Bear Run Trail Run Challenge - Bear Run Nature Reserve, Mill Run PA

The starting point Kiosk

The Bear Run Trail Run Challenge is located at Bear Run Nature Reserve in Mill Run Pennsylvania and is managed by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.  The main entrance is located along Route 381 between Normalville and Ohiopyle.  None of the individual trails at Bear Run are over 3 miles, but together they add up to about 20 interconnected miles.  For the backpackers out there, they also offer several designated walk-in primitive campsites for overnight trips.  Registration is easily done right in the parking lot behind the barn. There are usually paper maps available right at the parking lot to help guide you on this journey.  The trails are mostly well blazed and marked with upright posts at the intersections.  They display the trail name and direction of travel arrows to make things easier... A great place for a shorter distance trail challenge.  The Bear Run Trail Run follows the outermost trails in a counter clockwise direction starting and ending at the same point.

Route Statistics (apprx.)
Length: 12 miles
Elevation: +1885', -1600'

Here's the route:  (Printable Trail Map)
Clock starts at the registration board/trail head kiosk.  Start on Arbutus, turning right onto Wintergreen, follow Wintergreen about a mile to the intersection with Warbler.  At the end of Warbler, turn right onto Hemlock (a little chin scratching, blaze hunting was done several times on this one), follow Hemlock to a confusing downhill intersection at the campsite.  (Hint) From the campsite basically make a quick switchback right onto the logging road (Bear Run trail.)  Its blazed red/maroon, although you'll have to travel several hundred yards to find one.  Many are hidden behind new growth along this section.  Follow the (I'm guessing seldom used?) Bear Run trail to the intersection with Tulip Tree trail (freshly blazed red), but unmarked I believe.  Turn right and follow this incredible, rocky, freshly revamped trail to the intersection of Laurel Run trail.  Follow Laurel Run trail all the way to a crossing at route 381.  Cross the hardtop road and continue on Laurel Run to Peninsula trail.  This intersection is tricky so pay attention or you'll add an out and back hill climb to your run too. Near the end of Peninsula trail, you'll come to Paradise Overlook (a rock outcropping that offers a view of the Youghiogheny River below.)  From there follow the trail uphill to a gravel road.  Turn left onto the gravel road (Tissue trail) and follow it back to route 381.  The entrance to Bear Run (the starting point) is across the road.  Finish the run at the same sign where you began.

RUNNERS TO COMPLETE THIS CHALLENGE

July 30, 2013

Laura Hahn - 2:49:56  

June 19, 2013

Tim Anderson - 1:47:21 (FKT)