Spring Hike - Finally!

After what seemed like the longest winter in history, I was able to get out and hike Chapman State Park for the first time this season. The park is about 5 miles from our home, so it is a convenient place to go for a work-out and to enjoy the scenery. You can find a map of the area and the trails online by following the above link. The are approximately 12 miles of trails within the park, and Chapman State Park serves as the trailhead to miles of additional paths.

I usually park at the first parking lot and begin at Penny Run. Penny Run is a fairly steep trail going up and right now it is still pretty mushy and there is a lot
of debris on the main path. If you are planning on hiking soon, you will want waterproof footwear and make sure that you are agile enough to go off the trail to dryer areas. Please use logical precautions - Don't go so far off the trail that you become lost, wear brightly colored clothes so that you can be easily spotted, and be sure to let someone know where you are going and what route you intend to hike. My daughter has accompanied me on this hike numerous times, so when I tell her I am hiking Penny Run, she can retrace my entire route.


Going down the other side of Penny run was a bit more challenging, as there are still large patches of snow and ice. The photo to the left is my favorite part of the Penny Run Trail - it is a natural water feature running alongside the path. The water running over the little dams and waterfalls is such peaceful sound. As you can see, the area still has quite a bit of snow and ice so it is imperative that you watch your steps to avoid falling.






Another great feature of the area is the old Railroad Bed that has been converted into a hiking trail. I don't have a link to the full map of the Railroad path, but it leads to several destinations including Hearts' Content Recreation Area. You can find Allegheny National Forest maps online, or stop at Allegheny Outfitters in downtown Warren for assistance in planning your route.


The Railroad trail leads to a swinging bridge that will take you acoss a nice inlet area of Chapman Dam. This is a popular fishing area, so if you decide to wade here make sure you wear water shoes to prevent a hook in the foot. Please be considerate of those who were utilizing the area before you - it is extremely rude to start a ruckus in the water where someone is fishing..



The trail surrounding the Railroad trail and the swinging bridge is called the Lowlands Trail. On the campground side of the Lake, this trail snakes through the wooded area close to the water and when in full bloom, this path is bursting with the most beautiful flora and fauna. Across the Swinging Bridge, the path comes out to a Forestry Road and leads to the Boat Launch, Organized Tent Camping Area, and Fishing Deck with Handicap access.



There are several trails on the western side of the Lake as well. The Warming Hut trail runs from the Boat Launch/Warming Hut area. It is an easy trail that is a distance away from the water and is a great hike for little ones. There is also Hunters' Ridge Trail, which I found to be the most challenging in the past but well worth the it - the forest is magical!

I took several pictures on my hike today - most are things that caught my eye. The natural beauty of the Allegheny National Forest is amazing. You can view the pictures from today here.