Quebec Run Trail System
The Quebec Run Trail System consists of six maintained hiking trails totaling 23.2 miles (37.3 km) and marked with 2-by-6-inch blue blazes, as well as many unmarked logging roads and trails for those wishing to get off the beaten path. The trails are contained in the Quebec Run Wild Area, a heavily forested section of land along the eastern slope of Chestnut Ridge in Fayette County. A short distance north of the Pennsylvania–West Virginia border, the area consists of 7,441 acres (3,011 ha) that encompass almost all of the Quebec Run and Tebolt Run watersheds.[1]
For a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) circuit hike to some of the most interesting parts of the wild area, follow Mud Pike for 1.4 miles (2.3 km), and park in the hard-surfaced parking lot on the right side of the road. The trailhead sign displays a map of Quebec Run Wild Area and its trails. Begin by taking Miller Trail on the east side of the parking lot (on the left as you face the sign and gate across Quebec Road), and follow the blue blazes. After .5 miles (0.80 km), you can tell you are hiking along a ridge between two stream valleys. As the trail descends, it becomes narrower and steeper. On the floodplain of Mill Run, a number of trails intersect. Here, turn right onto Mill Run Trail, which goes along the bank of the stream. Shortly, you pass some downed trees all lying in the same direction. Look carefully for a blue "T" on a tree at a trail intersection (unless the sign has been replaced by the time of your visit). Turn right onto Rankin Trail, which crosses Quebec Run twice and proceeds to Quebec Road. Cross the road and make a sharp jog to the right; watch the blazes carefully. Rankin Trail follows the hillside again until it joins an old logging road. Turn left onto the logging road, and continue past some large boulders to a sign for Hess Trail to the left. Continue on Rankin Trail; then turn at the second sign for Hess Trail, which leads uphill to your right (north). This section of Hess Trail begins with a strenuous climb out of the valley, then proceeds northeast across the top of the ridge. The trail dips down to cross a tributary of Mill Run, and from this point it is a short walk back to the parking lot. A longer loop hike incorporating more of the wild area's most interesting trails is featured in 50 Hikes in Western Pennsylvania (2000), by Tom Thwaites."[2]
To reach Quebec Run Wild Area, take U.S. Route 40 to the top of Chestnut Ridge east of Uniontown. Just to the east of the Mount Summit Inn, turn south on Skyline Drive. Proceed for 6.5 miles (10.5 km), past the entrance to Laurel Caverns to the junction with Quebec Road. From this junction, Skyline Drive to the south (via Mud Pike) and Quebec Road to the east form the boundaries of the wild area, and both lead to trailheads. Developed parking areas are shown on the wild area map. These and other area roads, some of which are closed to motor vehicles, provide access and allow for day hikes and loop hikes of various lengths.
References
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