Hikes & Hops

Hiking my way through the world one brew at a time

08/26/2026

🥾 Shingletown Gap 🍺 Boal City Brewing 📍 Centre County, PA

Explore the stunning trails of the Shingletown Gap area in Rothrock State Forest. The hike is full of hemlocks, rhododendron thickets, trickling streams, and lots of quiet tranquility. There’s plenty of trails to make either a short ramble or a longer day hike.

THE HIKE: Shingletown Gap
🥾 4 miles (variable), 443 ft
➡️ Moderately challenging
✨ Leashed pets, hiking, mountain biking (some areas)
🚗 Small lot at the Shingletown Water Authority
Good for: Evergreens, birdwatching, creekside trails

☎️ Cell service is spotty and no map at trailhead. Be sure to download directions!

🔸 Hunting is permitted on state forest lands during specific days and season. Wear orange to be seen when hiking during hunting season!🔸

THE BEER: Boal City Brewing
📍 Boalsburg, PA
🥾➡️🍺 6 mins, 3 miles
⭐️ Boal City Brewing
🍕 Food trucks
✨ Indoor/outdoor seating, dog friendly outside, bike parking

🚨 Remember to follow the principles of Leave No Trace while visiting this area

08/10/2026

14 miles this weekend 💪 Under 4 weeks til my next race! 🎉

I’m a bit nervous for this race because I don’t feel like I’ve been training enough. This long run kicked my butt but I do feel like I’ll be able to muddle through. I love trail races cause the cutoff times are usually more generous!

No matter how it goes, I’m looking forward to some time in the woods at one of my favorite parks.

See you on September 5 sidewinder.montourwoods

08/03/2026

Weekend round up ☀️🥾🍻

We made the most of the first weekend of August! Anyone else feeling the end of summer scaries? Gotta make the most of these late summer days!

1-4: Hiking with Tory | Hike & Backpack on the beautiful Glacier Ridge Trail in Moraine SP
5-8: Family hike at Raccoon SP featuring a scarlet tanager and backpack naps.
9: Post-hike brews at Coal Tipple Brewery
10: Long run in the rain
11: A little porch self care

What’s left on your summer bucket list? I’m hoping for a few more lake and pool days!!

07/16/2026

How it started ➡️ how it’s going!

Upgrading to a hiking backpack is a gamechanger for hiking with a little one! It’s easier to manage their weight and they can look around! It’s a bit of a transition from front carrying so here’s a couple things to remember:

🥾 Wait until baby has good neck control and is sitting with little support (roughly around 6 months)

🥾 Practice taking it on and off with a partner first

🥾 Always adjust the straps for each user

🥾 Practice first with short walks

🥾 Use trekking poles to stabilize and distribute weight

🥾 Protect baby from the elements

🥾 Try to be consistent!

Hiking carriers are very expensive so make sure to try them on and get one that works for you! Better yet, see if you can get one secondhand or borrow from a friend if you won’t use it regularly.

What other questions do you have about hiking with a baby?

Hiking mom | hiking advice | Family outside

07/14/2026

💫Want to make a difference in your local parks?Join a volunteer day!

Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Hartwood Acres with the Allegheny County Parks Foundation.

We removed weeds and invasive species and planted nearly 2600 native species plugs!

Allegheny county parks cover over 12,000 acres so they really need the help of volunteers to help maintain their nine parks. Check out their website to see how you can get involved!

Double check to see if your employer allows any volunteer time! Mine offers one day a MONTH towards volunteering. You could even try to organize a group volunteer day!

Volunteering is also a great way to learn more about plants and trail maintenance, meet likeminded people, and explore new places!

➡️ Follow Allegheny County Parks Foundation for more ways to get involved!

07/11/2026

Hot temperatures in the forecast! 🔥

But that doesn’t mean that hiking has to stop. As long as you are prepared, you can still enjoy the trails! Here are some tips for hiking safely even in the heat of the summer:

🌅 Go early - try to hit the trails first thing in the morning before the sun gets too hot.

🥾 Pick the Right Trail - pick a trail with lots of shade or neara water source. Maybe stick with a shorter hike or one without too much steep incline.

💦 Pack Plenty of Water - make sure to bring plenty of waterand know the signs of dehydration and heat stroke. Make sure to start drinking even before you feel thirsty and if you’re sweating a lot, make sure to replace with electrolytes.

😎 Cover Up - it may seem counterintuitive, but it’s better to cover up more of your skin, including your arms, head and eyes. Try to wear moisture wicking fabrics and ones that have built in UV protection. Light colors and loose fitting clothes are your friends.

🌞 Wear Sunscreen - always always always wear sunscreen. Pay special attention to the sensitive skin on your face and neck. If you have one, wear a wide brim hat to help cover more surface area. Any exposed skin should have sunscreen.

🍏 Keep Snacking - sometimes when we go hot, we don’t notice that we’re hungry. Make sure to pack snacks and keep your energy levels up while you’re hiking, especially when you’re really sweaty.

🛑 Know When to Stop - Know when to listen to your body and stop. Whether it’s taking a break or turning around, it’s better to be safe than sorry. if you’re feeling fatigued or are halfway done with your water but not halfway through the trail, don’t push through. Heat exhaustion can creep up on you very quickly so listen to the signs of your body and know when to call it quits.

How are you staying cool during this heat wave?

Safety | hydration | summer | hiking tips

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