We're going where?

Ohiopyle state park is a 19,000-acre area that's just great for all kinds of outdoor activity. It offers biking and hiking trails, whitewater boating, downhill and cross-country skiing, and is just a 1.5-hour drive from Pittsburgh. It also houses Frank Lloyd Wright's world-famous Fallingwater. In short, a great place to visit in those rare times when research is not on your mind.

Obviously we won't be able to show you all of it at once. Instead what we'll do is show you where it is and ask you to join us in either of

You'll also be able to watch the Ohiopyle falls, do a little bit of swimming (well, toe-dipping to be exact) under the bridge, or just stroll around the park.

Schedule and directions

We meet at 10am on Saturday Aug. 31 outside Newel Simon hall (between NSH and Smith hall). Volunteer drivers (see below) will drive us to Ohiopyle state park. We should get there by noon, spend about 3 hours hiking or biking, then maybe some light swimming or snacking in the city of Ohiopyle, and return. Expect to be back in Pittsburgh around 6pm.

Directions:

Here's a handy driving map to Ohiopyle. And here's a map of the city and the place we'll meet at (WV bike shop).

Note to drivers: make sure you get a receipt for the gas. The easiest way to do this is to:

  1. Fill her up in Pittsburgh, before going to Ohiopyle.
  2. Once you're back, fill the tank again and use this receipt for reimbursement.

What should I bring?

We'll provide the transportation to Ohiopyle and back, and the bikes there.

You should bring:

I liked it! Can we do this again?

This is just a quick summary of information about outdoor activities in and around Pittsburgh:

Biking

Biking trails

Legend:
A: suitable for all kinds of bikes (inc. road bikes, kiddie carts etc.) and for riders of all levels.
B: mountain bikes recommended; some road sections may have steep descents, loose dirt, or small obstacles.
C: only for hardcore mountain-bikers (as in: this can get bloody).
R: bike rental available

Web sites and books

Nearby bike shops

Or browse a more complete listing of Pittsburgh bike shops

Hiking

There's a huge amount of hiking to do around here: Pennsylvania claims to have a state park within 25 miles of every single one of its inhabitants; and there are many other public lands to enjoy as well. Moraine and McConnel's Mill state parks are about 45 minutes to an hour North from campus. The Laurel Highlands area (with 3 different state parks named Laurel Something, as well as Ohiopyle SP, and Forbes State Forest) is about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours away to the South-East. Mt. Davis, the highest point in the state (don't hold your breath), is about 2 hours away. Allegheny National Forest is about 2 hours to the North, and there's some stuff closer as well. West Virginia is only about one hour South of here, then another hour or two depending on where in WV you're going.

Be aware that hunting is allowed in a surprising number of parks and times, so check with the ranger to see if it's hunting season. If so, wear bright-coloured clothing to avoid being taken for a deer or a duck or something. This is just a precaution; I've never met a hunter myself when hiking.

Everyone seems to have the 50 hikes in Western Pennsylvania book; it has 50 hikes in it, with directions to the trailhead, and all exceedingly accurately described. Buy it, or at least, borrow it.

The Keystone Trails Association web site has a wealth of information and does some trail-building activity. So does the Sierra Club, which also organizes a lot of hiking and other outdoors activities. (Note: searching for the sierra club on google gets you an outdated page).

On campus, the CMU Explorers Club does stuff most weekends and can loan out gear.

Skiing

Who's who

Organizers: Drivers:

Last comments

If you have comments or questions, drop me a line.
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