Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail in PA?

imported
#1

Anyone ever done this trail? My wilderness ed class is interested in doing this trail and I haven’t ever heard of it. Laurel Ridge hiking Trail is supposed to be 70 miles long.
Thanks!

Windex

#2

Yes, I’ve hiked the entire trail. I’ve also done MANY day hikes on it, as it passes about 1.5 miles from my house. What are you interested in knowing? The highlights would be, it’s 70 miles long running between just outside Johnstown, PA (Seward, PA to be exact) and Ohiopyle, PA. There is a shelter system along the trail, which you must use for overnight stays. The trail is actually part of the State Park system, and they prohibit camping outside the designated shelter areas. Feel free to let me know what you’d like to know…

Cheers!!

John G

#3

I did it in two parts, in '97 and '98. I don’t think it’s changed a lot since then–if it has, someone will probably correct me.

Except for the two ends, and a section north of US 30, it’s a relatively gentle trail. It’s well-blazed in yellow (some would say over-blazed), and traverses ridge and water. It goes right through the Seven Springs ski resort which is an opportunity to get a non-trail meal if you’re so inclined.

The shelters are not like anything on the A.T., in fact they are kind of decadent by comparison. They are actually a “campus” of Adirondack-style structures that each hold four comfortably. They are available by reservation and do cost a nominal amount. In fact, you HAVE to stay in these shelter areas (no primitive camping allowed) and you must reserve these in advance. A ranger will check at dinnertime or later. The shelter areas also have tentsites for those like me who abhor sleeping in shelters, privies that are more like highway rest area pit toilets complete with sinks, trash receptacles and TP, a cut wood supply, fire rings, a water source, etc.

Most of the shelter water sources were an issue IMO. They were wells with hand pumps that contained really nasty-tasting water (heavy iron taste, sometimes with a red or brown color but always tasting like iron). You couldn’t even mask this with Kool-Aid. I’ve heard this complaint from nearly everyone I’ve spoken with who has backpacked this trail.

There are streams along the way where you could get water that tastes better, tho I didn’t note their proximity to the camping areas. '97 and '98 were dry years and I hiked in early Fall and mid-Summer, respectively, and these sources were dried up. For the '98 hike, I cached water near trailheads north of shelter areas and that worked very well.

During these years, at those times of year, I saw very few others on the trail. I’ve been told that the LHHT is popular with hunters in-season, and in Winter because it intersects a number of ski trails.

While dogs are allowed on the trail, they are not permitted at the shelter areas.

Overnight parking at the trailheads is not without risk of vandalism, especially at the two termini. To start the northern end, I parked at a municipal parking garage in Johnstown and got an eight-mile cab ride to Seward. For the southern hike, I parked at an AYH in Ohiopyle and had a friend shuttle me north to a road crossing near the halfway point.

If you do a Google search for Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail you’ll find the official State website and at least one unofficial one. There is a pretty good map available, as ell as a guidebook.

One thing that really stuck in my memory. Whoever laid out this trail (I think in the '70s) had the good sense to NOT go OVER every rise in the land but go around them, where possible. There are side trails to viewpoints and other attractions of note.

IMO the LHHT is one of the East’s Best Kept Secrets. Just don’t drink the water.

“Skyline”

#4

I,ve done this trail many times in the winter. The shelters can be sort of closed in with 2 space blankets on either side of the fireplace chimney. They provide wood so it is easy to stay comfortable. The only problem can be deep snow. i,ve never done it in the summer but it should be easy. The only bad parts are the water at the shelters and not being able to camp elsewhere. By the way I was a day behind you in Mass. 3 summers ago on a week hike. Hiked with mountain man for a while. Take care and good luck!

Roadrunner