Ohiopyle State Park (Ferncliff Peninsula) & Yough River Brewery

October 29, 2023December 17, 2023hikesandhopsblog 2 Comments

Fayette County, PA

Ohiopyle has got to be my favorite day trip from Pittsburgh. There’s so much to do in the area and so many awesome hikes to check out. It’s also a fantastic place to see fall foliage! This short and easy hike is a great way for the whole family to experience the beauty of Ohiopyle. Once you’ve seen all the vistas and waterfalls, head north to Yough River Brewing for a tasty brew beside a fire pit. Talk about the perfect fall day!

THE HIKE: Ferncliff Peninsula

Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 137 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Trail use: Hiking, Leashed pets
Parking: Large lot at state park office or at trailhead
H&H: 5/5

Ohiopyle is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular state parks. Located about 90 minutes south of Pittsburgh, it covers over 20,000 acres of wooded land along the Youghiogheny River. The park is probably best known for the massive waterfall that stretches the whole length of the river. It is also the start/endpoint of the 71 mile Laurel Highlands backpacking trail. Ohiopyle offers a wide range of outdoors activities, including camping, whitewater rafting, biking and more!.

History

The name Ohiopyle comes from a Lenapi word meaning “to turn white”, in reference to the foamy water as it cascades over the rocks. In prehistoric times, the area was settled by the Monongahela tribes who disappeared before extended contact with Europeans. As colonists began to settle along the eastern coast, it forced other tribes like the Lenapi, Shawnee, and Seneca peoples, further inland to areas like Ohiopyle. Eventually even these people were forced off the land by the French and Indian War.

In the era of the French and Indian War, George Washington was sent to retake the area now known as Pittsburgh from the French. He hoped to pass through Ohiopyle on the Youghiogheny to Pittsburgh but found the rocky water and waterfalls impossible to traverse. Facing an impending French attack, Washington built Fort Necessity just a few miles southwest of Ohiopyle. Washington ‘s defeat at Fort Necessity was the only military defeat of his career.

After the war and the following Whiskey Rebellion, industry moved into the Ohiopyle region and trades like lumbering became a major production, followed by mining, tanning, and other smaller industries. With the rise of railroads, Ohiopyle became accessible to tourists, and soon became a popular destination for Pittsburgh travelers, prompting the building of hotels and other attractions. One such attraction was the Ferncliff Hotel located in the heart of Ohiopyle. It was a draw for the wealthier families of Pittsburgh who could take the train out. Eventually the rise of automobiles led to the decline of resorts like these and the Ferncliff hotel was torn down in 1940.

The Kaufman family (of department store fame) frequented the southwest pa area to stay at their home Fallingwater. Edgar Kaufman loved the surrounding area and eventually purchased the Ferncliff peninsula in addition to many acres surrounding Fallingwater. He gifted the land to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and In the mid 1960s, it was incorporated into Ohiopyle State Park!

Ohiopyle has some really interesting geology that is outlined in a self-guided walking tour. The guide can be picked up at the Visitor Center. For a great overview of the geology tours, check out Adventuring with Kelly’s page.

The Hike

This short, easy hike is accessible from the visitor center by walking down main street to the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail. Cross over the river via the bike trail and the trailhead will be to the left. Alternatively, you can park in the Ferncliff Natural Area parking lot but please note that it fills up quickly during peak times! Generally, Ohiopyle is a very popular place so parking during peak times, especially during the weekends can be difficult. Consider carpooling or visiting during the week.

The Ferncliff Peninsula is a popular spot in Ohiopyle but sees less traffic then some of the other spots. It’s also a great option for people of varied abilities. The trail can be rocky at times, but there isn’t a lot of elevation and the path stays wide and easy to traverse. Unfortunately, it becomes more difficult during rainy weather as the trail becomes muddy and rocks are slippery.

There are several intersecting trails in this area, but following the Ferncliff Trail allows a nice 1.8mile loop along the edge of the peninsula. I recommend going counterclockwise so that your hike ends with Ohiopyle Falls. Personally I like ending with a bang, although you can hike either direction. Just be sure to only stay on marked paths! Not only is going off official trails detrimental to the natural environment, it could also be hazardous in such a rocky area.

The first 1.5ish miles of this hike is a pleasant walk through tall trees with changes to see fossils in the exposed sandstone rock. Keep your eyes peeled; they will look like bike tracks embedded in the stone! After rounding the top of the peninsula, the trail follows through dense rhododendron thickets. Finally, there will be a set of wooden steps on the right that lead out to the waterfall viewpoint. This is a majestic spot so take lots of pictures and enjoy! Now, the trail will lead out onto the river rocks. Be careful during rainy times and be aware that during heavy rainfall, this trail section could be underwater. This is my favorite part of the trail. I love walking out on the rocks and feeling surrounded by the great river. When you’ve taken in all the sights and sounds, continue along the trail, following next to the river. The trail eventually bears to the left to take the Ferncliff trail back to the trailhead. Alternatively, there are steps leading up the GAP trail that go to the same place.

