Return-Path: <@CS.CMU.EDU:ewc@SETTER.ECE.CMU.EDU> Received: from CS.CMU.EDU by K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU; 1 Jun 89 10:45:07 EDT Received: from SETTER.ECE.CMU.EDU by CS.CMU.EDU; 1 Jun 89 10:42:42 EDT Received: by setter.ece.cmu.edu (5.54-ECE2/5.17) id AA29350; Thu, 1 Jun 89 10:42:35 EDT Date: Thu, 1 Jun 89 10:42:35 EDT From: Edward Czeck Message-Id: <8906011442.AA29350@setter.ece.cmu.edu> To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Backpacking Information Here is my initial post, the responses, and a summary of what I learned. _______________________________________________________________________________ 18-May-89 11:44 Edward Czeck Backpacking info wanted From: Edward Czeck@setter ece cmu edu I am looking for some backpacking/hiking information for the Laurel Highland Trail and the Forbes State Forest area. I've already looked through the AYH Hiking Guide to Western PA, and found it almost useless for backpacking informations. Other pointers will be appreciated. Thanks Ed. ---------- Date: Thu, 18 May 89 13:01:54 EDT From: Derek Feltham Subject: Laurel Highland Trail Ed, I have some maps + other info about the LH Trail + Forbes State Forest at home. - Last fall, I wrote to the PA Dept of Parks (or something - I forget) + they sent me all the info they had. I can bring it in tomorrow for you to look at, if you're interested. - derek Date: Thu, 18 May 89 13:45:28 EDT From: Scott H. Robinson Subject: Backpacking You might also try posting to rec.backcountry too. I've seen posts by others in PA. Writing away for topography maps and going from there may be another route too. shr Date: Thu, 18 May 89 13:55:30 EDT From: Derek Feltham Subject: Re: Laurel Highland Trail Yeah - those are the people I wrote to. Ok, I'll do my best to remember to bring it in. The stuff I have is: State Park brochures for most of the parks in the area (and along the trail). A map/brochure specifically about the trail, giving, among other things an cross-sectional elevation map of the trail. And a couple other brochures. I, myself, have only ever been to Bear Run Nature Reserve + Ohiopyle, but never to camp overnight. - derek Date: Thu, 18 May 89 14:22:50 -0400 (EDT) From: Jeffrey Campbell Subject: Re: Backpacking info wanted Have you seen a book called "A Hikers Guide to the Laurel Highlands Train" that apparently was published by the Sierra Club, Pennsylvania Chapter? My copy was printed in 1981, so there may be a newer version. I would try Outdoor Experience in Shadyside if you want to buy one. I spent a whole $3 for mine. Jeff Date: Thu, 18 May 89 14:30:19 -0400 (EDT) From: Jeffrey Campbell Subject: Re: Backpacking info wanted I just had another idea. Have you tried contacting the current AYH people? They meet every Thurdsay night around 8 in the AYH headquarters. Their building is near the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts at the corner of 5th Ave and Shady. The AYH building is a glorified shack on the 5th Ave side of the center. Next week they are having a Basic Backpacking workshop at 7:00 (May 25) or you can call 736-2651 for more information. Even if the workshop is not appropriate for you, I would guess that most of the AYH backpacking leadership will be there and you can get other info from them. Jeff Date: Thu, 18 May 1989 15:51-EDT From: Richard.Dunstan.Christie@GANGES.EDRC.CMU.EDU Subject: Re: Backpacking info wanted Ed, There exists a brown paperback book which is a hiking guide to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, published by the Sierra Club, I believe. It should be available in local bookstores, like Pitt. It has all sorts of good info on the LHHT, including topos, an elevation guide, the location of the shelter sites along the trail, and the number to call to make shelter reservations. (I believe it is illegal to camp at locations other than the shelters.) I recommend this book to anyone planning more than casual use of the LHHT, and also to the casual users! Rich Date: Fri, 19 May 89 13:37:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Robert Sansom Subject: Re: Backpacking info wanted I think that there's a completely separate guide to the Laurel Highlands Trail which is why the AYH guide to Western PA has almost no information on it. You should be able to get the guide to the LH Trail directly from AYH. The CMU or Pitt bookstores might have it as well. - Robert Sansom Date: Sat, 20 May 89 13:18:49 EDT From: Bob Walker Subject: LHT There a Sierra Club (AYH?) guidebook to the Laurel Highlands trail, complete with topographical maps in the back. The Pitt bookstore used to carry it, and some of the backpacking store as well... _________________________________________________________________________ >From further research, The Laurel Highland Hiking Trail book, published by the Sierra club, and available at Outdoor experience for under $5.00 is the best source of information regarding the LHHT. It gives maps, elevation plots, mileage, parking areas, history, and scores of other information. The state park map, available from the address below, of the trail give rules, a fair map, elevation plot, parking areas, shelter area, mileages, but leaves the history to the Sierra club. The LHHT requires you to camp at the shelter areas, and reservations must be made in advance. (I went on Memorial day weekend, and there were many empty sites and shelters.) The shelter areas have clean latrines, garbage pick-up, a well, and pump, cut firewood, lean-to type buildings, and fire-pits for fires. Someone called this the Hilton of backpacking, and I agree with him. If you prefer to stay off the beaten path, PA state forests allow overnight camping (one night per campsite), and several areas have trails, and available maps. Their state address is listed below, along with the local district's. Within the Forbes State Forest district, there are two areas, which seem agreeable to backpacking: Bear Run Nature Reserve, west of Laurel ridge from Hidden Valley (Rt 31.), and the Quebec Run Trail System, south of Uniontown, east of Laurel Ridge, near the WV border. Information on these can be obtained from the Laughlintown office. Laurel Ridge State Park Dept of Environmental Resourses RD. #3, Box 179 Bureau of Foresty Rockwood PA. 15557 P.O. Box 1467 Harrisburg PA. 17120 DER- Bureau of Forestry P.O. Box 519 Laughlintown, PA. 15655