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Description: This is a moderate 30 mile back pack trip utilizing the trail systems of the Black Moshannon State Forest and Park of Pennsylvania. Several years ago Ralph Seeley came up with the idea of developing a trail that would circumnavigate the entire Black Moshannon Park. The route would traverse approximately 40 miles of trails transporting the hiker through mature hardwood forest, sections struggling to recover from past cuttings, beautiful trout streams, scenic vistas, Pine plantations, Rhododendron thickets, Hemlock groves and finally, the bogs of Moss-Hanne. To provide variety and shorter routes the Moss-Hanne and Shingle Mill Trails would be added as cross connectors right through the heart of the state park. Volunteer trail building crews from all across PA were assembled. In 2003 the project, now known as the Allegheny Front Trail, was completed. The skill, effort and engineering that was required to make this happen is akin only to that found in the beaver that constantly change the topography of this fantastic hiking venue.

This outing starts in the center of the park, follows the Shingle Mill Trail north to pick up the Allegheny Front Trail (AFT) which is then followed in a clockwise direction to re-enter the park on the Moss-Hanne Trail which is then followed back to the starting point. I break the trip down into 3 equal 10 mile segments. Day 1 is mostly walking along beautiful streams and creeks with one modestly challenging climb. The focal point of day 2 is a challenging ridge walk with great vistas. There is a 3 mile segment of steep ups and downs on the rockiest trail I’ve ever been on but the views are satisfying rewards. Day 3 features a relatively easy romp through the bogs and swamps of Moss-Hanne. The stone bridges and long boardwalks make this segment a pleasure.

For more info on the AFT go to:

Google Custom Directions

Immediately turn onto Julian Pike (Note: Google Maps calls this Beaver Run Rd). Mooring area #1 is immediately on the right. Drive approximately 0.25 miles to Ranger Station and inform them of your intentions. If they are closed leave a note with vehicle description and tag#, persons in your group and emergency contact info under the office door. Return to mooring area #1 and begin the trip.

Printable/Downloadable Map of North Section

Printable/Downloadable Map of South Section

View 3-D Map of Entire Loop

Zipped National Geographic. TOPO! GPS and Universal GPX Files

GPS Text File for Non-TOPO! Users

Trail Notes: All trails are signed and blazed. There are a couple of woods roads (active and inactive) that are crossed and noted in this description. AFT sign posts with pertinent distances are installed at every road crossing. Feel free to start/end this hike at any of these locations keeping in mind water sources, camping areas and park camping policy. Park policy asks that hikers not camp within a mile of the park boundary. For this outing the northern limit is Huckleberry Road. The eastern limit is I mile east of Julian Pike which happens to be the campsites at/near Smay’s Run Trail/Road.

Day 1: From Mooring Area #1 proceed north on Julian Pike. Cross Rt 504 and follow Black Moshannon Rd for 0.42 miles. Turn left onto a gated service road. Cross Black Moshannan Creek on a bridge and immediately turn right onto blue blazed Shingle Mill Tr.

At 1.72 miles from joining the Shingle Mill Trail cross Huckleberry Road. Although all of Shingle Mill Tr is beautiful the best part is the section north of Huckleberry Rd. Note the campsites marked on the map. The largest area is actually on the other side of the creek at a dog leg just before the trail ascends steeply on a well-constructed piece of side-hill trail. In 1.83 miles from Huckleberry Rd join the orange blazed AFT. Turn right.

In another 0.81 miles the AFT crosses Black Moshannon Creek on a bridge and passes in front of a green cabin/cottage to cross Benner Run on yet another bridge. Turn left after crossing the bridge and follow Benner Run for 1.38 miles before re-crossing the run on another bridge. There are a couple of small campsites between the two crossings. It’s possible that more sites might be found on a slight rise to the right of the trail if you can work through the thick Leatherleaf plants that seem to blanket the entire forest.

Shortly after the last crossing pass and unsigned blue blazed trail on the right. This follows Benner Run further upstream and may provide yet more camping opportunities. Stay on the AFT and climb up and over the next ridge to Hull Run. There are two water sources here but offers little in the way of campsites.

