I came across this when I was researching the Ghost Town Trail. It was mentioned on the Cambria County Conservation site but the link was broken. I Googled and came up with this very recent Facebook post.
Then upon further searching I found a podcast explaining how to get to the parking lot which is tucked away and not obvious unless you know where it is.
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 40.50291, -78.71854
 |
| Turn onto the Crossroads Alliance Church drive and keep right ending up in the parking lot for the trails. |
TRAIL MAP:
 |
| I took a picture of this map in the kiosk and kept it open on my phone to navigate. |
DISTANCES:
Shuttle: Maple Leaf Outfitters from Connellsville to Meyersdale
Bike: Meyersdale to Confluence - 38.1 miles
Hike: Joshua Whetzel Trail - 1.2 miles
Overnight: Hanna House B&B
Bike: Confluence to Ohiopyle - 13.1 miles
Hike: Baughman Rock Overlook Loop - 5.65 miles
Bike: Ohiopyle to Sheepskin Trail to Connellsville - 21.7 miles
Overnight: Comfort Inn Ebensburg
Day 3:
Bike: Ghost Town Trail Loop - 34.5 miles
Hike: Nathan's Divide Watershed - 3.1 miles
THE HIKE:
This hike was just a few minutes of driving from where I had finished the Ghost Town Trail Loop. By the time I arrived to hike the air was becoming very smoky and I could smell burning wood the entire time.
 |
| Based on the previous 24 hours from the next morning it would have been in the orange heading to red range during this hike. |
 |
| Heading to the left of the kiosk ... |
 |
| ... to the Sprice Loop/Fisherman's Trail. |
 |
| Ebensburg Upper Reservoir |
 |
| That's not fog, it's all smoke from the wildfires. |
 |
| Back at the parking lot ... |
 |
| ... veering to the mowed path on the left. |
 |
| Taking the yellow Take A Chance trail counter clockwise. |
 |
| Back at the parking lot as I reached my car two fish and game officers drove in, presumably to check for fishing licenses since they asked me if I had seen anyone fishing, which I had. They must have noticed my New Jersey license plates and were curious as to how I found out about this place since only locals know about it. I told them it wasn't easy, but I did and it's a really nice little place to hike! |
 |
| Driving home, by the time I reached State College, the smoke was so thick you could barely see the mountains. It was like that all the way home. |
