Laurel Ridge

Laurel Ridge SP https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/LaurelRidgeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Ridge_State_Park Laurel Ridge State Park passes through Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania. The park is home to the 70-mile (110 km) Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail that runs through the park from the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. The trail goes through state forests, state parks, state game lands, and some privately owned lands. Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is open year round. The trail is marked with yellow blazes. Connector trails are marked with blue blazes. These trails connect the main trail with parking and shelter areas. The trail is marked with large wooden signs at every major highway crossing. Six parking lots at the highway crossings provide starting points; some have access to drinking water.

Laurel Ridge State Park A Pennsylvania Recreational Guide for Laurel Ridge and the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail visitPAparks Printed on recycled paper 2017 The 13,625-acre Laurel Ridge State Park stretches along Laurel Mountain from the picturesque Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle, to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. This large park spans Cambria, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland counties. The main feature of the park is the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which provides the setting for semi-wilderness backpacking and day hiking. One of the most exciting reasons to visit the park is for its scenery. Spring wildflowers dot the forest floor in early April followed by a vibrant green forest as leaf-out begins in late April. Mountain laurel blooms in June and rhododendron blooms in late June and early July. Autumn color peaks mid-October. Winter is spectacular when the park is covered in a deep blanket of snow and the occasional great horned owl calls through the moon-lit forest. LAUREL HIGHLANDS HIKING TRAIL outings. Included in the guide are detailed topographic maps plus information on geology, climate, plants, and wildlife. The guide is available from the Sierra Club Allegheny Group. www.alleghenysc.org This major 70-mile hiking and backpacking trail from Ohiopyle to near Johnstown is the main attraction of Laurel Ridge State Park. The trail traverses state parks, state forests, state game lands, other public lands, and private lands. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a major segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a network of trails between the mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny Highlands. www.nps.gov/pohe The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is open year round and is blazed approximately every 100 feet with 2-inch by 5-inch yellow blazes. Connector trails lead to and from trailheads and shelter areas and are marked with blue blazes. Mileage monuments are every mile. Yellow bands around trees mark the trail at every major road crossing. “A Hiker’s Guide to the Laurel Highlands Trail” describes the trail and aids in planning TRAILHEADS Six trailheads provide parking for 30 cars each as well as trash receptacles. Voluntary day use registration mailboxes are at each of the trailheads. Day hikers should fill out information cards for vital park attendance data and for use in an emergency. For overnight use of the trail, see the LHHT Reservations section. SUMMARY OF TRAILHEADS AND SHELTER AREAS There are eight overnight shelter areas; one area every 6 to 12 miles along the trail. Each area contains five Adirondack shelters with fireplaces, vault toilets, and space for 25 tents. FACILITY Adirondack shelter in one of the eight overnight areas MILE Ohiopyle Trailhead Ohiopyle Shelter Area Maple Summit Road Day Parking PA Rt. 653 Shelter Area PA Rt. 653 Trailhead Grindle Ridge Shelter Area PA Rt. 31 Trailhead PA Rt. 31 Shelter Area PA Turnpike Shelter Area U.S. Rt. 30 Trailhead U.S. Rt. 30 Shelter Area PA Rt. 271 Trailhead PA Rt. 271 Shelter Area PA Rt. 56 Decker Ave. Shelter Area PA Rt. 56 Seward Trailhead 0 6.3 11.2 18.5 18.8 24.0 30.6 32.5 38.2 45.8 46.5 56.9 56.9 64.9 70.0 TRAIL RUNNING: The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is popular with trail runners due to the diverse terrain and unmatched beauty. Visitors run portions of the trail for a workout, or run the whole trail in one day. Some of the most challenging trail runs in the eastern United States are the Laurel Highlands Ultra races, which are held the second Saturday in June. www.laurelultra.com Tell us about your hike at: SHUTTLING SERVICES Shuttling services for hikers on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail are available from Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle. 800-272-4141 http://wilderness-voyageurs.com Overnight Information Hiking Tips and Regulations Every hiker’s pace varies but a suggested pace of 1.5 miles per hour is average. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES In general, Laurel Ridge is cooler and receives more precipitation than the surrounding valleys. Dress appropriately. Know the climate and weather conditions on the trail. Dress appropriately and layer clothing. Bring extra clothing, rain gear, water, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, and poison ivy block. Supervise children in your care. This is particularly important when hiking. Leave a copy of your plans with friends or relatives. Include contact phone numbers and other important information. Day hikers are encouraged to register at the trailhead kiosks for safety reasons. Wear fluorescent orange during hunting seasons when hiking in hunting areas. Familiarize yourself with the natural hazards of the trail. Bring emergency equipment like a first aid kit, whistle, compass, matches, and a blanket. Please be aware that you may be hours away from medical attention. Don’t forget the camera. Water – Non-potable is available at most trailheads and shelter areas. Be prepared to treat or filter water. Please s

