Bicycling on the "Great Allegheny Passage" in the Laurel Highlands
Program Number:
9947RJ
Start and End Dates:
5/19/2013 - 5/23/2013
;
8/25/2013 - 8/29/2013
;
Duration:
4 nights
Location:
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania
Price starting at:
$668.00 -
Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type:
Bicycling
Activity Level:
n (
see description
)
Meals:
12; 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Meal Options:
Vegetarian; Gluten Free
Join us for a bicycling adventure on the first-completed 100 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage. Over the course of three days, cover the passage from Frostburg, Md., to West Newton, Pa., learning about the history along the trail and enjoying the breathtaking beauty of your natural surroundings.
Highlights
• Bike the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-rail trail through the varied landscape of the Laurel Highlands.
• Experience unique riding experiences such as bridges over the Yough River, the 1,000-foot Keystone Viaduct and the amazing Big Savage Tunnel.
• Benefit from the local knowledge of Allegheny Trail Alliance founding member and nature photographer Paul Weigman.
Activity Particulars
Bicycling 30-40 miles a day on mostly level terrain at an average speed of 8 mph. Bring your own bike and helmet; limited rentals are available with advance notice.
Coordinated by Laurelville Mennonite Church Center.
Mount Pleasant
Located at the foot of the Laurel Mountains in southwestern Pennsylvania, this quaint community is at the center of the region's many recreational and scenic opportunities, including the limestone formations of Laurel Caverns, Ohiopyle State Park, and the Ohiopyle and Youghiogheny rivers.
Accommodations
Conference center on 240 forested acres in the Laurel Highlands. Each room has one queen bed and a set of bunk beds.
Meals and Lodgings
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Mount Pleasant, PA
4 nights
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Type:
Conference Center
Description:
Located on 600 forest acres in the Laurel Highlands, with Jacobs Creek bordering the property.
Contact info:
941 Laurelville Lane
Mount Pleasant, PA 15666-8908 USA
phone: 800-839-1021
web:
www.laurelville.org
Room amenities:
Private bath, small table and chair, dresser.
Facility amenities:
Private bath in each room with linens provided. Hospitality center available with beverages and snacks at all times. TV/VCR available in main meeting area. Piano is also available. Guest phone is available in the public area only. Laundry facilities available as well as an ice machine.
Smoking allowed:
No
Additional nights prior:
Call for prices/availability Please call for prices and availability.
Check in time:
5:00 PM
Additional nights after:
Call for prices/availability Please call for prices and availability.
Check out time:
2:30 PM
Travel Details
Start of Program:
5:00 pm Registration at Laurelville You will be staying at
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
that night.
End of Program:
12:30 pm Room Check-out You will be staying at
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
the night before.
Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
Parking availability:
No fees
Transportation
To Start of Program
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
Nearest city or town:
Mt. Pleasant
Nearest highway:
PA Route 982 and Route 31
Nearest airport:
Arnold Palmer Regional or Pittsburgh International
From End of Program
Location:
Mount Pleasant, PA
(
Additional transportation information same as above
)
Travel Details
Pittsburgh, PA
From Airport
Service:
Hotel Shuttle
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
phone: 800-839-1021
Advanced Reservations Required
Per Person/One Way:
$100
Prices are subject to change.
Travel Time:
1.5 hours
Distance:
70 miles
For those traveling from a distance, we are happy to help provide transportation to and from Laurelville. For your convenience, airport shuttle service is available at 3:30 pm the day of arrival and 1:00 pm the day of departure (in time for flights 4:00 pm and later) for a cost of $100 each way. The cost may be discounted based on the number of passengers. Please email program@laurelville.org to schedule your transportation. Other times can be arranged on an individual basis.
Driving Directions
Traveling from the East
From PA Turnpike take Exit 91 at Donegal and follow PA Route 31 west seven miles to the traffic light at PA Route 982. Turn right onto PA Route 982. Travel one-half mile to the Y-intersection. Turn right and drive one-quarter mile. Laurelville's entrance is on the right just before the bridge over Jacob's Creek. Participants will register in the Dining Hall lobby.
Traveling from the South
Take 119 north to the intersection of PA Route 982. Turn right onto PA 982 for about 8 miles to the intersection of PA Route 31. Continue straight through the light about 1/2 mile (on PA 982) to the Y-intersection. Turn right and drive one-quarter mile. Laurelville's entrance is on the right just before the bridge over Jacob's Creek. Participants will register in the Dining Hall lobby.
Traveling from the West
On PA Turnpike take Exit 75 at New Stanton and follow US 119 south five miles to the Mount Pleasant/Ruff Dale exit. Take PA Route 31 east through the town of Mount Pleasant and continue traveling east 4 miles to the traffic light intersection of PA Route 982. Turn left onto PA Route 982. Travel one-half mile to the Y-intersection. Turn right and drive one-quarter mile. Laurelville's entrance is on the right just before the bridge over Jacob's Creek. Participants will register in the Dining Hall lobby.
Elevation Note:
Highest elevation on our property is 1743.
