“September 24, 2023, marks 100 years since the establishment of the Allegheny National Forest. To commemorate this historic milestone, the ANF Centennial Geocache trail has been established to provide an opportunity to connect the American public to the outdoors, encourage families to explore the national forest, and provide educational and recreational opportunities for users of the trail. We encourage you to join the fun, enjoy the adventure, and learn more about your national forest while respecting and protecting our natural resources! The Allegheny National Forest includes land in four Pennsylvania counties (Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren Counties).
This geocache is one of a total of 28 ANF Centennial Geocaches placed throughout the Allegheny National Forest. In order to complete the GeoTrail, you must find at least 5 ANF Centennial Geocaches in each of the four counties which include part of the Allegheny National Forest. Each cache will contain a unique laminated code word to be found on the logbook, to be written in your passport as proof of finding the cache. Please remember to write the code word on your passport before or after signing the logbook, and return the logbook to the cache container when finished. The next person who finds the cache is also going to need it!
Please remember to also log your find on geocaching.com after you find the cache and tell us about your adventure or anything that you found interesting during your visit. Please post pictures of your visit to the Allegheny National Forest as well with your log or on social media sites. Before setting out to find the ANF Centennial GeoTrail caches, you will need an official passport document. Passports are free and can be obtained by downloading and printing the passport document from the website www.pennsoil.org “
The Laurel Mill Trail is a system of interconnecting loops totaling 17.2 kilometers (10.7 miles) for cross-country skiing and hiking. The trailhead offers parking, restroom and a warming hut that are accessible to persons with disabilities. The Laurel Mill Trailhead is located three miles west of Ridgway on Township Road 307, often called the Spring Creek Road. The trails can be found on the Portland Mills quadrangle map. The trails are marked with blue diamonds. Laurel Mill offers challenges to a wide range of skill levels. The Elk Loop and Perseverance Loop are designated EASIEST and are suitable for beginning skiers. The Scout Loop, Hemlock Loop and One Mile Loop are designated MORE DIFFICULT and are suitable for more advanced skiers. The Sparrow Nest Loop is best suited to hiking. "You Are Here" signs are located at trail junctions and other key locations. The Hemlock Loop offers some scenic views of the Ridgway Reservoir as you go up Spillway Hill. The Scout Loop adds some excitement as you twist down Suicide Slide and Brigg's Dike. Ski cautiously over Lewis Run Bridge. If you desire solitude, try the trails on the southern side of the system. The scenery and quiet will be well worth the effort. Enjoy a meal at Lunch Rocks or Gillis Flats on the Sparrow Nest Loop. Schuss down Sam's Slide on the One Mile Loop. These trails are for hiking and cross-country skiing. Mountain bikes, motorized vehicles, ATV's and snowmobiles are not allowed on any of the trails. Forest trails policy prohibits the use of saddle, pack or draft animals on hiking and cross-country ski trails. Camping is allowed along the trail as long as your equipment does not block the trail Grooming of the trails may take place at any time. Please leave the trail when you hear the groomer approaching.
Wear orange in hunting season please.