The Crucible Hike

The 70-mile hiking trail stretches along the picturesque Laurel Mountains from the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown, PA where you can hike along a rocky footpath and dirt road through mountain laurel to the edge of a 1,000-foot gorge at 2,400 feet to the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle – located at the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, encompassing rugged natural beauty providing some of the best whitewater in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery.

The Crucible hikers will have access to overnight shelter areas with food, medical attention and plenty of campfires and stories – where new friendships will be forged. The physical and mental challenges associated with the 3-day event mirror the timeless military credo – “we’re all together on this”.

Hikers will spend the night at base camp on Thursday, 11 September and the 70 Mile Hike will start bright and early on Friday, 12 September and end the afternoon of 14 September.  The first day each hiker will hike 24 miles, the second day each hiker will hike 27 miles, and the last day each hiker will hike 19 miles.  The 11 mile sprint will take place on Sunday, 14 September.