Equipment Requirements:
Bicycle, helmet, rain gear, small bicycle repair kit, spare bicycle tire tube. Bicycle Note: Most bicycles will be fine on the trail which is for the most part surfaced with fine crushed limestone. Experienced riders tend to prefer a hybrid (cross between road and mountain bikes) as thin tires can sink into the trail surface and make the going slow. People with mountain bikes tend to prefer hybrid tires or conservative mountain bike tires with just a little tread in the center and lugs on the edges to handle mud. Barring the extreme tire widths, any bike will work just fine. Be sure the bicycle, particularly the saddle, is comfortable.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.
Daily Schedule
Day 1:
(Sunday, May 19)
Afternoon:
Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. at the conference center. Participants are welcome to come early and explore the trails, creek and waterfall that are part of the 600 wooded acres though rooms will not be ready until 5:00 p.m.
Dinner:
Buffet dinner in the dining hall.
Evening:
A brief orientation and introductions will be held in your lodging facility. Dessert will be served following the presentation.
Accommodations:
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Meals Included:
Dinner
Day 2:
(Monday, May 20)
Breakfast:
Breakfast in the dining hall
Morning:
After breakfast participants will be transported via charter bus to Frostburg, MD, the starting point of the trip. The morning ride of 16 miles will provide a number of highlights including the Mason Dixon Line, Big Savage Tunnel, and Keystone Viaduct.
Lunch:
The group will take a rest at the Deal trail head for a picnic lunch.
Afternoon:
The afternoon ride highlights the Salisbury Viaduct, the restored Meyersdale train station and great views of wind farms along the 19 mile stretch from Deal to Rockwood.
Dinner:
Buffet dinner in the Dining Hall.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment with dessert to follow.
Accommodations:
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3:
(Tuesday, May 21)
Breakfast:
Breakfast in the dining hall.
Morning:
From Laurelville the charter bus will transport the group back to Rockwood to begin the 19 mile morning ride to Confluence.
Lunch:
Enjoy a picnic lunch in Confluence.
Afternoon:
From Confluence the trail soon takes you into the beauty and serenity of Ohiopyle State Park. Much of the 11 mile afternoon ride runs beside the river, providing great views and opportunities to descend the slope and take a break riverside. Many participants enjoy riding parallel to the active CSX rail-line across the river.
Dinner:
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
Return to Laurelville and enjoy an evening of relaxing and fellowship with the group.
Accommodations:
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
(Wednesday, May 22)
Breakfast:
Breakfast in the dining hall.
Morning:
From Laurelville the charter bus will return the group to Ohiopyle to continue the ride. The morning ride is 17 miles from Ohiopyle to Connellsville and highlights include the high and low bridges over the Youghiogheny River as you exit Ohiopyle.
Lunch:
Picnic lunch in Connellsville.
Afternoon:
After lunch, complete the 100 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage with a 25 mile ride to West Newton. The ride will preview landmarks that will be highlighted on the next day's historic float trip on the river.
Dinner:
Dinner in the dining hall.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment followed by dessert.
Accommodations:
Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
(Thursday, May 23)
Breakfast:
Breakfast in the dining hall.
Morning:
Enjoy a leisurely float trip on the Youghiogheny River. The guided trip begins in Connellsville and highlights the region's role in the coal and coke boom at the end of the 19th century.
Lunch:
The week concludes with a delightful lunch provided by local hosts in the town of Dawson.
Afternoon:
Return to Laurelville after lunch and depart from home.
Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.
Suggested Reading List
The Great Allegheny Passage Companion: Guide to History & Heritage Along the Trail
Author: William Metzger
Description: A mile-by-mile guide with maps, illustrations, and historical photos. The most comprehensive guide to the rail-trail on the market. Available at www.amazon.com.
An Uncommon Passage: Traveling through History on the Great Allegheny Passage
Author: Edward K. Muller and Paul g. Wiegman
Description: An Uncommon Passage guides readers through the fascinating story of this trail, as a critical link in the western expansion of colonial America, and a pathway to the development of the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. The book explores the British outposts and forts, early settlers and frontier life, developing towns and cities, rise and predominance of industry, later environmentalism and preservation, natural resources, rivers, flora and geological features that comprise the trail and its environs. The engaging narrative is complemented by an extensive selection of historical illustrations and the contemporary photography of Paul g. Wiegman, all of which reveal the stunning scenery and pictorial history of the region. An Uncommon Passage offers a journey through both time and space to capture the heritage and surroundings of a region that would grow to prosper and help build a nation.
Trailbook 2012-2013
Author: Allegheny Trail Alliance
Description: TrailBook is the only authorized guide for the Great Allegheny Passage. The official guide to the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, 335 miles from Washington, D.C. to near Pittsburgh, PA. Includes Linking Up! planning guide; weatherproof, full-color map is folded into the back pocket; contains 248 pages of trail information; plus maps and information on 15 key trail towns. It's loaded with pictures of what you will see as you experience what the National Geographic Adventure calls an American Classic.
What’s included in this Road Scholar program?
Except for the occasional meal on some programs, Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive. That means there are no extra “options,” no passing the hat for tips and no surprises. From lectures and field trips to gratuities and accommodations – the price you pay up front is the price you pay.
Specifically, this program includes:
Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
Experienced Group Leaders attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Expert-led field trips and excursions and hands-on activities.
Comfortable, often exceptional, accommodations.
All meals (except where noted).
Group transportation throughout the program.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes
© Road Scholar 2013
|
Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768