Momma's Bitchin' Ohiopyle 50K

The overlook at mile 2.4 of the LHHT, Photo LH

This is a 2013 route that came up as a challenge to me from Laura after bitching about how spent I was after running the 12 mile Sugarloaf Triple Trail Challenge in June.  She proposed I quit bitchin' and combine 2 of the toughest challenges in the area.  Why don't you try running a traditional "Gate to 8 X 1", then continue to run the Sugarloaf Triple Trail Challenge.  The route is roughly 32 miles, close to a 50K.  She quickly added do it FAST!   We named it the Momma's Bitchin' Ohiopyle 50K Challenge!  This should be a great training run for aspiring Laurel Ultra runners looking to bring their A-game.   Hopefully it will become an annual "Fat Ass" run we're trying to organize.  Please feel free to email me with any questions regarding this route.  I'll be happy to help clarify as much as possible.  Free maps are available at the train station.

The Kiosk at the train station along the bike trail in Ohiopyle

The train station and roughly midpoint of your run.
They also have a water fountain inside

The Route Route Statistics (apprx.)
Length: 50K, (32) miles
Elevation: +6550', -6420'

First half (LHHT) "Gate to 8X1" is the blue, Second half is Sugarloaf Triple Trail Challenge (Red) Together they form "Momma's Bitchin' Ohiopyle 50K"

Here's the route:  

At the end of Garrett St. in Ohiopyle is the Brown Gate which marks the start of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.  The Gate is the official Start/End of this run as well.  Follow the LHHT north to mile marker 8.  Turn around and retrace back to the gate.  You can restock or receive aid at your vehicle, but no stopping the clock.  Continue out Garrett St. to 381.  Turn left and cross the bridge towards town.  Take the first left up to the train station/bike trail parking area.  Follow the parking lot to the rear.  Where the parking lot ends you will see the trailhead for Baughman trail and Sugarloaf trail.  Take the right trail (Sugarloaf) and follow it gently downhill several miles until  it swings a hard left and climbs up the mountain to Sugarloaf mountain bike and sledding area.  Climb up the sledding hill taking the Sugarloaf X-country ski trail in the left corner.  Follow this up to the gravel road.  Turn left and you'll see the hardtop road a short distance ahead. Turn right onto the hardtop then make a quick left to the McCune trail parking area.  Follow the 3.5 mile McCune loop and you'll come back onto the hardtop in the same spot.   Cross the hardtop and turn right back onto the Sugarloaf X-country trail.  Retrace the Sugarloaf trail back down several miles to the Baughman trail intersection.  Turn right  cross the hardtop and follow Baughman trail down hill passing the Overlook on your right, parking area on your left.  Keep on following Baughman trail down to the bike trail (turn left) and train station.  Back across the bridge and down Garrett St. to the Brown Gate and the end.

Ohiopyle trail map, this .PDF file has all trails used for this challenge.


Trail maps as in the above photo (unmarked) are available for free at the train station in Ohiopyle.

Runners who have completed this challenge

August 29, 2013

Tim Anderson - 5:53:24 (FKT)

After your run is over, I'd recommend stopping by Falls City Pub for a cold one and some well deserved food in a fun setting.  Tell them Woodz Ninja sent you...

For additional information see my blog post regarding the Sugarloaf Triple Trail Challenge.