Ohiopyle State Park, PA - Falls Area with Ferncliff Natural Area

ABOUT THE PARK:
Ohiopyle State Park - Pennsylvania DCNR

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 39.868358, -79.494410

In the afternoon people are circling for a parking spot so best to get there early.

TRAIL MAP:
Ohiopyle State Park Trail Map - Pennsylvania DCNR

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HIKE DISTANCE:  5.5 miles

THE HIKE:

We started by heading towards the bridge which is the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail.  We would be on a bit of that later.

For now crossing the river on the pedestrian part of the road bridge.

The Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny Passage.

Just after the bridge, left into the parking lot and straight through to the far end...

... to the Ferncliff Natural Area

We went left on the Ferncliff Trail.

The trail comes out at the river and follows a very scenic stretch on rock slabs.

Three common merganser ladies.

The visitor center observation decks across the river.

Continuing the loop at a higher level with the river down below to the left.

This trail is blazed black/blue but sometimes the blazes are hard to see.

Staying left on the Ferncliff Trail when the Fernwood Trail goes right.

The trail makes a sharp right but it also goes straight a short distance to underneath the Great Allegheny Passage where it ends.

We backtracked and followed where the trail turned up to the Great Allegeheny passage and turned left to ...

... cross the bridge.

Youghiogheny River from the Great Allegheny Passage

Just after the bridge, left on the Great Gorge Trail.

This is a smooth, wide trail all the way out to ...

.. left over a bridge.

Just after the bridge, left after the Cucumber Falls Sign.

Cucumber Falls which is insanely crowded because there is a parking lot to get to it.

Descending to the bottom of Cucumber Falls.

It was impossible to get a picture without other people in it.

Continuing on past the falls on the yellow-blazed trail.

Looking back at Cucumber Falls from the yellow trail.

The Meadow Run Trail, also blazed yellow goes up to the right.

This is a very rugged trail where I found unprepared and elderly people unaware of how challenging this trail is.

The trail passes along the river with great views.

At the sign, a short out and back to the Slides.

I didn't zoom in far enough but there were people riding down the chute in the distance like they were in a water park.

Heading back to that last sign where we turned left up to the road.

Left on the road ...

... and follow the yellow footprints back to the visitor center.

At the visitor center heading back to where we parked.

Brodie is all vacationed out. After this hike, a little over 5 hours to home.  2,390 miles of driving and 50 miles of hiking over 10 days in 4 states.. 

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