Keystone SP & Yellow Bridge Brewing

August 4, 2024June 4, 2025hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Delmont, PA

Looking for a day trip less than an hour from Pittsburgh? Look no further than Keystone State Park. This Laurel Highlands gem has a lake beach, hiking trails, kayak & SUP rentals, fishing, and more! You can even turn it into a weekend trip by renting a campsite or yurt. After a day at the lake, visit Yellow Bridge Brewing for a brew in the quaint taproom.

THE HIKE: Davis Run, McCune, and Lakeside Loop

Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 393 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 2 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets
Parking: large lot at beach

The 1,200 acre Keystone State Park is the perfect day trip or weekend destination. The centerpiece is the large Keystone Lake that’s open for various water activities, including swimming, fishing, and boating. There are also 8-miles of trail ranging from easy to more moderately difficult.

It’s hard to believe while enjoying the beauty of Keystone State Park, but the waters actually have their origins in the former bustling steel industry of southwestern PA. The Keystone Coal and Coke company dammed the meeting of the Davis and McCune runs to create a lake that would supply water to their coke ovens. In 1945, the Keystone Company sold the area to the state which sealed off the mines. Today the park is a beautiful spot for recreation.

Where to Park: There are several large parking lots at Keystone but not all of them are connected. For this hike, park at the Beach parking lot for access to the trailhead. If renting kayaks or only doing the Lake Loop, park at the lot off Slag Road. *As of July 2024, there is not access within the park from the beach to the boat launch. You must go outside of the park to access Slag Road.

The Route: This route combines several of the trails for a 5-mile loop that includes wetlands and ends around the lake. From the beach parking lot, head toward Keystone Park Road. You’ll start out on the Davis Run trail which actually begins across the street, opposite from the lake. The road is not very busy but still cross with care. Get on the Davis Run Trail marked with blue diamonds. Our route combines the Davis Run Trail (blue diamond), McCune Trail (yellow diamond), and Strawcutter Trail (green diamond) for just under three miles before crossing back over the road. These trails are intersecting so there’s plenty of opportunity to lengthen or shorten your outing. During the first half of the hike, you’ll pass by marshes so keep an eye for wetland species like skunk cabbage in the early spring. The trails abound with ephemeral wildflowers in the early spring. These trails also loop through hardwood forests and then through tall pine trees. At the end of the wetland loop, cross back over the road to complete the 2 miles Lakeside Loop (no blaze). The section around the lake is a wide flat path that is a great option for strollers or those with mobility issues. Add on the 0.3-mile Pine Trail (no blaze) for a short trek off the Lakeside loop into the towering pines. The Lakeside Loop also passes by the lakeside campground and then crosses the dam. To the right is the boat launch and kayak rental. Cross through the parking lot to pick up the trail again. Along the north side of the lake, you’ll pass by several pavilions and picnic tables which are perfect for a post-hike snack. Complete your hike by following the trail back to the beach parking area.

THE BEER: Yellow Bridge Brewing

Address: 2266 PA-66, Delmont, PA 15626
Distance from Trail Head: 12 miles, 17 mins
Website: https://yellowbridgebrewing.com/
Food?: in-house Pizza
Details: Indoor seating, bar games

Yellow Bridge Brewing opened in 2016 by two brothers who decided to take their homebrewing to the next level. Today, there are two locations: Delmont and Greensburg. You can usually find a range of 10 homemade brews on tap along with local wines and ciders. Yellow Bridge has a main line up of 6 core beers that are made pretty consistantly and then peppers in more unique seasonal and one-off barrels. The original Delmont location is off PS-66 which can make the parking lot a wee bit difficult to get into but trust me it’s worth it! The inside is a wide open with tables and the bar on one side and the other open to the brewing equipment.

I’m not usually one for the heavy IPAs but Sebastian, the Double IPA was definitely a favorite. It was smooth with a tropical aroma and went down a little too easy for 8%! Thankfully the in-house pizza menu has some tasty offerings.

Our Beer:

Sebastian – Double IPA – 8%
London Porter – Porter – 5%
Little Dude – 5.4%
YB Lager – 4.8%

Settler’s Cabin & Altered Genius Trailside

March 24, 2024hikesandhopsblog 4 Comments

Imperial, PA

Head out to Settler’s Cabin park, one of the nine Allegheny County Parks, for a Springtime hike! See the modest waterfall, hike through freshly emerging wildflowers, and enjoy meandering through hemlock and pine groves. This park is beautiful all year round but is particularly lovely in the early spring. Afterward, check out Altered Genius’ new Trailside taproom right along the Montour Trail in Imperial!

