Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Information Page
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The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a 70-mile, continuous footpath stretching atop the Laurel Ridge. It winds from Ohiopyle, PA to Rt. 56, between Seward and Johnstown, PA. The trail affords some great views of the twisting Youghigheny River, from high above Ohiopyle State Park, to the beautiful Conemaugh Valley, near Johnstown, PA. It is open year round. The purpose of this page is to provide some basic information about the Trail. This is not, however, an official web page and should not be exclusively relied upon. Any questions should be directed toward the Laurel Ridge Park Office, who maintains the Trail. For my Trail Journals, click here This page last updated 18 Dec 2009.
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You've hiked the trail - now read the book:
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Check out the new Laurel Highlands Trail Video!
Please take a second and complete my LHHT survey! Click here to go to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Forum!
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The Laurel Ridge State Park Office is located just off the Trail on Rt. 653. Before an overnight stay, you must contact the Park Office to reserve a shelter or campsite. No reservation is needed for a day hike. However, dayhikers are requested to complete information cards that are available at the various Trail Heads (entry and exit points of the trail.) These cards are to be deposited in the drop-off boxes, also at the Trail Head. The Park Office mailing address and phone number is: Laurel Ridge State Park, The Park Web site can be found by clicking here.
UPDATE: Shelter reservations along the trail can now be made from the PA State Park Web Site. Overnight fee for a PA resident is $3/person per night. If your party consists of 5 people or more, than you will pay the maximum fee of $15/night. If you are not a PA resident, the fee is $4/person per night, and a $20 maximum fee. Park Rangers used to visit the shelters at night and collect fees. This is rarely done now. Most reservations are made over the Park's web site, where one can pay with a credit card. Phone reservations can be made, with payment sent by check.
Potable water is available at each shelter area. The water is drawn from a well by a hand pump. The Park periodically tests the bacteria count. If the bacteria count it too high, warning signs are posted at the pumps. When this happens, the water can still be used, but it must be filtered, treated or boiled before consumption. Even if the bacteria count is in the acceptable range, the water is often cloudy, or iron-brown. Therefore, I always filter it before use.
While hiking during wet seasons, you will find bodies of water and cross many streams. Not being familiar with their sources, I would not recommend drinking from these supplies without a method of treatment. UPDATE: As of 19 June 2009, there is NO WATER at the RT 56 (Decker Ave) Shelter area, RT 31 Shelter area, and RT 653 Shelter area. When staying at RT 653, one can obtain water at the nearby Park office outside spigot.
Each Shelter area has five, open-face,
lean-to structures, spread out in an area large Each shelter has a fireplace that does a decent job of taking the chill out. Although you can cook from the fireplace, I prefer a camp stove. The chimneys don't exhaust well, and it's not unusual to have a smoke-filled sleeping area. Firewood is provided by the State Park, but you have to carry it to your shelter. (During winter months remember to check the privy - dry firewood is often stacked there.) In addition to the lean-to's, about 30 tent spaces are available for more primitive camping at each shelter area. Some tent sites have fire rings and grills for cooking. Each shelter area has a men's and women's privy, adequately stocked with toilet paper. The firewood is usually found close to the privy. Garbage can be left in the refuse containers. The following table gives an idea of the location of the shelters. The mile markers begin with 0 at Ohiopyle, the southernmost point of the trail, and ends at 70 near Johnstown.
The most frequently-asked question I receive is: how can I get shuttled to the end of the trail? Wilderness Voyageurs is an outfitter in Ohiopyle that is known to offer shuttle services. I make no guarantees regarding their prices or ability to shuttle. Please contact them for prices and shuttle availability: 1-800-272-4141. Please mention that you were referred from this web site. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is well marked with 2" x 5" yellow blazes that appear about every 100'. The trail is well-worn, and generally easily visible (when there is no snow). Side trails are marked with blue blazes.
Maps are available at the Park Office. They show parking areas, mileages, and scenic viewpoints.
Click here for a printable copy of a sample Backpacking Checklist.
Nearby Accommodations (in alphabetical order) Glades Pike Inn Bed and Breakfast - Somerset, PA Lesley's Mountain View Country Inn - Donegal, PA Log Haven Bed and Breakfast - Rockwood, PA Quiet House Bed and Breakfast - Farmington, PA
This link provides a downloadable .pdf copy of the LHHT. The link is used with permission of the site owner, Mike Franusich. Click here. Every year a grueling foot race is held on the LHHT. Rick Freeman, director of the race, maintains this site, which provides more information. Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Photos Check this web site out for some spectacular photos of the LHHT! Hats off to Richard Sabol and Tim Segina for these great shots.
Feb 23, 2010 ...only the Rt. 653, Rt. 30 and Rt. 56 trailheads are open at this time. Parking is NOT permitted at any other location at this time! Dec 18, 2009... The footbridge that spans the PA Turnpike is closed to ALL traffic!! No one will be able to cross the footbridge - either on snowmobile or foot. It is impossible to re-route over the Turnpike - you will not be able to cross. Please plan accordingly!!! Oct 07, 2008...Please be advised the park has made some route changes to the LHHT, specifically, the area around Lake Tahoe at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Hikers are now being re-routed around the opposite side of Lake Tahoe. New signage and posts with yellow blazes have been installed. Sept. 02. 2008... Still NO WATER at the Route 56/Decker Avenue,
Route 653 shelter areas, and Route 31 parking area. Because of contamination,
the water has been determined to be UNSAFE for drinking and will be
unavailable for hikers' use. Please plan to bring sufficient water with you
when staying at the 653 or Decker shelter areas. You may call the park office
at 724-455-3744 for more information. Dec 17, 2007 ... Effective January 1, 2008, pets will be permitted in the overnight shelter areas on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail in Laurel Ridge State Park. Oct 23, 2007 ... There is NO WATER at the RT 653 Shelter. Due to high bacteria count the handle of the pump has been removed. Hikers are encouraged to walk to the Laurel Ridge Park Maintenance Garage - located behind the Park Office - where an outside spigot is located. Water can be drawn from the spigot 24/7.
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