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Laurel Summit is a very easy ride to warm up
or for beginners. It is
unfortunate that they are upgrading all the foresting roads making them
much less fun for mountain biking.
Still it is a nice 11-12 mile ride and you can check out a nice
view at Beam Rocks as a side trip.
No matter which route you take, you get a very nice scenic drive
through Western Pennsylvania (this route applies to 4 other rides—3
use the same trailhead as this ride).
You exit the turnpike at Donegal and take 711 for a while (couple
of big hills and “downtown” Donegal) until there is a sign
warning you about an intersection.
You take a right at this intersection (Country Club Rd). Take this road down the hill as it
runs right into PA-381. Then,
take a right on Linn Run Rd and drive up the nasty hill
through Linn Run State Park (slowly getting repaved)
and Forbes State Forest. Continue straight (slight left) at
the intersection and park at the picnic area (front lot for this trail
and back lot for Wolf Rocks).
Alternatively, you can take PA-381 for the whole drive from
PA-31 (see picture below). The
route begins by exiting the picnic area and following Laurel Summit Rd (what used to be Linn Run Rd). Laurel Summit Rd turns to the left (P.W.
& S Grade straight ahead and a parking lot to the right). Follow Laurel Summit Rd for a few miles (Beam Rocks
Trail and Overlook is halfway on the right). Once you pass a couple cabins and all
the ski areas, you will see a big warming lodge (bathrooms) for the ski
season on the right. Take a
right after this and follow the road to the right (parking lot to the
left). Go around the gate and up
the little hill. Then,
there’s one big drop followed by a long gradual
downhill—let the race begin!
All of this is Beam Run Road (don’t follow anything
that goes back towards the right).
You slowly climb back out until you cross Old Rector Edie Rd. You go up and a down a little until
you come up out on the P.W. & S Grade—turn right (the
beginning of the Lower Beam Trail is to the left if you want to combine
the two). P.W. & S Grade
crosses the Laurel Highlands Trail and comes out back onto Laurel
Summit/Linn Run Rd (more
info)
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