Great Allegheny Passage, PA - Confluence to Connellsville with Sheepskin Trail and Baughman Rock Overlook Loop Hike

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Great Allegheny Passage - GAP Trail

Ohiopyle State Park - Pennsylvania State Parks

TRAIL MAP: 

Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trail Guide - GAP Trail

Ohiopyle State Park Map - Pennsylvania State Parks

DISTANCES:

Day 1:

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

Day 2:

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 BIKE AND HIKE: 

Leaving Hanna House B&B in the fog at 6 AM.  Frances, the owner, said because of the rivers it's foggy like that every morning.

After a short road section ...

... back on the trail heading into Confluence.

Thank goodness I had ridden into town for dinner the night before and was able to see the views because there weren't any views in the fog.

Following the twisty curvy part that avoids road crossings ...

... then continuing straight where I had turned right the nigh before to go into town.

Coming into Ohiopyle State Park.

Where the GAP had been following the Casselman River the previous day, it now follows the Youghiogheny River the rest of the way.

Walking down one of the access areas for a view of the river.

Youghiogheny River

Downed trees from the storm the week before - so glad they had been cleared!  That would have been a mess to get through if even possible.

Up ahead at the gate ...

... the Baughman Rock/Sugarloaf Trails.

Bike locked to the fence and off on the hike.

The trail climbs steeply at times but mostly steadily.  It was hot and humid and buggy.  You don't feel it as much on the bike but it's very evident while hiking.

At this post I would be crossing the road after continuing straight for a short out and back to Baughman Rock.

There is a parking area so you can drive to the overlook.  But why when you can hike there?

Baughman Rock Overlook

I was under the impression you could see the river from up here but maybe that is when the leaves are down.

Retracing on the Baughman Trail ...

... then left across the road to continue to the Sugarloaf Trail.

Right on the Lower Sugarloaf Trail.

You can hear the water in Meadow Run down below almost the entire length of this trail but you can never see it with the foliage.

I always think I am stepping over a stick until the image reaches my brain which takes a second.

I think these black rat snakes are adorable. 

Coming off the trail all I could think about was I wanted ice cream for lunch.  Just ice cream, nothing else.

Riding a short distance into town ...

... then a left just off the trail to the Ohiopyle Kickstand.

Coffee House Cookies and Cream

Back to the trail to continue left towards Connellsville.

Youghiogheny River

The trail is busy even on a weekday until you get farther away from town.

I had hiked Jonathan Run in April 2021.

A short distance ahead is the Mitchell Loop that I wanted to hike this time but it was just way too hot and humid and would not have been a good idea so regretfully, I had to pass on that hike.

At the 87 mile marker, the Sheepskin Trail is to the left.

Heading towards Dunbar.

It starts off nice and shady like most of the GAP had been so far.

Then there is this section in full sun in 90+ degrees with high humidity.  I almost turned back but glad I didn't.

You do end up back in the shade and it becomes more shaded and scenic along a babbling creek.

To the end in Dunbar ...

... then heading back.

Back at the intersection at the 87 mile marker, left into Connellsville.

Back at the Comfort Inn in Connellsville ...

... and my car that I had thankfully parked in the shade the previous day.

A one hour drive to the Comfort Inn in Ebensburg, PA where there was outstanding water pressure for a much needed shower and a perfectly quiet room with a very comfortable bed for a really good night sleep.