THE HIKE: Settler’s Cabin South Loop

Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5 hours
Trail use: Biking, hiking, leashed pets
Parking: Park at Tomahawk Shelter

Settler’s Cabin Park is one of the many parks managed and maintained by Allegheny County. The large park boasts not only miles of wooded trail, but also large pavilions, a wave pool, playgrounds, tennis courts, and a hockey rink. There really is something for everyone! I grew up going to this park for birthday and graduation parties, but never knew that there were so many trails here too!

The park gets its name from a historic log cabin located onsite which archaeologists helped to date to 1780. The various pavilions are also named for the Native peoples that once lived in this area including the Algonquian, Seneca, Cayuga, and Chippewa. Prior to the land being purchased by the County in 1971, this area was an active coal mine. Thankfully, efforts are continually being made to reclaim and reforest the area, as well as to mitigate some of the residual mine drainage in some of the creeks. Because of its history, the land can support a unique variety of native flora in its more acidic soil. Settler’s Cabin is particularly known for its beautiful displays of wildflowers in the Spring and Fall.

There’s over 10 miles of trails at this park but we chose to stick with a smaller loop that included the waterfall (my favorite spot) and a new section of the red trail that we hadn’t tackled before. This time of year, there were tiny flowers poking through the ground on a sunny March afternoon.

Settler’s Cabin is a fairly large park, so I’d recommend having a route picked out from AllTrails or use the County Park’s app to follow the trails as you can easily end up making it further away than expected. On this trek, I wanted to see where the planned connector to the Panhandle rail trail will be at the southwestern corner of the park. Eventually this connector trail will allow access from the park to South Park and all the way to the Great Allegheny Passage!

Where to park: This hike starts at the Tomahawk shelter where there is a large parking lot and portapotty. If there’s an event here, you can also park at the nearby playground or the dog park.

The Route: From the Tomahawk shelter, the trail starts at the tree line where there is a kiosk with a map and trail alerts. Head into the woods on the blue trail. The trail goes downhill through hemlock trees, then turn left where the blue trail splits from the red. Stay on the blue trail for about a half mile. Then follow the trail signs for the Green/Waterfall Trail. This trail is a wide, well maintained path that switchbacks down the hillside. The trail lets out at a small creek and there is a spur trail to the right to see the waterfall. This waterfall is only 4-ft and is by no means the most impressive falls in western PA but it’s still worth a visit and is a great place to sit and enjoy nature. From here, follow along the Green trail as it meanders along the creek bed. This is a prime section for spotting wildflowers! Just over a mile, the Green Trail turns right and heads up a steep section of hillside. This is the steepest hill that you’ll climb on the Trek. At the top of the hill, turn left onto the Red trail to continue along the quieter southern portion of the park. At about 2.3 miles, there is a trail intersection where heading to the left continues along the Red Trail and crosses over the paved Panhandle connector. Instead, turn right and get on the Yellow Trail. Follow the yellow trail for about a half mile, then turn right on the wide gravel path. Alltrails labels this as the purple trail but we didn’t see any blazes. Continue slightly uphill on this path until it intersections with another portion of the red trail. Turn left and continue along the Red Trail until it meets back up with the Blue Trail and the Tomahawk Shelter parking lot.

THE BEER: Altered Genius Trailside

Address: 258 Main St, Imperial, PA 15126
Distance from Trail Head: 14 mins, 6.3 miles
Website: www.alteredgeniusbrewing.com
Food?: BYOF, Food Trucks
Details: Outdoor seating, Potentially dog friendly outside

Altered Genius has been crafting unique beers and delicious foods in Ambridge since 2020. The owners may have opened their business during a difficult time but managed to quickly find a loyal following in the Ambridge community. Owners and brewers Donnie and Mike began homebrewing roughly 10 years while they were both working in alternative education. When they shifted to opening a brewery full time, it was a no-brainer that the brewery’s name had to give a nod to their past careers: hence Altered Genius.

