Hey everyone!

I’m looking for recommendations on where to go skiing for the first time. We’re based in Philadelphia and planning a day trip—leaving around 5-6 a.m. and returning by 10 p.m. Ideally, we’d like somewhere within a 2-3 hour drive. 🎿

Here are some details:

None of us (4 adults and a 10-year-old girl) have ever skied before.

We’re looking for beginner-friendly slopes and maybe lessons if possible.

Affordable options would be great—nothing too fancy or overpriced.

Bonus points for a place with other fun things to explore when we take a break from skiing.

We want to make the most of the day but don’t want the travel time to cut into it too much. Any suggestions or advice would be super helpful! Thanks in advance.

We are 45 minutes from pittsburgh (latrobe) but willing to travel just about anywhere!

I just bailed today after 50mi CCW from Parker Dam. It was rough in the leaves and unending rocks. Especially the hidden rocks under the leaves! It became clear I was not going to be able to try to finish in the predicted snow tomorrow. The trail wanted to hurt me so badly and I finally twisted my ankle hard enough that I walked out to the Quehanna Hwy and called a ride back to my car.

AMA about current conditions or any other details.

Hey all,

As we move into winter, we move into snow season for most of PA. I'm from Pittsburgh, but recreate in the Wilds and tri state area regularly. Usually snow shoeing or winter backing.

I really enjoy the Laurel Highlands this time of year, especially when there's a big snow. One of the most useful sources I've found for getting up to date condition reports, snow depth, etc. is the Pennsylvania Cross Country Skiers Association website, especially their trail cams and condition reports.

I was wondering if anyone had any good resources like this that gave up to date, accurate and clear information about places in the Wilds. Another source I've found is the DCNR snowmobile reports, but I've had less luck with these.

Anyone have any other tried and true winter condition sources they use for the Wilds or elsewhere?

Hi guys, I’m planning a trip in the Pine Creek area in a few weeks, and I was consulting exploring Wolf Run. Does anyone have any good intel on the trails there? I know there are many un-blazed trails in various states. Wasn’t sure which washes are hikeable?

My memory is a bit scratchy but When I was much younger, like 40 years ago, I used to camp at a place called, as I recall, Hidden Valley campground. It was located in the PA wilds as I recall, Near Worlds End State park. It was on the Loyalsock creek, I remember fishing the creek when we were there.

Does anyone remember it? Where it was? Know what happened to it?

I'm looking to do a trip mid December. I will bail of there is significant snow or temps steadily below 20 for the whole day. I understand this puts me out there at the end of deer rifle season. I've never done OLP, I have done AFT a few times but that was a long time ago. Thoughts or suggestions on which I should head to?

Myself and a few friends are interested in going to loyalsock soon for a weekend trip and I was wondering what the best route for hiking and camping along the way would be. I’ve read online so far that the entire one trail takes at least around 3 days so I was wondering if anyone knew a way to fit the most into one weekend, arriving on Saturday morning and leaving Sunday evening. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I did a Pinnacle hike last winter with some friends where we got a house, woke up early and hiked up to see the sunrise. Would like to do it again this year but looking for other options for some variety. Ideally within 2 hour drive of Philly. Any ideas?

Anyone familiar with MT Tom, steep climb, extreme? I have trail running sneakers, but to add this and others I’m figuring on boots with excellent grip and poles. Any suggestions please. I want to stop sliding on my backside, like when I ran Eves Run trail months ago.

Me and the boys are going backpacking in the next two weeks and we need a good place to go. I am the only person in the group with any previous backpacking experience so it's my job to plan the trip out. I've looked at a few spots allready but nothing seems like it would be right. As this will be the first time they are going backpacking I want to take them somewhere impressive. I'm looking for something around 10 miles that that doesn't get too crowded. It would be ideal to have a campsite to ourselves(there's 5 of us). We plan on hiking 1-2 miles on the first day, the second day hiking 5-6 miles, and anything that's left on the third. We're all located in Wilmington Delaware and none of us have an issue with driving long distances. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated Thank You!

Hi friends! For Thanksgiving my partner and I are flying into Cleveland and driving to Pittsburgh to see his family. We’re looking for a good place to camp between Cleveland and Pittsburgh (probably closer to Cleveland for time’s sake). Off the beaten path is GREAT, we prefer somewhere quiet, but will have a car with us. Campgrounds are fine, but non-camp grounds are also doable.

Any suggestions?

Hello!

I live in philly and have been wanting to get out and explore Allegheny, as well as the surrounding area. I really want to do some shooting/small game hunting as well as some bush craft practice. Is this a bad time of year to be out in the backcountry out there with deer season?

I know hunters have a limited window to hunt each year so I really don't wanna piss anyone off

I found a certain wildlife area in pa, and was wondering what activities are exactly allowed there? The specific one I'm talking about doesn't even have a website. All I know is the road to the park was made by the army corps of engineers, and that it is a Pennsylvania wildlife area, all by itself, not connected to any other parks.

Bear Mountain Overlook outside of Jim Thorpe

Hello Out Door Enthusiasts,

My wife and I would like to hike the Laurel Highlands Trail with our dog in Summer 2025. What recommendations can anyone offer for a shuttle service from Ohiopyle to the northern trailhead?

What is the best resource as a guide to the trail? I have purchased 2 trail guides, both of which are well over a decade old?

For hikers of modest ability, how many days do you recommend that we prepare to be on the trail?

Where can one replenish supplies, obtain water, and recharge cellular devices along the way?

Many thanks for any serious suggestions!

Long Run

After debating between a few options, I’ve decided to hike the Quehanna Trail at the end of this month. It’s one that I’ve looked at for a long time, but I never made it a point to hike it. I would typically hike a trail like this in 4 days, but I have extra time, and I would like to spend that time enjoying the area as much as possible and maybe hiking a little slower than I typically do. I have a few questions about the trail, the logistics, and the surrounding areas.

1. Is the Moshannon-Quehanna Purple Lizard map worth buying for this trail? I have the Rothrock one and have been very happy with it.

2. I’ve read some about the history of the area. Are there accessible landmarks, ruins, or other places of interest from the area nuclear or jet propulsion research conducted in the area? Especially any that are accessible by foot from the trail? Any other places of interest worth a side trip? I do not mind extensive detours on this trip.

3. Does anyone have a recent water report? I know it’s the time of year where the runs in the Wilds get drier, but glancing over the map, it looks like the trail follows and crosses several major streams.

Thanks in advance.

South Pennsylvania and even Maryland/Delaware preferred to stay off the cold.

Trying to find really nice winter scenes with toilets and ideally warm showers. Would love suggestions. Thanks :)

Does PA have any good spots for camping in caves?

Is there a map you can order online? Want to do this next spring.

Looking for some opinions on which area is better for harder hikes. Thanks!

I'm going to be in State College and wanted to do a gravel ride Saturday before the football game. Tram road looks good on paper. Can you ride under 80 and explore further north?

Is it a fairly good option? I want to stay north of state college due to where we are staying and don't want to do a ton of elevation or technical single track.

Hello! I'm putting another feeler out for a shuttle from World's End SP to the western end of the Loyalsock Trail on Sunday, Nov 24. I plan on driving up from Phiily and getting a hotel the night before, so I'll be ready to go in the morning. I'll leave my car at World's End and use it as a resupply point to complete the rest of the LT and Link trail. Any shuttles available for hire? The couple leads I had fizzled.