Hiking in PA, I assume you just want something to carry 'just in case'. If you are looking for a revolver, and something light for dispatching snakes and personal protection you may want to consider dropping down a notch to the 38 spl. You can carry jacketed bullets and snake shot. My choice would be the S&W Lady Smith.
Of course if you got a 357 you could shoot 38s out of it. But for hiking I would stick with a 4" or less barrel length.
The choices are almost endless: S&W, Colt, Ruger, Taurus. And you can probably pick a nice used one up at a local gun shop. Pick one that feels good in your hands.