• Always purchase a trail pass from the concessionaire; if closed, no pass is required. • Obey all signs and posted warnings. • Stay on marked trails. • Always carry and use a trail system map. • You must remain in control and proceed in such a manner that you can stop or avoid other people or objects. • If skiing alone, ensure that others know your whereabouts. • In case of emergencies, please contact the concession at 724-455-7303 or call 911. • Choose trails appropriate to your ability and fitness. • Grooming vehicles may be on the trail – use caution. • Give downhill skiers the right of way. the Ridge • Fill in your divots and sitz-marks. • Help maintain the integrity of the ski tracks by not skiing over them. The 13,625-acre Laurel Ridge mouth of the Potomac River and the Allegheny State Park stretches along Laurel Highlands. To explore other trails in the Mountain from the picturesque network, visit www.nps.gov/pohe. • When a skier behind calls out “track,” move to the right and allow them to pass. to the Conemaugh Gorge near Many people visit for the exceptional scenery. Spring • When stopping, step off the trail to leave room for other skiers to pass. Johnstown. This large park spans wildflowers dot the forest floor in early April, followed by a Cambria, Fayette, Somerset and vibrant green forest as leaf-out begins in late April. Mountain Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle Westmoreland counties. The main feature of the park is the laurel blooms in June and rhododendron blooms in late June 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT). The trail traverses and early July. Visit the park in mid-October and witness fall state parks, state forests, state game lands, other public lands color in all its glory. Winter is spectacular when the park is and private lands, providing day-hiking and semi-wilderness covered in a deep blanket of snow and the occasional great backpacking experiences with overnight Adirondack-style horned owl calls through the moon-lit forest. The cross-country facilities. The LHHT was a catalyst for establishment of the ski area at Laurel Ridge provides one of the finest Nordic skiing Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a network between the experiences in the Mid-Atlantic region. Cross-Country Ski Area Laurel Ridge State Park photo courtesy of John Weld cross-country code Laurel Ridge State Park • Do not block intersections and avoid stopping in the middle of hills or where you are not visible to other skiers. • Do not walk in the set tracks or on groomed trails and keep to the right. • Dogs are ONLY allowed on the Orange Trail and must be under control at all times. Bag and remove all waste. • Carry in, carry out – Leave No Trace. • Return to your vehicle by sunset. Concession building closes at 5:00 P.M., and warming hut closes at sunset. photo courtesy of John Weld 2200 225 0 rl Ea 00 2250 50 50 ll 24 N e Ans 00 23 27 50 24 23 00 d Roa LH 50 27 27 26 00 00 24 50 25 50 2600 Green Yellow 2200 50 0 Purple 245 2400 230 0 2550 50 Orange 2500 Yellow (Ungroomed) 22 0 265 2700 Caution Hill He LH HT 2350 LHHT Connector Trail nry 26 Black Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) 1 2700 00 HT 50 27 27 Blue 26 ad 50 25 26 Red 00 Ro 0 0 25 Intersection 1 n ow Br Nordic Ski Concession Vista SCALE 50 22 Trail Shelter Rte 653 State Park 1 Mile John 50 0 26 0.5 1 Kilometer 50 0 0.5 25 2350 2500 230 00 0 Road Warming Hut 26 24 00 00 26 2450 2700 2650 0 N 250 Maintenance Area 653 FAY ET ME TE C O. RS ET CO . 00 27 Trail Head Parking LH 6 2 HT Forbes State Forest SO 2750 Seven Springs Ski Area 1 50 25 2700 LAUREL RIDGE 5 3 240 0 653 285 STATE PARK 0 2350 50 22 10 230 0 S.G.L. 111 225 4 5 Forbes State Forest 0 2550 0 2600 250 0 4 220 9 LH HT 6 2150 3 8 245 0 2650 50 27 2 00 27 2600 2550 2450 11 20 50 22 00 24 7 50 00 1 25 250 0 24 50 Cross-Country Fun Trail Descriptions Purple Trail: A gentle 1.0 kilometer trail, groomed for skating and classical striding, ideal for beginners. Blue Trail: A relatively easy 1.7 kilometer trail ideal for skating or classical striding. Red Trail: Just over 5.0 kilometers long, the Red Trail is groomed for skating or classical striding. Orange Trail: 10.6 kilometers with a cutoff to create a loop of 7.0 kilometers. This dog friendly trail is groomed for skating and classical striding. Skiers are reminded to bag and remove all pet waste. Green Trails: These trails generally connect sections of the Red Trail. Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Yellow Trails: Classical striding trails and not groomed as wide or as often as other trails. 5.3 kilometers offer a backcountry experience. Yellow Trails with blue blazes are not groomed. Black Trail: This oneway, 0.4 kilometer trail is designed for advanced skiers. photo courtesy of John Weld A cross-countr