Day 1 on the Laurel Highland Hiking Trail

Ron Henshaw and I hiked the LHHT last September from Rt 31 to Ohiopyle.  We both wanted to knock out the last 40 mi of this trail and this weekend looked perfect!  We drove to Rt 31 & left a vehicle and made the hour drive to Seward, just outside of Johnstown.  We had a good night truck camping last night near the trailhead. We initially couldnt find it so a cop showed us and said there was a car broken into in that lot last wknd. We woke early and were on the trail by 715.  Started the am with a 3 mi climb and the views of the Conemaugh River valley were nice, although heavy foliage this time of year obstructed many views.  The Conemaugh power plant was really cranking, making its own weather.   Met 5 people onnthe trail, a couple running, a guy that was wrapping up his last 6 mi after starting in Ohiopyle last Sunday and a father / son just doing a quick overnighter at the 56 shelter.  The solo hiker had lots of rain and saw no people.  We stopped for lunch at about 5 mi before our shelter for the night.  Ive got my first blister from hiking ever and its massive on the back of my heel...nothing that a little duct tape cant cure :)  The LHHT on these 14 mi was a nice hike with varied terrain from rock surface, open meadow to gravel road.  The first water source was at our shelter from a stream that runs through the camp.  We processed our water using two different UV systems and are all ready for tomorrow and to have dinner.  These shelters have fireplaces so we'll be warm as the temps are expected to get dip into the upper 40s.