The Ambridge brewery has been so successful that the owners knew it was time to bring their beer across the river. Their second location, called Altered Genius Trailside, opened in March 2024 along Main Street in Imperial. The best part? It’s right on the Montour Trail! This spacious taproom offers all the usual AG favorites, as well as cider from A Few Bad Apples. There’s no kitchen here, but expect a regular round of food trucks. I can’t wait to come back sit on the back patio, it looked like the perfect Sunday afternoon spot.

Our Beer:

Prim – German Pilsner – 5.1%
Umbrella in a Brainstorm – Saison – 4.7%
Lady Red Hair – Red IPA – 6.8%
Stephens Island – Irish Stout – 5%

Looking for more Hikes & Hops west of the city? Check out: Raccoon Creek State Park & Fermata Brewing, Robin Hill & Cobblehaus, and Montour Woods & Abjuration

Skippack Creek Loop & Trouble’s End Brewing

March 10, 2024hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Collegeville, PA

Evansburg State Park is a small state park along the Skippack Creek in Southeastern PA. The full Skippack Creek Loop Trail takes you around the whole park, along the creek’s edge and up along a ridge. Although it was pretty muddy when we visited, this seems like it would be a great place to visit in the drier summer months!

THE HIKE: Skippack Creek Trail

Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 262 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hours
Trail use: Hiking, Mountain biking, Horseback riding,
Parking: Small lot at trailhead

Find the Parking Lot: Park at Pavilion A off Mayhill Road. Use 40.1980458, -75.4042884 to find the trailhead

Evansburg State Park encompasses 3,300 acres of green space in Montgomery County, PA. Its main feature is the Skippack Creek, making it a popular spot for fishing. There are 26 miles of trails for hikers, some of which are also open for mountain biking and horseback riding. In the winter, you can still get out on the trails for cross-country skiing.

History

This area was once the land of the Delaware or Lenni Lenape people. Their society spanned most of modern day New Jersey into the PA Lehigh Valley and up to the New York Catskills. Sadly, their matrilineal clans were greatly impacted by European diseases by the time William Penn made his 1684 “purchase” of the American province that would become Pennsylvania. Although WIlliam Penn, a Quaker who founding PA for religious freedom, approached the Lenni Lenape people with peace treaties and payment for their land, his descendents were not so peaceful. In the early 1700s many Lenni Lenape were forcibly removed from their lands in eastern Pennsylvania.

As the population of Philadelphia exploded in the 1700s, the surrounding area also began to grow to support trade and industry. The Skippack Creek valley was connected to the main city by the construction of the Skippack Pike and the 8-arch bridge over the creek. Built in 1792, this bridge still exists today and is one of the oldest continuously used bridges in the state.

The land surrounding the modern state park was once home to German Mennonite families seeking religious freedom in Penn’s new colony. They used the waters of the Skippack to power their mills and remnants of these buildings can still be seen along the creek today.

The Hike

The Skippack Creek Loop is a fairly easy 5 miles loop around the park with only a few difficult uphill sections and two portions on the road. Although you can park at various places through the park to access the point, we parked at Pavilion A where there was sufficient parking and bathroom facilities.

From the parking lot, head down the gravel road until you reach the rounded turn around spot. The trail starts to the left and is marked by yellow blazes with a sign for Skippack Creek Loop. We choose to go clockwise (turning to the left to begin) and this is probably the way I would suggest to begin.

Immediately you’ll head downhill on a single track direct path towards the creekside. Along this route, you’ll cross over several small bridges and the way may be muddy. Continuing along, notice interpretive signs about the geology and wildlife of the area. You’ll stay on the Skippack Loop the whole time so ignore the signs for the Farmstead.

After the trail reaches the river, it gets slightly confusing with horseriders and hiking having created a meandering crisscross of trails. They all lead generally the main directions and following alongside the creek will send you on the right path. About a mile in the hike, there is a stream crossing that could be easy in the summer but in the spring was pretty wide and slightly difficult to cross. We managed to make a couple wide leaps to stones without getting feet wet but this one might be hard for little legs.

Eventually the trail emerges onto Kratz road and you will turn right to cross the bridge along the shoulder. Be very careful as this is an active road. On the other side of the bridge is another parking area for the trail. The route begins around at the back right corner of the parking lot and heads into a field before descending back into the woods. This side of the creek is much hillier as the trail travels along a ridge overlooking the creek. You’ll also pass by some ruins along the creek which may have been an old gristmill.

