Ever hike the Laurel Highlands trail (PA ) ?

“I just purchased the trail guide for the Laurel Highlands Trail and I have been itching to get out there. Supposed to be one of the nicest trails in PA and traverses some of the highest elevations with in PA (which isn't very high :O[ ).

I have heard that it is a really fun trail to do in the winter, because the shelters are really nice and have stone fire places. Looks like there are some nice gorges and vistas as well.

I would like to plan a trip out there.”

“I've done a couple of sections of this trail a few years ago. My son did a "uber-hike" as he likes to call it. Here's the TR from a couple of years ago....
NOW...I've seen it myself!
Trip Report- Laurel Highlands Trail:

This past weekend my son and 2 friends from our Boy Scout Troop hiked the Laurel Highlands Trail in PA. 2 weeks ago I was telling one of my Scouts about this posting on the “other site” and he got the idea that he could hike this in 2 days. So...... Saturday I found myself up at 4am in my role as "support team member". The three boys (ages 15,16,17) were dropped at the trailhead, at mile marker 70, at 7am and sent on their way. The goal that day was to reach the shelters at mile 32.5 where I would be waiting with another father and a couple of younger brothers with their sleeping equipment and food. We also dropped water for them at 2 points along the trail. I arrived at the shelters around 5:00pm and set up camp. The boys were carrying a two-way radio and a cell phone and had checked in a couple of times throughout the day. At about 9:00pm they came strolling into camp. They had accomplished the 38.5 mile goal for the day! Tired, sore and hungry, they were anxious to remove their boots and eat a hot meal. They still didn’t get to bed until 10:30 that night. I awoke around midnight to the sound of rain. After making sure that everything that needed to be dry was in the shelter, I fell back asleep until 6:00am. That is the time that the “trekin trio” wanted to get up to begin day 2. The rain had stopped but, the skies were overcast and the sun was behind the clouds. They boys were slow to crawl from their bags and many groans were heard with each slow movement. After breakfast and a quick check of gear in their packs, off they went to finish the remaining 32.5 miles to Ohiopyle. They left the campsite at 8:00am. We packed our own packs and started the hike to the parking area. From there we dropped water at 2 more spots for them and went to Ohiopyle to wait. We spent the morning at the falls and surrounding area and still no word from the trio. We drove out of town for a late lunch and it began to rain again, a hard rain. We thought that this might slow their pace and were getting anxious to hear where they were and if everyone was alright. Still no phone call or radio contact. At about 4:00pm we decided to check the water we had dropped to see if they had passed the crossroads yet. The water that was left at mile 58 was still there but the water left earlier was gone. That meant that they had at least 12 miles left to complete from there and it was 4:00pm. While I had been gone to check the first water drop, the boys came thru the crossroad at the 58 mile mark. It was discussed whether they should try to finish because at the current pace it would be late until they finished and we had a 2 ½ hour drive ahead of us. They assured us that they were picking up their pace and would finish by 9:00pm. Five hours to hike 12 miles? I guess I would have said the same thing when I was 16. They drank all that I had in the vehicle and on they went. For me, back to the falls area to wait. At 8:30 I headed to the trailhead to see if I could reach them on the radio. Contact! They were just a little more than 1 mile from me. I could see their headlights coming down the road to where I was parked. I sense of pride and relief as I see the trio walking towards me. They did it! It was 8:55pm. They couldn’t wait to sit on something soft and take their boots off. They piled into my vehicle (with the windows open) and we headed back to see the falls at night, then, began our ride home. We stopped for ice cream and it was suggested that another trip be planned. I suggested that they wait until they found out how their bodies felt about this trip the next morning before they make plans again. It wasn’t long until the car was quiet and all were sleeping.”

“most of the trail is rolling, except for the northern and southern ends in ohiopyle and the conemaugh river gorges. those are the nicest sections and have the most views. beam rocks is also nice.”

“It reminded me a lot of the Appalachian Trail, except that you have to make reservations and pay to camp on the Laurel Highlands Trail. We did about 2/3 of it several years ago - still have about 12 miles to finish it up.”