Mid State Trail - Everett Region
Slackpack Hikes
May 2-4, 2025

Join us for 3 days of guided hikes on the Mid State Trail in South Central PA in springtime!
Don’t worry about the plans, the maps, meals, or your heavy pack. The KTA Slackpack Program takes care of all that. KTA will shuttle participants to the trailhead in the morning and back to base at the end of the day, and lead and sweep the group along the trail. All you have to carry is a day pack!
The ~ 527 km / 327 mile Mid State Trail is the longest and wildest footpath in Pennsylvania. It is divided into 4 Regions: Tioga, Wolrich. State College, and Everett (north to south). The MST is the only known metricated trail in the U.S. (trail signage and information will present distances in metric units).
From the MST website: "The highest knob, the sharpest ridgelines, and some of the most dramatic views on Mid State Trail await intrepid hikers in the Everett Region. The Everett Region starts at a connection with trails of Green Ridge State Forest near Flintstone, Maryland, climbs the highest and wildest sections of Tussey Ridge, and ends at US 22 near Water Street." This section of the MST, in what is aptly named "Tiltrock Country" is notorious for sharp-edged rocks, along knife edges, and patches of nearly-uncontrollable briars. This weekend may not be suitable for the novice hiker. The lack of access to the trail in this region makes maintenance in this area even more difficult, and limits trailhead locations and thus hike lengths. Although the daily hiking distances are relatively short, the treadway conditions can be extremely difficult in places, especially on Saturday's hike. If you're up for some more strenuous bouldering, and relish the adventure and satisfaction of having completed a difficult hike, this weekend is for you!
If, after this weekend, you feel compelled to help tame trail conditions in the Everett Region, you can join Tony and KTA during our Trail Care Event June 12-15!
For this slackpack weekend, our base camp will be the fabulous Union Hotel in downtown Everett: 128 E Main St, Everett, PA 15537, Google maps link. You may choose to procure other lodging, but all hike and meal shuttles will leave from and return to the hotel. You can make your reservation using the link below.
Don’t worry about the plans, the maps, meals, or your heavy pack. The KTA Slackpack Program takes care of all that. KTA will shuttle participants to the trailhead in the morning and back to base at the end of the day, and lead and sweep the group along the trail. All you have to carry is a day pack!
The ~ 527 km / 327 mile Mid State Trail is the longest and wildest footpath in Pennsylvania. It is divided into 4 Regions: Tioga, Wolrich. State College, and Everett (north to south). The MST is the only known metricated trail in the U.S. (trail signage and information will present distances in metric units).
From the MST website: "The highest knob, the sharpest ridgelines, and some of the most dramatic views on Mid State Trail await intrepid hikers in the Everett Region. The Everett Region starts at a connection with trails of Green Ridge State Forest near Flintstone, Maryland, climbs the highest and wildest sections of Tussey Ridge, and ends at US 22 near Water Street." This section of the MST, in what is aptly named "Tiltrock Country" is notorious for sharp-edged rocks, along knife edges, and patches of nearly-uncontrollable briars. This weekend may not be suitable for the novice hiker. The lack of access to the trail in this region makes maintenance in this area even more difficult, and limits trailhead locations and thus hike lengths. Although the daily hiking distances are relatively short, the treadway conditions can be extremely difficult in places, especially on Saturday's hike. If you're up for some more strenuous bouldering, and relish the adventure and satisfaction of having completed a difficult hike, this weekend is for you!
If, after this weekend, you feel compelled to help tame trail conditions in the Everett Region, you can join Tony and KTA during our Trail Care Event June 12-15!
For this slackpack weekend, our base camp will be the fabulous Union Hotel in downtown Everett: 128 E Main St, Everett, PA 15537, Google maps link. You may choose to procure other lodging, but all hike and meal shuttles will leave from and return to the hotel. You can make your reservation using the link below.
TENTATIVE WEEKEND SCHEDULE:
(total: 30.7 km / 19 miles)
(total: 30.7 km / 19 miles)

