Contact Info
- Phone 1:
- 814-723-5150
- Phone 2:
- 814-726-2710
Description
This 17 kilometer (10.8 mile) loop trail offers a pleasant 2-3 day backpacking experience or a shorter day hike. This trail leads to Morrison Campground, a primitive area of 38 boat/hiking access campsites, which have picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and pump water.
Details
Additional Details:
You travel through Management Area 6.1 and 6.2 (a designation by the ANF Land and Resource Management Plan). Both management areas emphasize the semi-primitive, non-motorized recreation setting and provide vegetation management that favor wildlife species such as turkey and bear. In the 6.2 area, the southern half of the trail area, vegetation management activity will only occur for one decade every 40 years. A portion of the trail on the north section will parallel an oak regeneration area, which is fenced to exclude deer and improve the oak seedling growth.
Slopes along the reservoir and along the small streams are steep. Large boulders can be found on the steeper hillsides. Most of the area is heavily forested in second growth timber; primarily oak and hickory. Hemlock is found in small groves along the streams, and some magnificent old white pines can be found in scattered locations. Mid to late June provides a perfect opportunity to view the Mountain Laurel, the Pennsylvania State flower. Opportunities to view wildlife, deer, squirrel, grouse, and turkey are also good.
The trail is marked with off-white diamond markers. Dispersed camping is permitted along the trail. Campfires are permitted in a fire ring only. If you choose to camp along the trail and are not within the boundary of Morrison Campground, a Forest Order requires that camps be set up a minimum of 1500 feet from the timber line of the reservoir.
The skill level of these hiking trails are more difficult and you should be in good health to enjoy them. We encourage you to hike with at least one other person and to leave your itinerary with friends so they''ll know where to look if you don''t return on time or need assistance.
Practice no trace ethics - pack it in, pack it out, and for sanitary disposal of wastes, dig a pit on flat ground at least 6 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water.
These trails are open for winter hiking. Remember to dress in layers appropriate for the weather conditions. Be aware that these trails are used heavily in the late fall and spring by hunters. It is a good idea to wear bright fluorescent colored clothing if hiking during these time periods.
The nearest hospital is in Warren, 16 miles west. The nearest telephone is 4 miles west at the intersection of SR 59 and FR 262 at the Kinzua Point Information Center.