Thursday, July 16, 2026

Nathans Divide Watershed, PA

ABOUT THE PARK: 
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.  

No comments:

Post a Comment