PA - Gallitzin SF District Office

Friday, October 20, 2017

While planning this mega-passporting trip, I saw that we had a stop on the quilt tour in Ebensburg. When reviewing my DCNR map, I realized that the Gallitzin District Office was in town and not having ever been in this state forest, saw it as a chance of a lifetime. However, what I did not realize is that the District Office (where the GPS Coordinates lead me to the cancellation location, has no recreational amenities. But, what the heck, we're here in town, let's get the stamp anyway. We had just left the Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS in nearby Cresson, about 10 miles east on the four lane from Ebensburg. We got off the main highway and went through town, following the GPS, as we are going into a more residential area. Alas, I found it, a basic sign in the front yard, a small wood shuttered building with a radio tower and a Smokey The Bear character on the front facade. So I find the entrance and enter.

As I enter, the clerk on duty is running the vacuum and as the door makes a tone as I open is jiffy to answer. I state that I am here to get my passport stamped. We do the stamp thing and I state on how I found the District Office. She proceeds to ask me if I have been on either tract of the State Forest, the Babcock or the Dishong Mountain and that a new "Resource Center" is slated to be built to the west of town on Dishong Mountain. They do litter as interacting with the public other than to issue permits for firewood and that they dont get alot of visitors. There was a wall full of literature that I helped my self to before leaving.

Forest Synopsis

Gallitzin State Forest was named in honor of Prince-Priest Dimetrius of the Alleghenies, Augustine Gallitzin, who established a mission at Loretto in Cambria Country in 1795. The forest covers 24,370 acres on the Allegheny Front and the Laurel Ridge.

The Gallitzin Forest District was established in January 1916 as a Forest Fire Warden Headquarters. The land now part of the Babcock forest area was logged between 1897 and 1914 by the E.V. Babcock Lumber Company of Pittsburgh. The company sold a large tract to the Commonwealth in 1949 and 1950. The first purchases of lands that make up the Rager Mountain forest area were made in the early and mid-1960's. These forests were harvested in the 1800's to manufacture charcoal for the iron and steel industry. Several of the old flattened charcoal beds are still visible scattered across the mountain.

Coal mining has been an important industry in this area since the early 1900's. Many abandoned deep-mine tunnels have been ripped open by subsequent strip mining operations. Mining done today under improved mining laws and modern methods is doing much to heal the scars of the past. In 1991, 3,009 acres of surface land were deeded to the Bureau of Forestry in exchange for coal under 92.9 acres in previously mined areas of Pot Ridge.

At a Glance

Hiking

➢ The John P. Saylor Trail is an 18-mile double loop trail, southern loop traverses the

Clear Shade Natural Area. 

➢ The 26-mile Lost Turkey Trail begins at Babcock Picnic Area in Somerset County.

➢ The Bog and Boulder Trail spans an upland bog and designated Wild Plant Sanctuary.

➢ The County Line Trail is a 10- mile shared-use trail east of Ogletown.

➢ The Clark Run Trail tours the Charles F. Lewis Natural Area. 

Camping

➢ Primitive backpack camping (at undeveloped sites) is permitted throughout the state forest; a permit is required to camp for more than one night at one location (please follow Bureau

of Forestry guidelines).

➢ There are no developed or motorized campsites within the district forest.

➢ A special permit is needed for parties of more than ten.

Sightseeing

➢ A scenic vista can be found on Rager Mountain overlooking Indiana County. 

➢ Two overlooks near County Line Trail offer views of Blue Knob and Bedford County. 

➢ A vista off Clark Run Trail reveals the beautiful Conemaugh River Gap. 

➢ An interesting geological feature called Wolf Rocks can be observed while hiking the John P. Saylor Trail.

Hunting

➢ Big game opportunities include deer, bear, and turkeys. 

➢ Small game opportunities include squirrels, rabbits, and occasionally, grouse. 

➢ Hunting is permitted throughout state forest; please obey all regulations. 

Fishing

➢ Excellent cold-water fishing opportunities can be found on Clear Shade Creek near Ogletown and on Laurel Run north of Johnstown. 

➢ The Conemaugh River south of the Charles F. Lewis Natural Area offers good bass and panfish fishing. 

➢ PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations apply. 

Winter Activities

➢ The district maintains 18 miles of snowmobile trails in the Babcock forest area and nine miles on the Rager forest area. Contact the district office for maps. 

➢ Most trails/roads are open to cross-country skiing, although skiing is not advised on snowmobile trails for safety. 

➢ 7 miles of trails are maintained for cross-country skiing in the Babcock forest area, offering three classes of difficulty

Wild and Natural Areas

 ➢ Wild and Natural Areas are designated to protect areas of high biologic, scenic, cultural, and historical value.
➢ The 384-acre Charles F. Lewis Natural Area features the scenic Clark Run Gorge, boasting small waterfalls and unique geology.
➢ The Clear Shade Wild Area, south of route 56, is a 2,791-acre wilderness dominated by cherry, maple, and beech trees.

Other Recreation

➢ Mountain biking and horseback riding are permitted on most forest roads and trails. 

➢ Picnic facilities are offered at Babcock State Forest Picnic Area, east of Windber. 

➢ Blue Knob, Canoe Creek, Laurel Ridge, Prince Gallitzin, and Yellow Creek state parks offer camping, boating, and swimming opportunities. 

District Office

Address:
155 Hillcrest Drive.
Ebensburg, PA 15931-0506

Phone: (814) 472-1862 

FAX: (814) 472-1876 

Email: FD06@pa.gov