Now that you’ve seen the Ferncliff Peninsula, take the time to explore other spots in Ohiopyle! I highly recommend Cucumber Falls, Baughman Rock Overlook, and Meadow Run Trail. If you have time, Fallingwater is just up the road and Fort Necessity isn’t far. On the way back to Pittsburgh, make a stop in Connellsville to grab a beer at the new Yough River Brewing!

THE BEER: Yough River Brewery Co.

Address: 1030 S Arch St, Connellsville, PA 15425
Distance from Trail Head: 28 miles, 20 mins
Website: http://youghriverbrewing.com/
Food?: Food Trucks, BYOF
Details: Outdoor seating, Dog friendly outside

There’s so many incredible hikes in and around Ohiopyle, but it has already had a lack of breweries. No more! Yough River Brewery is newer taproom in Connellsville, PA. It’s still a bit of a drive from Ohiopyle, but is an easy stop on the way back to Pittsburgh. The taproom is located in an old plant nursery with plenty of outdoor space equipped with propane heaters to keep you toasty even as the weather starts to turn chilly. The taproom offers not only a wide selection of house made brews but also serve local ciders, wine, and liquor. Although I was there for the beer, some of the fall cocktails sounded delicious! They frequently host food trucks and on this location we had some surprisingly delicious corn dogs from Kickin’ Corndogs. Keep an eye on their social as weekends frequently feature musical guests.

We particularly liked that this taproom felt open to everyone, including dog owners and families. It was the perfect place to stop after a day of hiking! It’s also very close to the GAP trail in Connellsville so could be a great way to end a day of cycling!

Also huge shout out to the bar staff for letting me use a glass with a location for some photos!

Our Beer:

Stairway to Hazy – NEIPA – 6.2%
Wake Up Call – Coffee Stout – 5.9%
Graveyard Shift – Pumpkin Beer – 6.4%
Lou Dog – Dunkel – 5.8%
Bearded Nomad – IPA – 6.7%
Back Hop – Pale Ale – 5.6%
Chuggy’s Razz – Wheat Beer – 5.9%
Notorious Y.R.B – Blonde Ale – 4.5%

If you’re looking for other hikes and hops in the Laurel Highlands, check out Ohiopyle & Bloom Brew, Powdermill Nature Reserve & Four Seasons Brewing, and Wolf Rocks & Helltown.

Where else in the Laurel Highlands should Hikes & Hops explore?

Buttermilk Falls & Angry Erik Brewing

October 15, 2023hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

NW New Jersey

Visit the Delaware Water Gap Region for a view of New Jersey’s tallest waterfall! You won’t have to go far; it’s right at the trailhead! But if you have the time, I highly recommend this 6.5 mile loop. It’s challenging, but well worth it to experience a beautiful trek through the woods, a stretch on the Appalachian trail, and a lake only accessible by trail. Afterward, head to Hampton Township for robust brew at the viking-inspired Angry Erik Brewing!

THE HIKE: Buttermilk Falls Loop

Length: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,381 ft
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 3 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets,
Parking: Large lot at trailhead, no bathroom facilities, road has no winter
H&H: 5/5

The Delaware Water Gap is a national recreation area managed by the National Park Service. A NRA is a different type of public lands designation with a particular focus on outdoor recreation. Most NRAs are found near urban areas so that they are more accessible to visitors! The 70,000 acre region was designated as NRA in 1975 after long controversy over the building of a dam in the area. Despite having removed families from their land, the government determined that the project was too costly and turned over the property to the NPS for recreation management.

History

The Delaware Water Gap region is the ancestral home of the Lenape people. There are several archaeological sites throughout the region that place the Lenape people in the area as far as 10,000 years ago. The first European settlers in the area were Dutch and French settlers from the Hudson Valley. After contact with the northern Lenape, called Munsee, the settlers named the region Minisink. For more information about the history of the region, see here.

Geology

A water gap is a place where a stream or river has carved a gap through a mountain ridge or range. In this area, the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains, not only forming the gap but also acting as a border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The dramatic region was formed through hundreds of millions of years of water and glacial ice erosion. The river forms a steep gap between the Blue Mountains on the Pennsylvania side and the Kittatinny Ridge on the New Jersey side. Mount Minsi (PA) and Mount Tammany (NJ) are both very popular hikes that feature opposing sides of the DWG.

