Meet at  8:30am Laurel Hill SP Parking lot near Boat Ramp

Leader: Georgia Shalek, gshalek@gmail.com, 724- 887-9210 / Vicky Bromyard, vbromyard@gmail.com, 724-221-4893

Directions: From the Donegal Turnpike Exit, travel east on Route 31 for 14 miles and turn right onto Trent Road.  Go about 2 miles to the main park entrance on your right. Follow Laurel Hill Park Rd to Boat Ramp Parking lot (first left immediately after bridge). The address is 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501-5629

Description: We will explore one of the only old-growth hemlock forests in the region along Laurel Hill State Park’s Hemlock Trail. This trail parallels the scenic Laurel Hill Creek upstream of the lake and passes through a diverse flora community. This loop trail has several steep and occasionally slippery sections, but depending on conditions we may opt for an out-and-back focusing on the hemlock grove. In addition, we can explore the lakeside habitat via the Copper Kettle Trail for more species diversity. Resident breeding birds like Scarlet Tanagers, Black-throated Green Warblers, Eastern Kingbirds, and Wood Thrush are expected, and the mountain laurel should be in bloom!