A Perfect Ohiopyle Spring Day
Yee-ha Ohiopyle is Emerging from Winter
Ohiopyle sits between Laurel Ridge and Chestnut Ridge of the Appalachians, which means early spring shadows are long. Around here one of the first indicators that ol’ man winter is in the rearview mirror is that the Trillium are in bloom. Look for them on shady slopes as they avoid direct sunlight. The white blooms are the most commonly found flower, with the maroon being much more rare. Keep your eyes peeled when you are on the Great Allegheny Passage between Ohiopyle and Confluence. Bring your camera.
Another hot spot for Trillium is in the vicinity of Bruner Run, the take out point for the Lower Yough Rafting trip. Fun fact about Trillium: ants are a major seed disperser of the plant.
The Spring Dog Swim! An unofficial Ohiopyle Tradition
The Spring Dog Swim! An unofficial Ohiopyle TraditionAnother sure fire sign of warming weather, is the spring dog swim in the Yough River. Water temperatures in Ohiopyle have finally broken the 60 degree mark and the dogs are stoked! Take them for a swim and then head over to the shop for a drink from our doggie water bowl!
Mountain Bike Single Track
The mountain bike trails around Ohiopyle State Park quickly dry out in the spring and the winter tree fall is being removed slowly but surely. So time to step out of the office for a quick blast up Baughman Trail. This is a lung buster, you access the trail from the south end of the Middle Yough parking lot, and essentially climb up to the edge of the Youghiogheny Gorge. This means a 1000 feet gain in altitude in about 4 miles. The reward is worth it when you reach the amazing Baughman Rocks Overlook! Bring a water bottlefor a rest at the top!
Once you have climbed out of the gorge and you can breathe there is plenty of moving and grooving to be had. Beyond the look out is really great single track for another 1.5 miles. Then you have some decisions to make, keep climbing all the way to the top of Sugarloaf, take the hard top down, Sugarloaf trail, or even a descent of gas well road to the Great Allegheny Passage. No matter what your decision, you really cannot go wrong.
We Capped it off with the Great Allegheny passage (The GAP)
We Capped it off with the Great Allegheny passage (The GAP)Tonight, we finished off the ride with a quick spin on the GAP. Might as well try and fit all the high points in an afternoon.
Ohiopyle is back alive with people and energy, hats off to spring!
Trying to figure out how best to enjoy Ohiopyle State Park? Stop into our Ohiopyle outfitters store ( easy to find next to the railroad tracks) and we will hook up with a map and all of our park knowledge.
Wilderness Voyageurs, 103 Garrett Street, Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, 15470 800-272-4141