Trail Buddies

All are welcome. Easy overnight backpacking trip in Minister Creek, part of the Allegheny National Forest. Plan to meet at noon on Saturday, May 16, at the parking lot across from the Minister Creek Campground. Our two-day hike will be counterclockwise. The first day will be 2.9 miles, and we will camp near the Triple Fork West Campground on the NCT. The hike out will be 3.1 miles back to the parking lot. I expect there will be mud and multiple stream crossings, so bring appropriate footwear.

Please message me with any questions.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Distance: 27 Miles
Map: link

Summary:
Please join us for a three-day backpacking trip through the Laurel Highlands. We will be hiking roughly 27 miles from the RT 271 trailhead to the RT 31 parking lot. On the first night, we will stay in the RT 30 shelters, and on the second night, we will stay in the Turnpike shelters. Reservations are required for shelters. This is a through-hike, so we will start and end at different locations. I plan to park my car at the end and take a shuttle to the starting point. There is room in the shuttle for several people. The section of trail we are hiking is considered “intermediate difficulty” as it is well-maintained and has only moderate elevation changes. If three days is too much, feel free to join us or leave us at any of the stopping points. There are parking lots near each shelter site.

Map of the three-day trip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1atGaVv0cD0T7mfPmoVgYRYE1nvSm0mm4/view?usp=sharing

Start (when and where):
The shuttle will pick us up at 9:00 am, Friday, June 26, 2026, at the LHHT official parking lot next to Rt-31, located here: 40.06027389335536, -79.2729533747536. (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WBDZaewaQeR9ZPg1A)
The shuttle will drop us off at the RT 271 Laurel Highlands trailhead, located here: 40.28191, -79.04990. (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/b6Td3eszuq5pWbEo9) There is parking at the trailhead if you don’t plan to take the shuttle. We plan to start our hike at 10:00 am. There are shelters nearby, in case you want to come in the night before.

End (where):
The trip will end at the LHHT official parking lot next to Rt-31, located here: 40.06027389335536, -79.2729533747536. (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WBDZaewaQeR9ZPg1A) This is where the shuttle picked us up, and most/all of us left our cars. We expect to arrive at the parking lot around midday on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Shorter Trip:
If three days is too much or the dates don’t fit your schedule, feel free to join us for part of the trip. Maybe you just want to camp one night, or maybe you just want to join us for a day hike; both are possible. All of our stops are near parking areas. If you plan to join us on the second or third day, please let us know so we can look for you.

Parking:
People are encouraged to park at the end of the trail and shuttle to the beginning. But there is parking at the beginning if you plan to park there.

Shuttle Service:
The shuttle service will pick us up at 9:00 am on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the LHHT official parking lot next to Rt-31, located here: 40.06027389335536, -79.2729533747536. (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WBDZaewaQeR9ZPg1A). I’ve already paid for four people. (minimum reservation) The shuttle is expensive. If you would/could help with the cost, it would be appreciated, but not required. The shuttle service is offered by Wilderness Voyageurs. Please let me know if you plan to join me on the shuttle so I can let Wilderness Voyageurs know and send you the waiver. Wilderness Voyageurs does not take walk-ons; they must know about every rider at least a day in advance and have limited seating.

Shelters:
Reservations are required for shelters, and overnight camping fees are charged ($4.00 per person per night). Payment is required at the time of reservation. Ranges DO stop by and check reservations, and they write tickets for violations.

Here are the shelters we are staying at:
Night One:

• Friday, June 26, 2026
• Rt 30 Shelters

Night Two:

• Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Turnpike Shelters

Here is how to make Shelter reservations:
Online Shelter Reservations:

• Visit the Reservation Website: https://pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com/wildernessAreaDetails.do?contractCode=PA&parkId=880219
• If you are having trouble finding the shelters on the park reservation system, check out this how-to with step-by-step instructions and screenshots: https://mytrailsaremany.com/how-to-reserve-a-pa-backpacking-permit/
• A confirmation number will be provided upon successful booking.
• Print your reservation and bring it with you.

Phone Shelter Reservations:

• Call the Park Office: Dial 724-455-3744 to make reservations directly. Be prepared to provide details such as your name, contact information, trip dates, desired shelter areas, and vehicle descriptions.

Itinerary:
Day 1: RT 271 to RT 30 Shelters

• Date/Time: Friday, June 26, 2026 @9:00am
• Shuttle will pick us up at the LHHT official parking lot next to Rt-31, located here: 40.06027389335536, -79.2729533747536. (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WBDZaewaQeR9ZPg1A).
• Date/Time: Friday, June 26, 2026 @10:00am
• Shuttle will drop us off at the RT 271 trailhead 40.28191, -79.04990 (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/b6Td3eszuq5pWbEo9)
• Ending Point: RT 30 Shelters 40.18045, -79.11860
• Hiking Distance: roughly 10.6 miles
• Route Map JPG: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15ob46Q4s5IyC24qXLSSD6VhqnVLInHt2/view?usp=sharing

Day2: RT 30 Shelters to Turnpike Shelters

• Date/Time: Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Starting Point: RT 30 Shelters 40.18045, -79.11860
• Ending Point: Turnpike Shelters 40.10726, -79.18584
• Distance: roughly 7.93 miles
• Route Map JPG: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AFkRNNg4X-aCDh1462e33u0phG_op3p-/view?usp=sharing

Day 3: Turnpike Shelters to RT-31 Parking Lot

• Date/Time: Sunday, June 28, 2026
• Starting Point: Turnpike Shelters 40.10726, -79.18584
• Ending Point: LHHT official parking lot next to Rt-31, located here: 40.06027389335536, -79.2729533747536. (Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WBDZaewaQeR9ZPg1A).
• Distance: roughly 6.24 miles
• Route Map PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vZJGVvQUd4NHC8sjnM-Ho5nTY7pyKNuF/view?usp=sharing