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Sunday, August 27th 2000 I've been trying to get to Little Flat Fire Tower for many months, trying out different routes and approaching from different roads, trailheads, etc. All the maps and trail guides are a little vague on how to get to this seemingly popular spot, and I wanted to take in the allegedly great views . . . I was very disappointed. True, it was an overcast day when Lori and I started out, but I wanted to get this hike in before I went in for surgery the following week. I was getting my tonsils, adenoids out, along with a uvulectomy. The hike is actually quite simple--if you know the secret road to get there. Laurel Run Road is one way to get to the top of Tussey Ridge near Boal Gap in Boalsburg. Anybody from State College knows where Tussey Mountain Ski Resort is, and you need simply take that road--Bear Meadows Road, until the first right after State Forest land. Laurel Run Road is a scary thing to drive the first time. It follows an old narrow gauge railroad bed which was used to deforest the mountain to feed the hungry iron works in Monroe and Centre Furnace. The road is barely wide enough for my sub-compact car to make it comfortably in some spots, and there are three blind curves where you need to drive cautiously and honk like crazy. The steepness of the banks near the beginning of the trip are not for those with vertigo (me!) and passing a car in a thunderstorm is enough to keep you away forever. My first attempt to find this road was just that . . . a raging thunderstorm. I though I was surely done for :-) Now that I've driven this road a bunch of times, it's not so scary, in fact, I rather enjoy it. It still amazes me how busy it gets--I have yet to drive it without passing at least one car. At the top of the hill is a gated road used for firefighting. This is a good place to park, although on a nice day, it might be hard to find space. Take the Mid State Trail to your right (Southwest) and you will fin the Happy Valley Vista in about a half hour. Take the Mid State Trail to your left (Northeast) and you will come out on Shingletown Road (gated now, although I'm told you could drive right up to the fire tower in 'olden' times). The first photo below shows the trailhead. The MST is ROCKY in here, and you will want something sturdy. It's nothing you will need trekking poles for, but the path is made entirely out of fist-sized rock that will bruise you feet and twist your ankles. You can also head a little bit to the other side of the hill (the Southern side) and follow the Shingletown Road up to the tower. After about a half-hour either way you'll come upon the tower, a cabin, and a bunch of microwave relay and radio towers. I'm convinced that you get enough microwaves to boil you brain up there . . . The area is largely barren of trees, and there are many blueberry bushes that are popular in August. The only noticeable crop of trees are a group of pines--right around the fire tower--that quite effectively block any views! I'm sure the eco-geeks and earth-freaks will cringe at the suggestion, but why doesn't somebody cut those trees down or trim them? The hill top is bare with that exception, so what would be the difference? I climbed the tower anyway, but I could see nothing but pine trees. This is a shame, because the views from this spot must have been breath-taking. After taking a bunch of photos of what I could, we hiked back to our car . . . disappointed. If anybody suggests that you "must" hike up to little flat, then they haven't been there in quite some time. It's not a bad hike, but I would use it as a starting point to get to Bear Meadows along the Mid State Trail.
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