| What is the Bald Eagle Mountain Megatransect? |
| The Bald Eagle Mountain Megatransect is a 24.9 mile hike and trail run event staged in Central Pennsylvania . The course is designed to challenge any trained or seasoned athlete. The recreational hiker or trail runner not looking to set any blistering personal records can also enjoy it equally. It is an event that focuses on the safety and needs of all entrants. Preparing is the key to success and even that is not guaranteed. Racing the course is not the objective, finishing strong is! |
| The outstandingly beautiful course offers unique geologic features, such as an unrelenting boulder field of white Tuscarora sandstone. Cliffs line a scenic gorge to heights of 300 feet that sink from the Chestnut flat plateau. Trails run along 8 miles of streams and brooks with multiple stream crossings and small waterfalls. |
| Competitors will be subjected to unrelenting climbs and down hills with vertical gains over 5000 feet. Footing varies from soft peat to gravel to boulders as well as smooth stream stones and shallow water crossings. While most of the course is under the canopy of mature forest, some sections orient under the hot sun. This is especially true in the slow going boulder field sections. |
| Interesting flora and fauna abound. Natural areas harbor old growth hemlock. Wet seasons bring out mushrooms of every type. Bear, coyote, deer, bobcat, porcupine, fox and turkey are all common. An occasional Bald and Golden Eagle can be spied near the reservoirs. Reptiles and amphibians abound with rattlesnakes and copperheads always a concern. |
| The Megatransect planning committee is comprised of well-traveled hikers, avid trail runners and marathoners. Their varied experiences and dedication to the Megatransect has resulted in one of the fastest growing trail events in Pennsylvania. It has been so successful that we are now limiting registrations to the first 600 entrants. Please register early. The course is designed to cycle moderate to very difficult terrain with easier sections to recover. It by no means designed for speed this year, but instead to be more technical. The course is well supported with a small army of volunteers to provide basic needs as well as emergency help and evacuation if needed. The race boasts a fantastic safety record and a high finishing percentage. |
| CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! We need you! If you would like to help on race day contact Dave Hunter (570) 748-5399; Dave Demko (570) 748-2280 or Bonnie Hannis (570) 769-7175. |
| The pre and post party food and beverage has become the largest expenditure incurred each year by the event. Contestants and their families are welcomed to join the victory celebrations and exchange stories while replenishing depleted reserves. Multiple water and food stations are located strategically throughout the course. |