Finally the trail lets out onto Water Street Road which you’ll follow for about 0.5 miles. Although this is a quiet street, this was my least favorite part of the hike because there is no sidewalk and only a narrow median before the guardrail. Finally you’ll reach a pedestrian bridge to the right and use it to cross over the creek. Turn to the right to get back on the Skippack Creek Trail and finish the loop.

PA Park Passport: Sticker at kiosk outside the Park Main Office

THE BEER: Trouble’s End Brewing

Address: 50 W Third Ave STE 310, Collegeville, PA 19426
Distance from Trail Head: 3.6 miles, 11 mins
Website: www.troublesendbrewing.com/
Food?: Full Menu
Details: Summer beer garden, no pets, live music

Tucked in the small town of Collegeville, just shy of 4 miles from the state park is Troubles End Brewpub. Located on the top floor of an old industrial building, this pub has some of the coolest vibes I’ve seen. The rustic beams lend to a farmhouse style, but the brightly painted furniture and strings of multicolor lights bring a sense of whimsy. Whimsy is definitely a way to describe their robust beer menu. Full of unique takes on classic styles, you can’t help but notice the interesting tasting notes. While I’m not exactly sure how my porter tasted like “one single piece of salted licorice in a wool coat pocket”, they definitely get an A+ for creativity!

While we didn’t have any food at the pub, they had a delicious sounding menu of gastropub favorites as well as a more upscale entrée list that included wild boar meatloaf and crab cakes. Tucked into the corner of the large space was a stage complete with a flower studded piano. Clearly this brewpub knows how to jam! Check out their events calendar on their website for upcoming shows

Our Beer:

Conductor – Porter – 5%
Fallen Branches – Wheat – 4.7%
The Editor – ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
Tutto Pils – Italian Pilsner

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail 31-29 & Forbes Trail Brewing

January 7, 2024hikesandhopsblog 1 Comment

Laurel Highlands, PA

We had a snowy first day hike on the Laurel Highlands Hiking trail! Despite how many times I’ve been hiking in the LH region, this is actually my first time on the 70 miles LHHT. While this short section didn’t have any major views or points of interest, it was incredibly peaceful walking through woods blanketed in fresh snow. After our group hike, we moseyed out to Forbes Trail Brewing in Stoystown for some delicious brews in a cozy taproom.

THE HIKE: Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (31-29)

Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hours (due to snow)
Trail use: Foot traffic only
Parking: Space for about 30 cars at the Route 31 parking area. No facilities

Find the Parking lot: 40.06082620624829, -79.27375174542976. Turn right off Route 31 onto Fire Tower route, there will be a sign for Forbes State Forest and Laurel Ridge State Park. The parking lot will be on the left just under a mile down the road. Be aware that this road is unpaved and likely won’t be maintained in the winter.

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail

The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) is a 70.3 mile backpacking trail in western pa that stretches from Ohiopyle to Seward. This trail is known for its incredible beauty but also its challenging and rugged terrain. If you’re considering a thru hike, be sure to check out Tory’s awesome guide at Mytrailsaremany.com. However, this is also a fantastic trail for section day hikes too! There are many trailheads and access points along the 70 miles to pop on for a few miles.

The LHHT is maintained by the PA DCNR and the majority of the trail runs through Laurel Ridge State Park. If you’re looking for a full map of the trail, check out the PA DCNR website.

The Hike

For this group first day, we met at the Route 31 parking lot for the LHHT. Interestingly, this was also near mile 31 of the trail! There were at least 50 people on this delightful hike led by Kim, an educator at Laurel Ridge SP.

Especially in the winter, it can be easy to lose your way on trails. Be sure to look for the yellow blazes on the trees. This trail also has a stone mile marker every mile so you’ll always know how far you’ve gone! Many sections of the LHHT, including this one, cross over roads from large ones to wooded access roads. Always look for a band of yellow on the trees that indicates a road crossing!

Remember, the LHHT is point to point trail so make sure you have a game plan of when to turn around and head back to your car!

