Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (Pennsylvania)

Each night of this trip ends at an established campsite managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Staying at these shelters requires a permit. More information about the trail and reservations can be found at https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/Hiking/LaurelHighlandsHikingTrail/Pages/default.aspx (if the link is broken, search for "Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail DCNR" and you should be able to find the active page).
Options are designed so that a group wishing to earn the Backpacking Merit Badge may do Option 2 while a group wishing to do the Hiking Merit Badge may simultaneously do Option 3. The only night the groups will stay at different shelters is the first night.
The shelter areas feature open face shelters with fire places and pit toilets. Water sources are available at each shelter location, but will need to be filtered. If choosing to use the shelters, you may be able to cut down on weight by not using tents. Alternatively, tenting and hammocking is permitted in the area around the shelters.
The trail lets out at Wilderness Voyageurs, which offers a 10 miles white water rafting trip. Camping is available on the premises of the outfitter and showers are available. In addition to white water rafting, bicycles may be rented to ride on local trails. There is also a public beach on the river in town.
If adding white water rafting, this becomes a 6 day / 5 night trip.

Seasoned Itinerary (Option 1)

This itinerary is a day longer, but breaks the longest day of Option 2 into two separate days. This may be a better option for backpacking only groups who prefer not to have the long 13 mile day.

Parking is available at Laurel Summit State Park, from which you can hike into the Turnpike shelters.

Seasoned Itinerary (Option 2)

Gaia GPS Map

This itinerary is intended to pair with Option 3 where there are two groups working on either Backpacking or Hiking merit badges. Use this itinerary for the Backpacking group.

The only night where the two groups stay at different shelters is the first night (Day 0). All subsequent nights the groups are in the same campsite.

Parking is available at Laurel Summit State Park, from which you can hike into the Turnpike shelters.

Seasoned Itinerary (Option 3)

Gaia GPS Map

This itinerary is intended to pair with Option 2 where there are two groups working on either Backpacking or Hiking merit badges. Use this itinerary for the Hiking group.

The only night where the two groups stay at different shelters is the first night (Day 0). All subsequent nights the groups are in the same campsite.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Overview

Gaia GPS Map

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a 70 mile trail stretching from Ohiopyle State park to the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown, PA. There are 8 backcountry shelters available for use along the trail.

Camping at designated shelter areas is a requirement and must be reserved in advance. Each shelter accommodates 4-6 campers. There is space for 30 additional tents beyond the shelters. The Department of Natural Resources requests that groups utilize only one shelter to ensure space for other hikers.

Shuttling services are available through Wilderness Voyageurs in Ohiopyle.

Adapting to a 50-Miler

The three trail maps provided here all fall short of 50 miles. None of the trails include the 10 miles of white water rafting, which is an easy way to add several miles. Consider also that All Trails tends to underestimate distances. It is safe to add two miles to the totals on each of these trails. (for instance, the official length of the Laurel Highlands Trail is 70 miles, while AllTrails estimates the length to be 65 miles).

The area near the Rt 653 shelter has a number of cross country trails that would be suitable for day hiking. You arrive at these shelters on one of the shorter days of hiking as well, which makes it a good day to add easy day hike miles.

Adapting the 45 Mile Trip

AllTrails lists this as a 44.45 mile trip, but it starts just after the trail's mile marker 46. Realistically, the total trail length is probably very close to 48 miles when side trails to shelters are included. A three mile side trek should be enough to complete the 50 mile requirement. Including the white water trip would put your crew well over 50 miles.

Adapting the 38 Mile Trip

AllTrails lists this as a 38.36 mile trip, but it starts beyond mile marker 38. With the side trails into the shelters, the total length is probably between 39 and 40 miles. If you include the white water rafting in your trip, you would only need to include an additional mile to make the 50 mile requirement.

If you choose not to do the white water trip, you will want to add a couple of side trips. Some locations where side trips may be feasible are

Roaring Run Natural Area
Cross Country Trails around the Rt 653 Shelter
Ohiopyle State Park

In addition to white water rafting, Wilderness Voyageurs rents bicycles, and there is a Rails-to-Trail system nearby that could be used to pick up extra miles.

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