Welcome to Rocks & Waterfalls!

This trip will explore Ohiopyle State Park and is co-led by Earth Science Excursions, LLC.

With waterfalls and the deepest gorge in Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle State Park provides opportunities to observe a variety of habitats together with three-dimensional exposures of the rock layer most responsible for shaping Laurel Highlands landscapes. These can be observed on an excursion to the most scenic natural features of the Park: Baughman Rock Overlook; Ohiopyle Falls; Meadow Run Waterslide, the Youghiogheny River Entrance Rapids and if time permits, Cucumber Falls. Developing an understanding of geology, flora and fauna gives these highly photogenic natural features deeper meaning

Meet in the Baughman Rock parking area in Ohiopyle State Park.

Overview of the field trip first stop. Observe upland habitat; view Youghiogheny Gorge in Laurel Hill; and observe the composition, paleocurrent direction and structural tilt of an outcrop of Pottsville Sandstone. This is a well-known scenic overlook with limited parking, but it is away from the river and town and is seldom crowded. The parking area is not large and there is no restroom facility. After this stop, drive to the Ohiopyle State Park main parking lot near Ohiopyle Falls and walk to the Visitor Center. The next stops will be at Ohiopyle Falls, Meadow Run Waterslide and Youghiogheny River Entrance Rapids. Cucumber Falls is a potential additional stop.

SAFETY INFORMATION

For safety and parking purposes, there will be no more than eight participants on the excursion, including the leaders. We will be walking for as much as five miles on hiking paths that have roots, slippery logs, holes and uneven ground. We will also be walking on slippery rocks on the edges of streams and the river, but we should not need to walk in water more than a couple of inches deep, very briefly. We will not be lingering below cliffs or under rock overhangs and helmets are not required. We will be away from the vehicles for as long as five hours. The vehicles will be driving on pavement and parking in gravel parking lots.

Must haves:

Comfortable, sturdy boots for walking on uneven ground and depending on conditions on ice, in mud or snow. We will want to look at rocks next to a stream and river, and it will help if your boots are able to withstand a few inches of water.
Face coverings ARE required.
Sturdy walking stick
Check the weather forecast; please wear weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty and that will allow you to be comfortable in the outdoors for an hour or so.
In season there is poison ivy along trails we will be walking so wear high socks and long pants.

Optional:

Smart phone, camera. Identification guides; notebook or sketch pad and pencil.

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