Sunday – 15 September

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a 70-mile hiking trail that stretches along Laurel Mountain from the picturesque Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown. Bob and I will be hiking from north (Conemaugh Gorge) to south (Ohiopyle). Camping is only allowed at designated shelter areas which must be reserved in advance. There are eight overnight shelter areas, one area every six to 12 miles along the trail. Each area contains five Adirondack shelters with fireplaces, two vault toilets, and space for 30 tents. The shelter areas also have hand pump wells for water and trash receptacles. In addition, firewood is provided.

Bob and I plan to hike between 5 and 14 miles each day based on the locations of the designated sites. There is no resupply option so we will be carrying food for the entire trip with an option for some limited supplement at a country store about Midway. Our plan is to tent but the small shelters might provide a dry spot if we run into a lot of rain.

This afternoon, I drove up to meet Bob at the Lodge at Chalk Hill, our accommodations for the night. After a little review of the map and our hiking plans it was time for dinner. We headed over to Braddock’s Restaurant for a brisket sandwich and a turkey club washed down with a cold beverage.

A little football on TV tonight before turning in. Plan is to have breakfast, pick up a sandwich for lunch and head to the shuttle tomorrow.