The Hike

The Delaware Water Gap region is known for its plethora of waterfalls. Buttermilk Falls is the highest waterfall in New Jersey and is the feature of this hike. This loop will take you up the side of the Falls, along the Appalachian Trail and past two lakes, for a challenging but rewarding 6 mile loop.

Fees: There are no fees for accessing the trails in the Delaware Water Gap Region.

Find the Trailhead: The trailhead can be found at Mountain Rd, Layton, NJ 07851 or GPS coordinates: 41.13754848406089, -74.88950898816402. The road to the trailhead is unpaved and can be very bumpy and full of potholes. It’s best traveled with a bigger vehicle or by taking it very slow. Be aware that the road closes in winter and that the dirt parking area can fill up quickly during peak times. The access road is one lane at time and you may have to pull over to let others pass.

Bathroom: There are no bathrooms at the trailhead but there are composting toilets at Crater Lake, approximately 2.5 miles into the hike.

You won’t have to go far to enjoy New Jersey’s tallest waterfall; it’s right at the trailhead! But if you have the time, I highly recommend this 6.5 mile loop. It’s challenging, but well worth it to experience a beautiful trek through the woods, a stretch on the Appalachian trail, and a lake only accessible by trail.

To start, take the stairs up the side of Buttermilk Falls. You’ll gain a lot of elevation in this hike and it’s mostly all in the first 1.5ish miles. Finally, the trail meets up with the Appalachian trail. This section of the trail is mostly flat and easy to traverse so it’s a nice break. Stay on the Appalachian trail for about 0.9 miles then follow the signs for Crater lake, leaving the AT behind. The path curves downhill and the lake is visible through the trees. From here you have a choice. You can do the whole loop around the lake (1.3 miles), or you can go to the small view point before the trail hits the access road. Whichever way you choose, you’ll retrace your steps back to where you left the AT. From there, head straight into the hemlock trees, following signs for Hemlock Lake. We followed the signs to the right for Blue Mountain Lake trail which were blazed green/red but it was difficult to tell. This trail took you around the lake and then met up with Woods Road. Turn left on Woods Road to go up to the lake and even dip your feet in if you need to cool off! From here, follow Woods Road all the way back until it crosses over Buttermilk Falls trail. It’s roughly a mile back to the parking area.

After a hike like that, you’ve definitely earned a brew!

THE BEER: Angry Erik Brewery

Address: 2 Camre Dr, Newton, NJ 07860
Distance from Trail Head: 16 miles, 35 mins
Website: http://www.angryerik.com/
Food?: Bar snacks
Details: Outdoor seating, Dog friendly

Just a warning, this drive might take a long time despite being only 16 miles due to the rough road and winding state forest roads to get out of the woods. Just take it easy and enjoy the ride!

The husband and wife team of Heide and Erik started Angry Erik Brewing back in 2014. Originally the brewery was located about a mile away but demand soon outgrew the space. Now the brewery has a sprawling 7,000 sqft brewery and taproom right on the Paulinskill Rail Trail with a large outdoor biergarten. But the most striking thing about the taproom isn’t the size; it’s the viking iconography! The bar is set up to look like a viking long ship with a dragons head sprouting from the bow and a tail curling at the stern. Behind the bar a huge mast and sail reach toward the ceiling. It’s quite impressive! To further the viking theme, Angry Erik brews many traditional belgium style ales and some with unique twists. Our favorite of the night was the Leaf Erikson, a harvest amber ale with baking spices.

We really loved our visit to Angry Erik. I don’t think we’ve ever been to a place that was so welcoming, so ready to chat beer with us, and even willing to take some silly pictures of us. Big thanks to the team to Angry Erik! I hope we’ll be back someday!

Our Beer:

Midnight in Autumn – Stout – 6%
Leaf Erikson – Pumpkin Beer – 6.1%
Paulinskill Ale – Lemongrass Summer Ale – 6.8%
Ravol – Amber Ale – 6.8%

Smith’s Knob & New Trail Brewing Co.

October 7, 2023October 8, 2023hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Williamsport, PA

My first trip to Loyalsock State Forest took us to a beautiful but strenuous hike to Smith’s Knob Vista. The steep rocky ascent pays off for a beautiful view of Loyalsock creek and the surrounding valley. Definitely bring your trekking poles for this one! Afterward, drive back into Williamsport for a pint at the enormous New Trail Brewing, which is all about spending quality time outdoors and making great beer.

THE HIKE: Smith’s Knob via Loyalsock Trail

Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1312 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Time: 2.5 hours
Trail use: Hiking, trail running, leashed pets
Parking: Large lot at trailhead

Background

This day hike gives you just a taste of the 59 mile backpacking trail through Loyalsock State Forest. The trail, established in 1951, is a challenging trek through rugged terrain. It’s maintained by the Alpine Club of Williamsport which has a guide to the trail available for purchase on their website. If you’re interested in the backpacking trail, Endless Mountains has an excellent guide on their website.

