Forbes State Forest, PA - Mount Davis

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Forbes State Forest Wild and Natural Areas - PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Mount Davis Natural Area Fact Sheet - PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 39.76767, -79.18919

Laurel Run Trailhead Parking

TRAIL MAP:

Mount Davis Area Trail Map - PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

HIKE DISTANCE:  8.9 miles

THE HIKE: 

Day two of driving from Missouri back to New Jersey.  I had this hike in my file since the printed date stamp of 9/30/2014.  Because of harsh weather on the high peak of Mount Davis this hike was never an option the many times I was in the area previously.  On this day, the weather was gorgeous, very windy but highs in the upper 60's.  The following day the highs would be in the 30's so the timing was perfect.

Laurel Run Trail - red blazes are not the color of the trail rather indicate permitted usage, in this case multi-use (hike/bike/horse).  Yellow is foot traffic only.

Passing by the Livengood Trail which would be our return route.

Staying on the Laurel Run Trail.

Coming out at South Wolf Rock Road where we turned right.

A gravel road walk to connect to the next trail.

Coming up on Laurel Run and the Tub Mill Trailhead.

Laurel Run - not much water this time of year.

Staying with the Tub Mill Trail all the way to the end.

The Tub Mill Trail crosses over Shelter Rock Road.

Foot traffic only on this portion.

At the end of Tub Mill Trail, left on High Point Trail.

I only made it up about 4 levels of the observation tower.  It was crazy windy and my fear of heights was kicking in so I aborted any attempt to go higher.

Brodie waiting patiently down below.  The little dog off to the right was a mini-me of Brodie.

The high point survey marker was on top of a steep, high boulder so I had to zoom in from another boulder.

Observation Tower on Mount Davis

Passing by the parking area of Mount Davis.

Turning left on South Wolf Rock Road where the paved road becomes gravel.  Cars going to the parking lot come in from the right so there is very little traffic on this part of the road.

A little farther up ahead on the right ...

... a small parking lot and an observation deck for a great view.

High Point Lake View

Continuing on South Wolf Rock Road keeping left at the fork.

Right on Livengood Trail.

Right on Laurel Run Trail to retrace to the end.

Versailles State Park, IN

ABOUT THE PARK: 

Versailles State Park - Indiana Department of Natural Resources

There is a $9 out of state entrance fee.

No hunting in Indiana State Parks except for certain days in November when the parks are closed.

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 39.08227, -85.23577

Mountain Bike Trailhead Parking

TRAIL MAP:

Versailles State Park Trail Map - Indiana Department of Natural Resources

HIKE DISTANCE:  9 miles

THE HIKE: 

Heading back to New Jersey from Missouri, making a bit of a detour to incorporate a hike into the long drive.

Crossing the park road from the parking lot to the mountain bike trailhead.

Left at the yellow sign; we would be returning from the right.

Left on the Creekside Trail.

Laughery Creek

On the Grandview Trail for the next 5.5 miles.

I saw a few of these here and there and had no idea what they were but assumed some sort of mushroom.  Indeed, they are called puffball mushrooms and apparently are edible.  They are about the size of a bowling ball.

Back along Laughery Creek at a higher level.

Heading to that picnic table for a break.

View from the picnic table.

Staying right on the Grandview Trail.

Looking down at that picnic table we had stopped at.

Instead of following the sign, which would have made us retrace a substantial section of trail, we went left on the Center Loop then left on the Cliffside Trail.

Coming back out at the yellow sign, left back to the parking lot.

On to Columbus, Ohio for an overnight before heading the rest of the way home.