In 2.89 miles after leaving Benner Run cross a gravel woods road. In another 0.33 miles join the Rock Run Ski Trail. Turn right here. The trail will be marked with both orange and blue blazes. In 1.03 miles descend to Rock Run. You can either camp here, just above the bridge for the Rock Run Connector Tr or walk uphill for another 0.5 miles to a nice bench along a huge beaver dam/pond.

Day 2: Continue up Rock Run. There are a couple of small but nice campsites at water’s edge along this section. Cross Rock Run and at 1.96 miles from the Rock Run Connector bridge meet the junction with the upper portion of Rock Run Ski Trail. Turn right onto orange blazed AFT.

Soon find yourself walking along the headwaters of Benner Run. There are several potential campsites along this section. Cross Benner Run and walk across an open meadow to a Red Spruce plantation. At 1.26 miles from leaving the Rock Run Ski Trail come to a grassy woods road. Turn left onto the road following the orange blazes. In another 0.3 miles leave the road turning left onto a footpath. Re-enter the meadow and cross a grassy maintenance road for a set of radio towers over your left shoulder. In another 0.15 miles arrive at Rt 504.

Cross Rt 504. In 0.13 miles cross another woods road. The path itself will become a well rutted road as it descends steeply. In another 0.21 miles make an abrupt right turn up a rocky foot path and in 0.51 miles come to a partly obscured overlook. Descend steeply and ascend several times visiting the vistas along the way. The last vista is signed “Ralph’s Magnificent Vista” in honor of Ralph Seeley. Leave the last vista and scramble through an area known, for obvious reasons, as “Rock City”.

At 0.60 miles from Ralph’s Magnificent Vista cross Underwood road. In another 1.62 miles cross Smay’s Run Trail. This is a good spot to call it a day. A slightly more secluded campsite is just a few more yards down the trail at the bridge that crosses the run.

Day 3: Continue west on the AFT. In 1.1 miles cross Julian Pike and join the Moss-Hanne Trail. It will be blazed with orange triangles and is a mix of foot path, old woods roads, rock bridges and wonderful boardwalks. In 2.6 miles pass a spur trail that leads out to Shirk’s Rd on the left and then the continuation of the AFT. Turn right to stay on the Moss-Hanne Tr with its orange triangles.

In another 1.02 miles cross the apparently abandoned Airport Trail. In another 1.28 miles cross a small backwater. Here the trail goes un-blazed to the left into a Pine plantation and to the right (blazed) towards the lake. Turn right here.

n another 2.09 miles join the Indian trail that comes in from the left. Turn right, following the duel blazes for 0.25 miles (orange triangle and red circle). The Indian trail will turn left. Continue on the Moss-Hanne Trail to it junction with the Bog Trail in another 0.43 miles.

Follow the boardwalk around to the launch ramp on West Side Road. Turn right onto West Side Road and in 1.16 miles arrive back at Rt 504. Cross the bridge and return to your cars.

Printable/Downloadable Trail Notes

Critique this outing! ________________________________________

Name: MikerTheHiker Hike: AFT-East
Date: 8/31-9/1 Rating: 5

Critique: I registered at the Park Office, picked up their rather basic trail map, and parked in the beach lot. This hike is really awesome. There is a section at the northern end of the park that goes along a beautiful creek, then you hike under giant laurel bushes in a somewhat wet area along another creek. The trail has some good vista's but they were mostly blocked by trees, this is the rocky area. There are quit a few swamps and although they have walkways over them, you really need waterproof boots. Towards the end of the hike there are gigantic pine forests. That is where you will find the Blue Berries. Some of these bushes are over 7 foot high. There are also several nice meadows, and areas covered with ferns. This is a moderate trail with loads to see, including the pristine state park. It is well blazed but has quite a few blowdowns. I went after a somewhat dry spell, and there was still plenty of good water to be found. I'll definitely be heading back up to hike the west half.

