Getting away in God’s creation and just taking time out walking with Him is a wonderful experience. There are tons of trails in North-Central West Virginia and South Western Pennsylvania, which afford this experience. Most of the trails that I plan to write about can be found at my AllTrails page: https://www.alltrails.com/members/joe-peters-2/activity.

One can intentionally seek a few peaceful moments with the Lord Jesus, on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT). With only 21 miles left, I’ve nearly completed section hiking this beautiful, lush, and scenically varied walk totaling 70 miles. Stretching from Ohiopyle in the south to the Seward and Johnstown areas of South Western Pennsylvania, our region is reflects by God’s infinite creativity.

One such scene confronted me just south of mile 35 on the LHHT. I could not help but think of the passage from Luke 21:28, “look up, and lift up your

heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

The trail head is located at 631 Fire Tower Road off of PA Route 31. Be careful, that you drive to the second parking lot which will be marked with an Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail sign; the parking lot will be on your left. I also specifically have this trail recorded if you would be interested in hiking this portion sometime: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/lhht-mile-31-parking-lot-to-mile-35.

The connector trail is short leading to a very lush, but well kept trail. In fact, a crew had finished some weed-eating by the time I finished my out and back trip. One of the nice things about the LHHT is that it feels remote, but is close to civilization.

The area reaching mile 31 is initially dense vegetation, but it also yields hemlock groves like the one pictured above. The trails will slope downwards towards the route 31 crossing point.

It’s beautiful sunlit paths like this that are perfect to talk one on one with Jesus. It just seems to me, when the world

is left behind and you can focus one on one with the very God who adopted you into His family you are in the very best of places.

Just beyond mile 32 and beyond the Route 31 there’s a fair bit of noise that sounded a bit like a train, but it also had some heavy equipment. This area is near Hidden Valley Ski area, so I half wondered if it was a chair lift in operation, and perhaps some kind of maintenance, but I’ll simply have to wonder. The noise dies down as you continue further northward. I’d mention that there is a very nice shelter area reasonably close to the trail. On the return trip, I checked it out and found it was, as was the entire trail a very well kept shelter.

Ferns, a small mossy brook, and a bit of elevation change are in store for you as you hike up the mountain between mile 32 and 33. I’m hoping to get somewhat in shape for the rugged and frequently grueling White Mountains from my perspective; (it’s amazing and humbling to see folks in their 80s and children hiking the White Mountains). It’s at such a mountains crest there was yet another cluster of Hemlock.

The trail descends to cross Shaffer Road, passes marker 33, and peacefully keeps pace with a brook to the left of the trail.

From here out, it seems that you are walking beside the lovely white noise of Shaffer Run or its tributaries, and encounter several picturesque log crossings.

Sometimes the scenery opens up to views as the trail rolls along towards

mile 34. The trail crossed a cabin off of Shaffer Run Road, and a it crossed a trail named Mount View Trail. It seemed an odd name to me, because there were no major views on miles 31 to 35 of the LHHT. I had traveled from mile 40 to mile 35 a few weeks ago, and noted certain

landmarks. Mile 34 to 35 climbs yet another significant hill as you cross some creeks and a road at the beginning of the uphill surge. My hands are not very steady nowadays, so I love to share clear pictures. It seems this was not one of them, but the terrain was lovely.

The Lord and I had plenty to discuss on this trip. We just gained another grandson, Asher. He was born early, but praising the Lord today, as of this writing he’s officially off the oxygen. There are also concerns that any pastor has for the people with whom he is blessed. One lady has encountered surgery, one family tragedy, others ongoing illness. A pastor is also concerned about spiritual health, and ultimately, there is only One Person, Jesus Christ that can address these needs. But just as sure as I approached mile 35, there again was my lovely reminder at the top of the blog, “Keep looking up, for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Isn’t it so deeply moving that God in His love adopted us through Jesus Christ? Where there are burdens, the GREAT SHEPHERD knows how to comfort and give grace day by day.

These were steps taken on June 25th, 2018 which will end, and begin anew face to face with Jesus sometime. Until then, guys, “Keep looking up, your redemption draweth nigh.”