THE BEER: Forbes Trail Brewing

Address: 6108 Lincoln Hwy, Stoystown, PA 15563
Distance from Trail Head: 36 mins, 25 miles
Website: http://www.forbestrailbrewing.com/
Food?: Food truck & BYOF
Details: Outdoor seating, pets outside

Forbes Trail Brewing opened on Lincoln Highway less than a mile from the Flight 93 memorial in 2022. One of the owners had been homebrewing for nearly a decade then working professionally as a brewer, before his dream of opening a taproom became a reality! Along with his wife and former homebrew supporters turned business partners, Forbes Trail Brewing has quickly become a staple in the Laurel Highlands region. Although it was cold and snowy when we visited, I was impressed with the huge outdoor space complete with firepits that complemented the cozy indoor taproom. We popped at a seat at the bar and instantly felt like part of a family as the owners and other drinkers looped us right into their conversation. Although it’s a bit of a drive from the Burgh I cannot recommend this brewery enough and I know we will definitely be back!

A fun history fact: the brewery’s name refers to the early road that linked forts Duquesne, Ligonier, and Bedford during the French and Indian War. This road was pioneered by British General John Forbes and eventually became the Lincoln Highway (Route 30).

Our Beer:

Taste the Rainbow – Sour – 5%
Haze Lawdy Mama – NEIPA – 6.5%
Edmunds Swamp: Peppermint – Oatmeal Stout – 5%
Trail Rider Pale Ale – Pale Ale – 6%

Loving the Laurel Highlands craft beverages? Be sure to get a Pour Tour Passport from the GO Laurel Highlands!

Looking for more hikes & hops in the Laurel Highlands? Check out Wolf Rocks & Helltown, Ohiopyle & Yough River , Duff Park & Devout, Powdermill Nature Reserve & Four Seasons, and Linn Run & Unity Brewing .

PA Grand Canyon & Wellsboro House

November 26, 2023hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Wellsboro, PA

The Pine Creek Gorge is one of the best places in the state for stunning vistas, especially in the fall! Also known as the PA Grand Canyon, Leonard Harrision State Park is one of the best places to view this beautiful natural area. The Turkey Path Trail switchbacks down the hillside from the overlook to Pine Creek for a unique experience of seeing both the top and bottom of the Gorge. This hike is difficult though so after your challenge, you’ve earned a beer at the Wellsboro House. This restaurant and brewery in the small town of Wellboro, packs charm and small-town hospitality into a surprisingly robust taplist and delicious kitchen menu.

THE HIKE: Leonard Harrison State Park: Turkey Path

Length: 3 miles
Elevation Gain: 958 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Trail use: Hiking, leashed pets
Parking: Large lot at park office, facilities
H&H: 5/5

One of the must see areas in the state is the PA Grand Canyon. This deep gorge was carved out by a 47-mile section of Pine Creek. Several areas have been preserved as National Natural Landmarks, including the section encompassed by Leonard Harrison State Park. This park covered over 500 acres on the east side of the rim, with Colton State Park on the west side.

The canyon has long been an important spot for the region. In prehistoric times, it was used as a major travel route, much of which followed the same path as the modern Pine Creek Rail Trail. A logging boom led to the settling of the area where the creek was used to transport the felled trees. Later, train tracks replaced the old Native American paths along the creek and transported millions of tons of cargo along the rail lines. Like many areas in the state, this industry caused mass deforestation and a huge loss of habitat. It took many years before the deciduous forest began to recover and nature species like elk, otters, bald eagles, and beavers returned to the area. The park is named for businessman Leonard Harrison who built a career in the logging industry, but then protected the overlook areas of the gorge and eventually donated the land to the state in the 1920s for the building of a state park.

The park underwent renovations in 2023 and now sports a new visitor center. This hike starts with a steep trek along steps and natural paths down into the gorge to view waterfalls and get up close to Pine Creek. Afterward, be prepared for a heart pumping hike back up the hillside. From there, it’s an easy one mile loop to view the stunning overlook that peers deep down into the gorge.

THE BEER: Wellsboro House Restaurant & Brewery

Address: 34 Charleston St, Wellsboro, PA 16901
Distance from Trail Head: 11 miles, 19 mins
Website: http://thewellsborohouse.com/
Food?: Full Kitchen
Details: Indoor and outdoor seating

The owners at Wellsboro House opened their popular restaurant back in 2008 after lovingly restoring the 1862 building it is housed in. Then in 2013, they began adding house- brewed beer to their menu, officially becoming the Wellsboro House Restaurant & Brewery. Demand quickly forced them to grow their operations and now they brew in a historic train depot just across the street from the main restaurant. This is fitting as Wellsboro has a long connection to the

A visit wouldn’t be complete without a taste of Dan Smith’s Chocolate Stout, made with real chocolates from the popular Dan Smith’s Chocolates in Brookeville, PA.