Reviewed by: don , from centre hall, PA

Summary:
OK I SWORE BEFORE, BUT NOW I know THAT I'VE REVIEWED THIS ALREADY. there is some great riding here that i usually do because i'm fat and slow, but i can get my fix of rock in about an hour, then it's off to the bicycle shop, (where you can get a purple lizard for you fit people) there are sections here that are not rideable (once again if you've cleaned the rocks on the left of the creek email me for your prize) but the rideable stuff rules. great fun coming down, plus there are more downhills if you want to climb up to bald knob. i suggest you take a right on the dirt road then a left after the top and go out to the fire tower. good view, and a nice rocky singletrack drop back to the trailhead on the dirt road.

Recommended Route:
straight up then connect to some stuff in rothrock by the fire tower, back however you like.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
rothrock, (which this really is) scotia, and if you are up for some travel time: RATTLINGCREEK

Reviewed by: mike hermann , from state college

Summary:
there is one main trail through the gap - it parrallels the stream, and is the smoothest singletrack option. keep in mind, smoothest by shingletown standards may not be rideable by non-technical bikers! But there are many, many trails that interconect thru the gap. The ridgetop trail is outstanding (it is part of the R3 trail that became an IMBA Epic ride in 1999) and anothe, relatively flat trail parallels the main trail, but is several hundred yards higher, on the opposite side of the stream. it is more technical and has many options to descend. Check out the Purple Lizard map to see other trails in shingletown gap.

Recommended Route:
park at the shingletown gap lot off rt. 45 (top of mountain rd, or ride from tussey mtn ski area. it also makes a killer ride from state college downtown - to the ski area, and back to town by dropping shingletown gap

Other recommended trails in the same area:
R3, sand springs, lonberger, tussey mtn trail, detweiler run

Reviewed by: sasquatch , from state college

Summary:
see my website at www.geocities.com/pipeline/valley/8088 for trail descriptions

Recommended Route:
any way you want, I go down it usually.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
see web site, also benson trail (not on web site) and many other trails in the area.

Reviewed by: Frank , from State College

Summary:
By far one of the great places to ride around here, but it has a few draw backs. Incredibly high traffic through this area, so watch your speed. also it can be very muddy so avoid the main trail on wet days. The route I reccomended gets you off the valley floor quickly, and leads to the foundation intersection that takes you to bald knob.

Recommended Route:
Just after the water resevoir, follow the old trail along the creek. Then follow the blue blazes to the right. A little bit of a hike but worth it.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Old laurel run, sand spring and the R3 are all champs. Get a copy of the Purple Lizard map and explore. Just beware chain saw-wielding geographers.

Reviewed by: The sasquatch , from State College

Summary:
This is a very popular trail, and is a lot of fun. It isn't very steep, but it is rocky and technical. I usually ride it in combination with some of the trails in Rothrock state forest, then ride up Laurel Run Road near the tussey mountain ski area, where you will find the upper trailhead at a yellow gate on the right side of the road.

Recommended Route:
Down the main trail, or on your way down form the road take the first right, near an old chimney, and climb to the top of bald knob. While on top head to the left, and take any of the downhills off to the left back to the main trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
There are many great trails in the area. Go downtown to The Bicycle Shop and buy a Purple Lizard Map, this has almost every bike trail in the area on it. Some of my favorites are Shingletown, Tussey Mt. Trail to Filmore Trail, Spruce Gap Trail (the edge), Old laurel run Road trail and many others.