Laurel Highlands Trail

This segment marks the end of the Laurel Highlands Trail and conclusion of a magnificent journey of some 450 miles from Point Lookout in Maryland. Within a couple of miles spectacular views of the Conemaugh River gorge appear to the north and Johnstown is visible to the east. The going is easy throughout and culminates in a five-mile descent to Seward. The trail passes an old stone quarry and the remains of an incline plane. Both were used to gather materials for the construction of a railroad bridge in Johnstown. The bridge was said to be the site of many deaths during the Johnstown Flood of 1889, as buildings and debris piled against it. The incline plane was in use until 1930, and the bridge still stands.