Loyalsock State forest is one of the 20 state forests in the state of Pennsylvania. It spans over 114,000 acres across Bradford, Sullivan and Lycoming counties. It makes up part of the Endless Mountain region and is made up mostly of hardwood forests. It’s named for the scenic Loyalsock creek that runs through the center of the forest.

There’s more than 200 miles of hiking in the Loyalsock State forest but the most popular is probably the backpacking trail. Thankfully, there are several parking access points so it’s also accessible for day hikes!

The Hike

Parking: 41.3566320056887, -76.85942897194258

The day hike to Smith’s Knob starts near the Western terminus of the Loyalsock Trail. The parking lot can be found on Little Bear Creek Road, access off Route 87 just north of Williamsport. Little Bear Creek Road is quite narrow and not paved, so a car with a higher suspension is recommended. My little Honda Fit would not have made this trail! The parking lot is very large but there are no bathroom facilities so plan accordingly.

The trailhead can be found across the gravel road and is clearly marked with a “Loyalsock Trail” signpost. Throughout this hike, the trail is noted by small metal discs on trees with a red LT emblazoned on a yellow background. The trail ascends up a hillside and quickly encounters a clearing with a large industrial garage, likely for forestry equipment. Bear to the left and meet up with the trail again. The first mile or so is by far the most difficult hiking we’ve done in a while. We took many breaks and needed lots of water and fuel. And of course a pair of trail runners zoomed by us to really put us in our place! After about 0.5 miles of steady incline, you’ll reach the first of many viewpoints. This charming vista is known as Helen’s window and while not the most impressive view, it’s still a nice spot to catch your breath.

Continuing onward for another half mile brings you to a trail intersection. Stay straight on the Loyalsock Trail but note that the trail you’re crossing over is the Smith’s Bypass trail and it’s the one you’ll eventually be coming back along. Now comes the steepest and most difficult part of the trail. The last ascent to the Knob is incredibly rocky and there is no shame in needing all four limbs to get yourself up there! When you finally ascend to the top and catch your breath, there are a couple viewpoints. To the right is a grassy area that is lovely for a quick rest. The views aren’t spectacular but the grass is delightful to rest in. From there, a bit further along the trail is a large campsite used by backpackers. Just past the trail to the left is the Smith’s Knob overlook and it is by far one of my favorite vistas that we’ve encountered. I’m not sure if it was having the place to ourselves or the sheer effort it took to get there, but this place just really got to me. We stayed here for a while enjoying the view of the creek below and shockingly being able to hear a children’s soccer game somewhere in the distance.

From the overlook, continue along the LT as it descends from the Knob. Once again, it can get pretty steep so take your time! I definitely am known to go down steep sections on my butt. A tried and true technique! From here, the next mile is a lovely peaceful trek through soaring trees. We didn’t see another person the whole time! Eventually the trail meets up with the bypass trail and you’ll leave the Loyalsock trail. Be aware that the bypass trail is marked with a yellow circle and a red X. I didn’t know this before going and was worried that we weren’t supposed to be on the trail! But never fear this is the way to complete the loop back. This trail is much wider and flat, more like a rustic road. Because of this there are more sunny spots and it can get quite warm. Following the red x’s will bring you back to the intersection with the Loyalsock trail. Take the left turn to head back to the parking lot!

THE BEER: New Trail Brewing Company

Address: 240 Arch St building 18, Williamsport, PA 17701
Distance from Trail Head: 27 mins, 19 miles
Website: http://www.newtrailbrewing.com/
Food?: Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor seating, dog friendly

New Trail brewing company is pretty much the perfect brewery to pair with a hike because of their strong dedication to the outdoors. All of the original founders are avid outdoorspeople and established the brewery in order to make good beer and get people outdoors! New Trail Brewing is located in Williamsport, which is an access point for so many of PA’s fantastic state parks and forests. In fact, New Trail brewing has frequently worked with and supported conservation and trail organizations across PA. I love seeing breweries doing the good work!

From the hiking boot print in their logo to the enormous map of the state forests surrounding WIlliamsport, I loved how much of this brewery was dedicated to the great outdoors. You can tell how much the owners care about their town and introducing people to the great outdoors. It also helps that the beer is pretty dang good too! In fact, New Trail has been working with the PA Parks and Forests foundation to put out a series of PA State Park themed beers which is not only super cool but proceeds are also going right back into the parks. I hope to see more partnerships like this with breweries across PA and beyond!