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Jackson Trail Loop (Mid State Trail, Pine Grove Trail)

Trail Running Route

Hard
5.97 mi
977 ft
A classic trail running route near town with several vistas along Pine Grove Mountain.

Located off PA-26 and just a short drive from downtown, this trail run is an excellent introduction to the rugged, relentless rocks of Central Pennsylvania. Beginning across from Jo Hays Vista, the route traverses the Jackson Trail across a ridge, then returns via orange-blazed Mid State Trail.

The route is best run clockwise, offering excellent views across the ~2.5-mile ridgeline. The traverse begins with an easy two-track to a series of broadcasting towers. After passing the last building, the route quickly transitions into rugged singletrack that'll test your footing. Along the way, you'll pass several viewpoints, any of which can be chosen as the destination of a shorter out-and-back run.

After merging onto the Mid State Trail, you will begin to descend into the valley below. The path can be quite steep at times, and the plethora of rocks will require you to be extra mindful of your footing. As the trail begins to level out, the ferns begin to contrast the rocky, exposed ridgeline above.

Ahead, you will encounter several fresh springs that run across the trail. While some can be navigated with ease, others may require you to get your feet wet after recent rains. If you are in need of water, there are plenty of options to refill along this stretch. While some locals choose to drink straight from the source, filtering or treating the water first is always advised.

The final leg of the hike is a steep, demanding ~600' climb back up to the trailhead. Be sure to save some energy for this portion, as it can exhaust even the strongest of runners.

Sources:
Written by Brendon Voelker
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Jackson: last building to first clearing0.55 mi23 ft0.7%
Jackson: last building to big clearing2.08 mi69 ft0.3%
MST drop from Hubler2.24 mi-830 ft-7.0%
Big drop ahead0.27 mi-443 ft-31.2%
runnable? can't be the MST0.46 mi16 ft0.1%
Jo Hays - Beaver Ascent0.72 mi804 ft20.9%
PGM FOS climb0.45 mi495 ft20.6%