Hiking the Highlands

The second installation of Haunting the Highlands again features a legend from Somerset County, this time focused on the small area of Hexebarger, or Hexie, and the witches that lived there throughout the years. I'm joined by local folklore enthusiast Michael Cook and The Tribune-Democrat photographer Thoams Slusser on this adventure through the hills and history outside Confluence. Music credit: "Spellcraft" by Geoff Harvey

On this special spooky episode of Hiking the Highlands the Somerset County legend of Jacob Thomas, his seven devils and hidden treasure, is explored, as well as how the myth has changed through the years.

Prince Gallitzin State Park Manager Jessica Lavelua acts as a guide through the more than 6,000 acre green space and all of its amenities from fishing, boating and hiking to camping and snowmobiling in this episode of Hiking the Highlands. The park is located in the northern part of Cambria County.

With just miles to go, Tribune-Democrat reporters Russ O'Reilly, Joshua Byers and photographer John Rucosky connect once more with GO Laurel Highlands Public Relations Director Eric Knopsnyder to finish the 70-mile journey on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail in the final episode of Woodland Wanderings, a special Hiking the Highlands series.

Tribune-Democrat photographer John Rucosky is back with GO Laurel Highlands Public Relations Director Eric Knopsnyder for the next section of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and this time T-D reporter Russ O'Reilly tags along for the roughly 30-mile trek. Tune in to find out how this outing went and who we run into along the way in this episode of Woodland Wanderings.

In this episode of Hiking the Highlands, myself, Tribune-Democrat photographer John Rucosky and Go Laurel Highlands Director of Public Relations Eric Knopsnyder attempt a three-day backpacking trip on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail as part of a special report and partnership between the two entities. This is the first in a three-part series. Check www.tribdem.com for photos, stories, video and more.

Ever wonder who planted the seed for Cambria County to grow into one of the best hiking areas in the state? It was local trail legend Laurie Lafontaine and in this episode she sits down with me at the Dillweed Bed and Breakfast in Dilltown, Indiana County, to share her story and how many of the local pathways came to be. That ranges from her position as the trails head for abandoned railways and trail development for America's Industrial Heritage Project to development of the Great Allegheny Passage, the legacy of her advocacy and much more.

From Frank Loyd Wright to Buffalo Bill, a lengthy discussion about the beautiful Southwestern Pennsylvania autumns, and one of the best views on any hike I've taken. Come along with GO Laurel Highlands Director of public relations and community outreach Eric Knopsnyder and myself on the Wolf Rocks Trail at the Laurel Summit State Park in Somerset County.

Jack Maguire, Jack Maher, Jerry Seitz are all alumni of the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy and largely responsible for work along the West Penn Trail and rehabilitation of several bridges on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. Join me on this episode of Hiking the Highlands in which these men, along with CVC Executive Director John Wenzal, discuss the in-depth work that went into the creation of these paths.

Out past Windber Borough in Somerset County is more than 16,000 acres of protected woodland in the Babcock Division of the Gallitzin State Forests. On this episode of Hiking the Highlands, Justin Vinglas, a recreational forester with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, guides me through the Bog and Boulder Trail off state Route 56, which lives up to its name. For more information on the Gallitzin State Forests, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests.

The Great Allegheny Passage stretches from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh and picks up where the C&O Canal Towpath stops on its way from Washington, D.C. Within the more than 40 miles of the GAP in Somerset County there's roughly as many attractions for visitors to inspect, such as the Salisbury Viaduct, which provides a breathtaking view from its 101-foot height. Joining me this month to provide background on this historic path is Somerset County parks and trails Director Lindsay Baer, who some listeners may recognized from the 9/11 Trails episode. Larry Adams, county parks board members, also tags along and provides invaluable information about the Great Allegheny Passage, which he gained while building the first 16 miles during his time managing Ohiopyle State Park.

An introduction to all the wonders Hiking the Highlands has to offer.

Tucked away in the forest surrounding the Ebensburg Municipal Authority's upper reservoir is Nathan's Divide Watershed Education Center. Dave Lester has dreamed of creating an outdoor destination for decades and in 2016 decided to make that dream a reality. Thus far, the center sports roughly five miles of trails and several educational programs for various ages. But he's not done. Lester has many more ideas for developing the area while also preserving the natural scenery. On this episode of Hiking the Highlands, the local man walks me through not only what he and numerous volunteers have accomplished to date but his hopes for the future. For more information, visit www.nathansdivide.org.

Sept. 11, 2001 was one of the darkest days in United States history, but out of that terrible event has grown numerous memorials to heroism, bravery and patriotism, such as the September 11 National Memorial Trail. Once complete, the 1,300-mile path will connect Washington D.C., Somerset County Pennsylvania and New York City using existing and new infrastructure. One stretch of the future trail is partially built outside of Garrett, Somerset County, and on this episode Jeff McCauley, 9/11 Trail director of trail development, and Somerset County Parks and Trails Director Lyndsay Pyle give me a tour of that area. www.911trail.org

Atop Cresson Mountain, just off the Gallitzin exit of U.S. Route 22, sits a park with ties to local, national and global history. Doug Bosley, National Park ranger and chief of interpretation and visitor services, takes me on a tour of the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site that dates back to the mid-1800s and features 15 miles of trails.

The Ghost Town Trail, a 48-mile stretch of old rail line with various extensions, is one of Cambria County's most visited hiking destinations, and for good reason. The crushed limestone path features numerous scenic opportunities and passes through several small towns that each sport a parking area for easy access. Caytlin Lusk, Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority program coordinator, guides me through the trail attractions, history and projects on this episode of Hiking the Highlands.

This month's episode is a little different from the others due to the weather. We'll be discussing the Honan Avenue Hiking and Biking Trail but we won't be outside. Instead, Paulette Baker and Ron Shawley, of the Laurel Highlands Historic Village, join me in The Tribune-Democrat recording studio to chat about the trail, history of the area and paranormal events. Honan Avenue Hiking Trail Map

What started as two historic trails has been built up to 10 paths on the Lorain Borough-owned hillside by residents interested in creating a community asset. I'm joined by Mike Hammers, his wife Brandy, Eric Kennedy and Dan Kovalik on this episode of Hiking the Highlands. We take to the White Tail path of the Lorain/Stonycreek Hiking Trails.

Mike Cook takes me all over the hillside that sports one of Johnstown's biggest attractions, the Inclined Plane. Hiking trails and downhill mountain biking paths zig-zag up and down the slope - many of which Cook has built by hand throughout the past five years. In this episode we discuss his involvement in local groups, the area's history and much more.

Here's the first episode of Hiking the Highlands: Bonus Miles. It includes some additional material cut from the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail episode I think listeners might enjoy.

On this episode I hike the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail with Kimberly Peck, an environmental education specialist with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. We cover how Laurel Ridge Park came to be, backpacking tips and natural resources in the area.

This time around, Stackhouse Park Board Chairman Mike Zibura guides me through the beautiful nature area nestled between Westmont Borough, Lower Yoder Township, Brownstown and several other municipalities in Cambria County, Pennsylvania. We cover everything from preservation of the park, the history of how it came to be and the hours of volunteer hours needed to keep it up and running.

On this episode of Hiking the Highlands, I'm joined by Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority Executive Director Cliff Kitner. We take to The Path of the Flood Trail, starting from the Franklin Borough trailhead, and chat about everything from CCCRA projects and Cliff's background in recreation to the historic Staple Bend Tunnel - the nation's oldest railroad tunnel.