June jubilation exists on our region's trails. Read below about what has happened this Spring and what is in store in the Summer of 2018. Share your positive experiences and support the community by enjoying the local scenery.
The Laurel Highlands Ultra, a 70.5 mile race, blazed through the forest this June. The Laurel Highlands Trail, running from Johnstown to Ohiopyle, is a challenging landscape to hike, no matter the distance. To run the entire thing - astonishing and a bit mad. According to the results link, 85 brave souls finished this wilderness test with finishers from across Pennsylvania and all over the land, including Vermont, Florida, North Carolina, and Canada. Congratulations to all those who finished this incredible adventure run.
One week later, another batch of brave men and women were on the Ghost Town Trail for a 50K, 25K, or 12K endurance Saturday. The event, Ghost Town Trail Challenge, is part of the 2018 Cambria County Trail Series. According to the results page, 191 men and women completed their challenge. The Ghost Town Trail is a regional gem for hikers, bikers, and runners. Upcoming events on the trail include the 4th Annual Chernisky Classic on Saturday, July 7th featuring a 10K, 5K, and Firecracker Run for the young bucks. Later in the summer, on Saturday, August 11th, the Run for the Trail 7K will takeoff from the Dilltown trailhead.
On the same day as the Ghost Town Trail Challenge, 59 humans completed the Levity Summer Festival 5K on the Hoodlebug Trail in neighboring Indiana County. This out-and-back course included a run through a tunnel and across a bridge. I was with this jolly gang as 3.1 miles is more in my wheelhouse. 70.5 miles or a 50K would be my nuthouse. 25K or 12K would be doable, but I would live in a house of pain well into the following week. Alas, I zipped along the Hoodlebug. My wife and her cousin pushed my daughters via strollers in the 2-mile family fun walk. They both fell asleep proving that exercising is relaxing and a good way to get some color. My daughters fell asleep - not my wife and her cousin.
The trails into Stackhouse Park are ready for summer fun. Take any trail to the main pavilion for tonight's First Day of Summer party. Games, music, and children will be running free at 7 PM. Then, this Saturday, join an adventure crew for Faith and the Forest. We will be leaving the Saint Michael's church parking lot at 10:30 A.M. to explore and more. It will be a looped hike for kids and adults. And finally, Run the Park, a 10-mile, 10K, and 5K is coming to Stackhouse on Saturday, August 25th.
My daughters and I recently visited the Jim Mayer Trail in Riverside, not to hike, but to bird watch (chase). Near the playground before the trailhead, a gaggle of geese and dozens of quackers were a-quacking. My 3-year-old and 15-month zoologist were mad over mallards. It was National Geographic meets Family Circus. The Family Fun Run on the Jim Mayer Trail is scheduled for Saturday, September 9th. I did it last year. It's a great 5K and the last leg in the Cambria County Trail Series.
If you voyage over Ligonier Mountain, check out the Ligonier Valley Trail that hugs Route 711. It is a smooth and flat trail, covering roughly 3 miles if you do an out-and-back. On a LVT run this morning, I competed against rabbits darting in and out of the brush. Mountain bikers need not travel over the mountain to find adventure as the Inclined Plane Trails in Westmont is now open for biking business. Ride at your own risk. Check out videos on the Facebook page - Friends of the Inclined Plane Trails.
Find a friend. Find a trail. Share the love. Share the trail.
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