Beat the heat—and crowds—at lesser-known oases
Air conditioning isn’t cheap but it’s always a few degrees cooler in the mountains. When the heat bears down a high elevation escape can be just the thing to refresh and recharge. Don’t like crowds? You’re out of luck if the only mountain destinations you know are the high-profile spots that draw throngs with the same idea–escape to the cool green ridges. Fortunately, worthy but less acclaimed places within an hour’s drive are high, cool and un-crowded. Below are some ideas for weekend day-trips to places that are not only cooler but are interesting and informative, within an hour’s drive of town.
Spruce Flats Bog Wildlife Area
Spruce Flats Bog is a mysterious 300-acre mountain-top wetland, the origin of which is unclear. Few trees grow within the bog, which resembles a swath of transplanted tundra from a thousand miles north. The bog is part of Forbes State Forest and is managed as habitat for unusual wetland wildlife and plants. An attractive boardwalk leads from the drier surrounding forest into the heart of the bog, where a circular observation platform allows you to sense the wild and seemingly sub-arctic setting. Birds seldom seen in more settled places flit among the few snags and pioneer hemlocks that dot the wetland. Rare and unusual plants grow in the tannin-stained water only a few inches off the boardwalk. It’s a small place but worth a visit, especially on a hot day in the lowlands. The bog’s position at the very crest of Laurel Ridge makes it cooler with constant welcome breezes.
To find Spruce Flats Bog Wildlife Area, follow Route 711 north from Donegal to the access road to Linn Run State Park just south of Ligonier (signs point the way to the park). Turn east (right) onto Linn Run Road and follow it upward through this small but attractive state park. Check out the spring of drinking water along the road near the picnic area–very refreshing. It will seem like the climb to the top is endless but eventually you will see the small parking area for Spruce Flats Bog and Laurel Summit State Park on the left at the crest. It’s a short but pleasant walk to the boardwalk and platform.
Mount Davis Natural Area
It’s surprising how many local people have never visited the Mount Davis Natural Area a few miles to the east in Somerset County. At 3,213 feet above sea level, Mount Davis is Pennsylvania’s highest point. But don’t expect a prominent peak. Mount Davis is simply the highest prominence along the spine of Negro Mountain, a long northeast-southwest ridge that parallels the Laurel and Chestnut ridges farther west. Still, it’s a kick standing stop the boulder at the base of the observation tower knowing that all other 12 million Pennsylvanians are below your elevation.
The tower is definitely worth climbing. From the ground the view is unimpressive but after huffing upward to above the tree canopy the vistas open up. All around are wooded ridges stretching for miles. At least two wind-turbine farms are visible, one to the east near Meyersdale and one to the west above Cranberry Glade Lake. The best view is to the west, where you can look right into the Youghiogheny Gorge where the Yough flows from Confluence to Ohiopyle. You can expect temperatures to be something like 15 degrees cooler than in lowland urban zones, with a dependable northwest wind to cool you even more.
Mount Davis Natural Area is also part of Forbes State Forest and the Bureau of Forestry maintains an attractive picnic area with tables and grills about a quarter-mile from the tower. You can reach it by trail, or from the Mount Davis Road. A number of interpretive displays and exhibits surround the observation tower, explaining the mountain’s geology, and a 3D relief map atop the tower helps you get your bearings.
To reach Mount Davis from Uniontown, follow Route 40 east to Route523 after crossing Youghiogheny Reservoir. Turn north (left) onto Route 523, go a short distance to Listonburg and turn east (right) onto Mount Davis Road. Follow Mount Davis Road for the long climb to the top.
Mountain Streams Trail System
This one is wilder. Mountain Streams Trail System is a network of a half-dozen hiking trails throughout the 3,000-acre Roaring Run Wild Area of Forbes State Forest near Jones Mills in Westmoreland County.
The trails follow rushing streams through hemlock shade and cool breezes that roll off the mountain above. Several parking areas and trailheads line Route 381 north of where it crosses Route 31 at Jones Mills. You can find a printable map by searching www.dcnr.state.pa.us for Roaring Run Natural Area or Mountain Streams Trail System.