Friday, May 2
Saturday, May
Sunday, May 4
- TBD AM: Meet and park at Union Hotel. Breakfast on your own and pack a lunch.
- KTA shuttle to Beans Cove Road Trailhead
- Hike ~10.5 km / 7 miles in Section 1 of the Everett Region
- We start the day by climbing ~800’ vertical over the first two miles until we get to the Martin Hill Fire Tower–the highest point on the MST. During this time, we will have some beautiful views of the valleys and ridges to the west. After cresting Martin Hill, we will descend down into the Sweet Root Natural Area hiking along Sweet Root Run for a bit. Once we hit Sweet Root Gap, we will cross Sweet Root Run and begin a gentle ascent climbing about 500’ vertical in a mile. Once we hit the Garlic Trail, we will descend another 500’ vertical over the last mile.
- KTA shuttle from PA 326 Trailhead to Union Hotel. If time permits, side trip to Tenley Park, Everett.
- Dinner TBD: Union Hotel restaurant or OIP Pizza
Saturday, May
- Breakfast and lunch to go at The Provender
- KTA shuttle to Civil War Trenches Trailhead. If time permits, side trip to view historical wayside.
- Hike ~11.3 km / 7 miles in Section 3 of the Everett Region
- We will start the day ascending 100’ from the parking area to the Mid State Trail. From there, we will head south along the spine of Tussey Mountain. Though this is a ridge run, it will be a vigorous hike going over multiple rock formations with excellent views of the valleys and ridges to the east. The last mile is a relatively steep, rocky descent to the trailhead. About a half mile from the trailhead, we will go through the “Scully Squeeze”, a rock formation that has a gap barely wide enough for a person to walk through.
- KTA shuttle from Blue Triangle to Union Hotel
- Dinner in Bedford at LIFeSTYLE (BYOB- we can stop on the way)
Sunday, May 4
- Breakfast in the restaurant at the Union Hotel
- Check out of hotel
- KTA shuttle from hike endpoint (PA 36 at New Frontier Restaurant) to Maple Run Road trailhead. If time permits, side trip to Yellow Creek Bridge.
- Hike ~8.9 km / 5.5 miles in Section 4 of the Everett Region
- This last day is much gentler than the previous two. For the first couple of miles we will hike downstream along Maple Run. The gentle gurgling of the creek is most relaxing! After a couple of miles, we will start to separate from the creek, gradually climbing 300’ before dropping 500’ in the last half mile of the hike.
- Your vehicle is waiting for you at the end of the hike. Lunch at New Frontier Restaurant, then goodbyes and safe travels!
LODGING (not included):

KTA has secured a room block of special pricing on all 12 exquisite rooms at the Union Hotel, a gorgeous boutique hotel-bar-restaurant, a place where old-world grace, charm and architecture combine with a modern, new-age feeling for a unique experience, in downtown Everett. The room block for KTA is linked below and is valid until 30 days before the slackpack. The link looks exactly like their normal booking app but it does offer the discounted rates for Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3. Prices range from $260 to $398 for the TWO NIGHTS. Book ASAP for your preferred room. Also, this pricing is available for 2 days before/after - just change the dates at the top if you'd like to stay longer.
Here is the link: hotels.cloudbeds.com/reservation/JuSfbn?allotment_block_code=b850772#checkin=2025-05-02&checkout=2025-05-04
Other lodging is available in the area, but you are responsible for driving yourself to the appointed meeting place (the Union Hotel).
Here is the link: hotels.cloudbeds.com/reservation/JuSfbn?allotment_block_code=b850772#checkin=2025-05-02&checkout=2025-05-04
Other lodging is available in the area, but you are responsible for driving yourself to the appointed meeting place (the Union Hotel).
REGISTRATION:
The registration fee is $438 per person.
Included in this "Slackpackage":
Not included in registration fee:
A full "what to bring" list, and more details, will be provided to registrants prior to the event.
Contact Jenn ([email protected]/570-854-8316) or Haley ([email protected]/814-494-0694) with questions.
Registration closes 04/28/25. No refunds will be issued after this date.
Included in this "Slackpackage":
- 3 days of guided hikes
- Planning and logistics by KTA/Tony
- Shuttles to and from the Union Hotel in Everett and the trailheads/restaurants
- 6 Meals: Fri. dinner, Sat. breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sun. breakfast, lunch
- MST/KTA Swag Bag of goodies! (map, patch, stickers)
Not included in registration fee:
- Lodging
- Alcoholic libations at dinners
- Snacks you'd like to bring, etc.
A full "what to bring" list, and more details, will be provided to registrants prior to the event.
Contact Jenn ([email protected]/570-854-8316) or Haley ([email protected]/814-494-0694) with questions.
Registration closes 04/28/25. No refunds will be issued after this date.
PHOTO GALLERY:

Hike Leader Tony Barr is the Trail Manager for the Everett Region of the Mid State Trail (volunteer). Though he has been in this position for just the last year, he has been working on the MST in the Everett Region for the past 15+ years. Tony is also a Patroller with the Blue Knob Ski Patrol having just finished his 15th year with BKSP. Professionally, Tony is in the process of finishing his 28th year teaching mathematics at Everett High School. When he is not teaching, patrolling, running a brushcutter, or being a Dad to his 3 kids, Tony enjoys hiking, mountain biking, trail running, backpacking, skiing (xc and alpine), and whitewater rafting.
Disclaimers: Though the mileage may seem light compared to other slackpacks, the Everett Region is home to some of the most difficult hiking on the MST due to the strenuous rock scrambles, gnarly briars, and roller coaster ride up and down the ridge. Prior to this event, Tony plans to trim back as much of the briars as he can, but long pants/shirts may be desired. Also, the ridgetops are great habitat for sunning rattlesnakes; hikers should be vigilant.