This route follows a long trail section of the North Country Trail that runs through two state parks: Moraine State Park and McConnell's Mill State Park. The area is historically known for its glacial activity as well as more recent strip mining, oil drilling, and formation of Lake Arthur. The entire trail follows the blue blazes of the NCT.
The route starts near the Old Stone House, located on Route 8 in Slippery Rock. Built in 1822, The Old Stone House is famously known for its visit from George Washington as he traveled from Virginia in 1753. The route travels near Foltz School House and the Jennings Passive Treatment Exhibit. After crossing south over Route 8, the trail continues through Jennings Environmental Center and into Moraine State Park. The trail goes southward until it intersects Route 528 and runs west, crossing Mt. Union Road, to Moraine Bike Rental. A gravel path connects the Bike Rental to the entrance at the Boat Launch. More trails continue near the dam and under Route 422 until reaching the State Park boundary line. The route now goes along Burnside Road, across Route 19, to Johnson Road, finishing at the Alpha Pass Trailhead in McConnell's Mill State Park. The route runs south to the mill, crosses the old covered bridge, and winds along the western bank of the Slippery Rock Creek. At Hell Run, the trail splits away from the Creek until it terminates at Hell's Hollow Trailhead.
History of the area: http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1752514&DocName=TG16-004_GeoGuide_MoraineSP-McConnellsMillSP.pdf#
Comments
My husband Tim and I are SUPER excited to give this a go tomorrow!!!! Our plan is to do the full out and back as an unsupported team. We’ll see how it goes!!