Laurel Highlands

Hike Name: Laurel Highlands Location: southwest PA Length: 70 Submitted by: prosecutor Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Pennsylvania trail reviews Pennsylvania national parks Pennsylvania state parks
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Description
On May 21, 2004, Ron and I started out at the south end of the 70 mile Laurel Highland Hiking Trail at Milepost 0, at Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. Three hours and 45 minutes later we were at the Ohiopyle shelter Area 6.3 miles down the trail, after stepping around a large timber rattler that refused to leave the trail, and stopping for a breathtaking view at Milepost 2.5. The first nights shelters were along a rushing stream, with shelter number 5 being the most remote. All shelter areas on the trail had well kept vault toilets, garbage cans, water pumps, and a huge supply of firewood for each shelters fireplace. At this time of the year, we did not encounter a single mosquito at any of the shelter areas and a mosquito netting was unnessary.

The next day, we hiked 12.2 miles to the Route 653 Shelter Area in 7 hours after stops for great views near Mileposts 8 and 9. A ranger came by and collected the balance of the camping fees due, and warned us of a 700 pound black bear that was a regular visitor to this shelter area last year. Prior to Memorial Day, we had no trouble getting reservations which are required. Call 724-455-3744 30 days prior to your LAST camping day, and also request their excellent and free Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Map.

On the third day, we hiked 14 miles to the Route 31 Shelter Are in 9 hours, 15 minutes, after a two hour Sunday brunch at the Seven Springs Resort Area almost 1 mile south of the trail at Milepost 27. The Sunday brunch was between 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at $17.50 per person, and featured all-you-can-eat crab legs, fried chicken, roast beef, and almost 100 side dishes, salads and desserts. We waddled into the Shelter Area wishing we had reserved Shelters #3 and #4 since they were the closest to the trail and water. No dinner needed that night after the pig-out at Seven Springs, just a dessert of pudding. My mouse traps killed 6 deer mice that evening, as each shelter had a regular mouse crew looking for food. A ranger came by that evening and caught two college aged backpackers stealth camping without reservations and threatened each of them with a $400 ticket.

On the fourth day, we hiked 13.3 miles to the Route 30 Shelter Area in 7 hours and 45 minutes, after seeing deer, a bear print, and going through an interesting rock maze near Milepost 44. Much of the trail now had long beautiful forested vistas as the deer had winter eaten almost all of the understory of brush and small trees. For dinner we hiked out the short service road back to Route 30, and 400 yards west of the hiking trail was Walat’s Tavern which featured enormous half pound hamburgers on homemade buns and huge plates of homemade French fries. Tap beer was cheap, and we took advantage of that fact and that no one had to drive home. Another night without having to bring a dinner or dessert.

On the fifth day, we hiked 10 4 miles to the Route 271 Shelter Area in 6 ½ hours, which included a long one mile driveway off the trail to the shelters. A severe thunderstorm that night proved that the shelters had no leaks. Only one mouse trapped that night.

On the sixth day, we hiked the remaining 13.1 miles to the end of the trail (add to that the one mile driveway at the Route 271 Shelter Area) in 7 hours and 10 minutes. The best view was just east of the trail just after Milepost 61, and the remaining views near the end of the trail were through the trees. The trail was a road walk between Milepost 59.8 and Milepost 61. The road walk was the only portion of the trail not well marked.

Photos of the trip: http://community.webshots.com/album/147069268EvWRUe

Directions to Hike
A couple of blocks north of Ohiopyle along 381 nfor the start.

The end is a little over a mile south of Seward along Route 56, but leaving a car here can be risky with isolated reports of vandalism in years past.

Contact Information

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