ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST
CONFLUENCE AND YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER VALLEY
Approximately 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh The small town of Confluence was named for its location at the junction of the Casselman River, Laurel Hill Creek, and the Youghiogheny River. Tucked into the Laurel Highlands, this charming town is the perfect place to start a peaceful fall drive.
One of the area’ s greatest assets is access to the Great Allegheny Passage( GAP), which cuts right through Confluence. This 150-mile non-motorized passageway stretches from Cumberland, Maryland, all the way to Point State Park in Pittsburgh. A favorite outdoor recreation path for hikers and cyclists, the trail is wide and level, making it a good place to park the car and explore the fall scenery on foot. Stroll under a canopy of hardwood forest, marveling at the colorful display of nature. Cross the pedestrian bridge spanning the Youghiogheny River for some stunning photo ops.
If you’ re up for hiking a bit farther, you’ ll be rewarded with one of the best views in the Laurel Highlands. Near the Confluence GAP trailhead, a signed path leads you to the Joshua C. Whetzel Jr. Memorial Recreation Area trailhead. A well-marked half-mile dirt path climbs through the forest to a small observation area overlooking Confluence, the Great Allegheny Passage, Casselman River and the Youghiogheny River. The view encompasses miles of forest, rivers and farmland woven together in a rich tapestry of color.
For the next leg of the drive, turn right on Route 281 South, leaving Confluence. About half a mile down the road you’ ll see the entrance for Youghiogheny River Lake Recreation Area / U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on the left. Turn onto Flanigan Road and follow the signs to the dam overlook and picnic area. Enjoy the pristine lake views atop the 184-foot dam, a peaceful spot to conclude your autumn drive.
MOUNT DAVIS AND FORBES STATE FOREST
Approximately 2 hours from Pittsburgh
This drive takes you into another corner of the Laurel Highlands and some of the highest elevations in Pennsylvania. Elevated areas reach their peak fall color before the valleys, so it’ s an ideal adventure for early October. Although
MOUNT DAVIS
Forbes State Forest is about a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh, the journey will be rewarded with spectacular mountain views and dense hardwood forests painted in vibrant colors.
Begin on Mount Davis Road, which winds through the forest to Pennsylvania’ s highest point, Mount Davis, at 3,213 feet above sea level. Follow signs for the observation tower and take a short walk from the gravel parking lot. Climb several flights of metal stairs to enjoy panoramic views that stretch for miles.
Take the short drive to Baughman Rocks( not to be confused with Baughman Rock Overlook in Ohiopyle). Just a mile from the tower, a short trail to the rocks is flanked by mountain laurel, the official state plant of Pennsylvania. There is an observation deck, but the foliage has filled in so much since its creation that the view is obstructed by the forest. The rocks themselves are massive sandstone boulders separated by deep crevices, so watch your step.
Continue to South Wolf Rock Road, which winds peacefully through Forbes State Forest until you reach High Point Lake Overlook. A viewing platform offers a stunning vista of this mountain lake, with calm waters reflecting the brightly colored foliage.
If you’ re not yet ready to head home, explore the network of rural roads surrounding Forbes State Forest, where scenic farmland and forested hillsides provide even more opportunities for leaf peeping. n
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