I spent most of the day on October 16, 2022 looking for the best fall foliage views in the PA Laurel Highlands (Somerset, Westmoreland, and Fayette counties).
I started out with a sunrise hike to Beam Rocks Overlook in the Forbes State Forest.
Once the sun broke through the considerable cloud deck, the vibrant foliage of the forest really came alive around the rocks.
From here I made the short drive to the Wolf Rocks trailhead at Laurel Summit State Park.
I hiked out to Wolf Rocks Overlook (4 miles out-and-back) and was treated to excellent fall foliage views in the direction of Ligonier to the west.
Returning to the trailhead, I then hiked the short distance from the parking lot to Spruce Flats Bog, not much of a fall foliage destination but an interesting high-altitude bog with plenty of cotton grass in bloom this time of year.
From the Laurel Summit parking area, I drove north the short distance to Linn Run State Park, where the fall foliage was at its peak.
I stopped off at a roadside display dedicated to the history of the Pittsburgh, Westmoreland, and Somerset Railroad, a logging railroad that once ran up through what is now the park.
From Linn Run State Park I headed south, sticking to the back roads along the way.
I made a brief stop at Kooser State Park along Route 31, where the foliage is starting to fade but made for a nice scene nonetheless.
From Kooser I made the short drive to neighboring Laurel Hill State Park, where the fall foliage around the lake was still going strong.
My next stop was at Laurel Ridge State Park, where I hiked to Laurel Run Overlook.
From Laurel Ridge State Park I swung by Cranberry Glade Lake in Somerset County for a quick visit.
My final Laurel Highlands fall foliage destination of the day was Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County.
Here the fall foliage views were widely varied, depending on where you were in the park.
Around the Visitor Center and the namesake Ohiopyle Falls, the views were quite good.
Whereas at Tharp Knob Overlook, the foliage probably has another week to go before the views peak.
All in all, it was an outstanding day to be out and about taking in the Laurel Highlands fall foliage views, and with six state parks and one state forest under my belt, I called it a day and headed for home, already planning for more fall foliage adventures this coming week!
Related Articles
My Cambria County 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions there as of October 15, 2022.
My Centre County 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions there as of October 12, 2022.
My Clarion County 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions there as of October 10, 2022.
My Jefferson County 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions there as of October 10, 2022.
My Tioga County 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions in Wellsboro and the PA Grand Canyon as of October 6, 2022.
My Potter County 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions there as of October 5, 2022.
My Pine Creek Rail Trail 2022 Fall Foliage Update highlights the conditions on the trail near Blackwell as of October 3, 2022.
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