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Name: Joseph Tinker Hike: AFT East BP
Date: 8/1/05 Ranking: 4

Critique: I completed this backpacking trip at the beginning of August. While it was hot and humid in the city, it was cool and drier in Black Moshannon State Forest. I followed the hike description closely. The hike from the parking lot to the first road crossing is flat and somewhat boring. As the hike description implies, the scenery becomes much better as you get closer to the AFT junction north of the state park. For the most part, the AFT is well-blazed. The tread is frequently obscured by large amounts of overgrowth. Most of this plant growth is ferns. The hike along Benner Run is very scenic. After leaving Benner Run, the hike becomes a bit tedious. There are few steep hills along the first days section, but the trail seems to go up and down and change directions frequently. I saw a huge rattlesnake near the end of the first day. I passed the suggested campsite and hiked a bit farther uphill to a very small campsite along the run.

The following days hike started out very easy. The section to RT 504 is pleasant. What is understated in the hike description is the steepness of the hike from RT 504 to Ralphs Majestic Vista. The trail climbs and drops steeply between vistas. After having lunch at the final vista, I made good time to the second nights campsite. I set up camp near the wooden bridge, under the pines. It is a great campsite.

The third day is long and flat. After crossing Julian Pike, the trail is lined with blueberry bushes, which were loaded with ripe berries. I have never seen so many blueberries. As I hiked, I frequently stopped to pick a handful. This was the highlight of the third day. The Moss-Hanne trail is hard to follow in some places, especially near the old airport trail. The final miles are flat and clear. The road walk at the end is scenic, with nice views of the lake.

I enjoyed this hike. I will be back! ________________________________________

Name: Joan Paswell Hike: Allegheny Front - East

Date: 9/15>9/18 Ranking: 5

Critique: I'd been wanting to do this particular backpack trip for the last two years. I was pleasantly suprised when I came across your website! With the almost identical trip that I had planned and with all this fantastic info on it and other hikes. I've saved this site to my favorites.

I went with two other women hikers that I met through the Allegheny Sierra Club. We had an approx. 4 hr drive to the Black Moshannon state park. We stopped at the park office and got are free backcountry camping permit. We started out about 2pm on Thurs, hiking on the Shingle Mill Trail then joining the AFT. The trails were easy-going and very scenic and enjoyable. The many ferns and some of the trees were changing colors for fall. We hiked 6.5 miles and camped at a campsite along Benner Run approx. 1.25 miles after passing the green cabin. There was one smaller campsite before this one. But the second one which we chose was much nicer. On Friday, there was one modest climb. We lunched at a great little spot where the Rock Run Ski trail branches off the AFT. We hiked on passing several campsites, but it was too early in the day to stop yet. We planned to camp by Benner

Run (headwater area) but it was completely dry! We continued on another 2 miles to Rt 504. I called the park office to inquire if the rangers knew if water was available further along the AFT or down along Smays Run where streams were

marked on our maps. We were informed that it was doubtful if water was available along the AFT after crossing Rt 504 but that it was available on Smays Run. The park ranger offered us a lift there; so we took him up on it. We did find water at Smays Run but it was very low. We camped there two nites. On Saturday we did a dayhike east on the AFT to the ridge/vistas and back (7.5 miles). Sunday we backpacked west on the AFT then Moss Hanne trails back to the park (10 miles). We all highly recommend this loop; it was very enjoyable. ________________________________________

Name: Mark Hike: Allegheny Front Trail
Date: 2/17/06 - 2/19/06 Rating: 4

Critique: I was looking to do some hiking in the snow when I found this loop. However there is not much snow to be found this winter so I decided to do the full loop in a 3 day weekend. This is a nice trail, but there is quite a bit of blowdown down along Moshannon Creek. The eastern part of the loop is easily the most scenic but overall the loop is a nice walk in the woods and not too strenuous. The north west part of the trail doesn't seem to get much traffic as there is no obvious path in places. I had to keep an eye out for blazes to make sure I stayed at least in the vicinity of the trail. I'm not sure I would do this hike again by myself (too many other places to explore) but I'd do it again with a friend. Water was never a problem and camp sites were easy enough to find. The only real adventure was keeping warm as Sunday morning temperature was 2 degrees! Thanks for keeping this site up. Another resource to be used when looking for hikes in this area.

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