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 Reporter |
Summary: The yellow-blazed Laural Highland Hiking Trail covers 70 miles from Ohiopyle State Park north to Seward. This review covers the 7.6 mile section between Maple Summit Road and PA Route 653. This section of the trail always seems to be near water. There is a small unnamed lake near Cranberry Glade Lake. When I was younger, it was also younger and there were many trees sticking up out of the water. Most have fallen since then but a few remain with bird houses. Mile marker 15 is right beside a bridge across Harbaugh Run and is an excelent place to soak your feet. Of course, with all the streams, one is also often climbing up out of valleys. The terrain isn't very rugged except for the short section between the 653 Shelters and the highway itself which climbs several hundred feet in a tenth of a mile. There are some rock steps to make the climb easier but when you're hiking South, going down those steps at the end of a day can be brutal on the shins. Trailhead: The Maple Summit Road Trailhead (N39 53.528 W79 22.576) is located at the summit of Laurel Ridge, like most of the other trailheads. From the SouthWest, Maple Summit Road comes off of Rt. 381 just North of Ohiopyle. From the SouthEast it is off of Rt 281 at Ursina. This is the most remote of the trailheads and has no water available. The Rt 653 Parking Lot (N39 57.276 W79 22.096) is very near the Park Office. It doesn't have water either but the Shelter area is just South along the trail down a very steep hill.If you are bothered by the slightly rusty water from the pumps, there is a spring right off the trail a short distance South. The water from the pumps is tested clean. With the spring you take your chances. (Lat:39.89213 Lon:-79.37627) Trail Guides for LHHT-Maple Summit Rd. to Rt. 653: Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Laurel Ridge State Park Office 724-455-3744 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kevin Geiselman, who has posted 96 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Phil on 5/23/2007 I hiked this section with a group of friends in Mid-May (07) It was a beautiful day and the trail was fun and easy. The last 1/2 mile or so did catch up with me. It seems as if the ends of any day trip you take on this trail seems to end up going uphill. (Is it just me? probably!) There are nice rock outcroppings to walk through and some nice streams to cross and lots of nice spots to just stop and enjoy the scenery. The lake was one of those spots. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Pennsylvania Hiking, Pennsylvania Trails, Pennsylvania Hikes, Fayette County Hiking, Fayette County Trails, Fayette County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||