Forestry in 2007 in order to protect an important groundwater recharge area for the community as well as vital wildlife habitat. 

Then in 2014, the Musser Gap Greenway was opened through a partnership with ClearWater Conservancy and Penn State , connecting Rothrock State Forest to downtown State College via a 1.5-mile gravel trail that runs from the Musser Gap Trail to Whitehall Road.

Efforts and initiatives in this area continue to expand today, and in April a conservation plan was approved by Penn State for the 355 acres on the opposite side of Route 45 from Musser Gap to “protect the region’s precious water resources, provide a memorable and inspiring trail experience from State College to Rothrock State Forest, and create a safe and inclusive environment for the community.” (Penn State News Release, April 25, 2022)

Musser Gap is an incredibly scenic and important place that's been conserved and protected over the years with support from partnering organizations and a community of individuals that understands the importance of protecting the region's natural resources. We hope you can join us to explore this special place this week!

See you soon!
Bridget Whyte, Adventure Coordinator
ClearWater Conservancy
Questions? Reply to this email or send to: adventure@clearwaterconservancy.org
Upcoming Adventures!
Sunday, August 21 at 1 and 3 pm
Wednesday, August 24 at 6 p.m.

The scenes along the Musser Gap Trail are memorable no matter the season. The 423-acre property was purchased by ClearWater Conservancy and transferred to DCNR Bureau of Forestry in 2007 in order to protect an important groundwater recharge area for the community as well as vital wildlife habitat. The trail is at a steady incline most of the way up with a beautiful bridge crossing over a brook about 0.8 miles in.

Schedule for this week:

Sunday, August 21:

🌳 1 and 3 p.m. Join a guided group hike along Musser Gap Trail to the foot bridge crossing Musser Run and back, about 1.6 miles altogether. The wide gravel trail inclines steadily on the way to the bridge, so a walking stick or pole may be helpful for some.

📝🍃☮ 1 and 3 p.m. Participate in a nature journaling experience, Leaf Me Alone, with Ann Taylor-Schmidt: Focusing on the natural world is meditative and renewing. Let’s do that with this wellness exercise focusing your thoughts on a specific tree and its leaves; describing them on paper with words, numbers, drawings, tracings and/or impressions; then, writing your questions to help you discover more later or writing about what’s on your mind – downloading it to help you untangle some feelings. You can focus on your own wellness, when you focus-in on nature. 
 
Wednesday, August 24:

🌳 6 p.m. Join a guided group hike along Musser Gap Trail to the foot bridge crossing Musser Run and back, about 1.6 miles altogether. The wide gravel trail inclines steadily on the way to the bridge, so a walking stick or pole may be helpful for some.
Prepare for your adventure:

Location & Parking:

What to expect:
  • Hike length: Just under 2 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderately Difficult - the first half of this hike inclines steadily
  • Terrain: Wide gravel trail

Items to bring/ways to prepare for a safe and fun day:
  • 👟 Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
  • 💧 Filled water bottle
  • 🧴 Sunscreen and hat
  • 👖 Bug spray and/or long pants and sleeves for insect and tick protection
  • 🦯 Walking stick or hiking pole if needed
  • 🎒 Child carrying pack for young children
  • 🐕 Pets on a leash are welcome
Sunday, August 28 at 1 and 3 pm
Thursday, September 1 at 10 a.m.

Plan an adventure along the boardwalk at Millbrook Marsh to discover the unique ecologic and historical features of the marsh and surrounding property. Whether you are a birdwatcher, toddler, student, or retiree - a walk along the boardwalk will offer relaxation and education, as well as an appreciation for the work these wetlands and organizations are doing to protect our region’s waterways and communities today and generations from now.
Have a ball supporting ClearWater during Golf-Fest!

During ClearWater Conservancy’s Annual Golf-Fest, everyone has a chance to win big during the Golf Ball Drop sponsored by Best Line Equipment!

On August 29 at Mountain View Country Club, 1,000 numbered golf balls will be dropped from a bucket truck, and the person whose number lands closest to the pin wins $1,000! Second place wins $300 and third wins $200, plus other prizes will also be awarded.

To enter, purchase golf balls online - 5 golf balls for $20. Only 1,000 golf balls will be sold! You need not be present to win and the drop will be livestreamed via Facebook. Thank you for supporting ClearWater Conservancy!
Centred Outdoors is a program of ClearWater Conservancy, made possible with financial assistance from an Environmental Stewardship Fund grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Financial assistance for the program is also provided by the Hamer Foundation, Mount Nittany Health, and community organizations.
ClearWater Conservancy | 814-237-0400 | contactus@clearwaterconservancy.org