Hiking Trails in Pennsylvania

Experience the Geographical & Historical Significance of Mt. Davis

May 26, 2009 Christine Musser

Located in Somerset County, Mt. Davis, which is Pennsylvania's highest point, is rich in history and nature. Hikers are able to reach the summit without difficulty.

Mt. Davis stands more than 3,200 feet above sea level, which is not overly high compared to other mountain points, still Mt. Davis has a uniqueness of its own that is worth checking out.

Geological Significance of Mt. Davis, Pennsylvania

Visible to hikers at the base of the summit’s lookout tower are unique rock formations that occurred due to the rotation of freezing and thawing that took place over the last thousands of years.

The vegetation on top of the mountain is somewhat stunted due to the irregularities in climate. The yearly averages are as follows:

Temperature from 30 below to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
Rainfall ranges from 38 to 42 inches
Mid-winter snow depths can reach 3 to 4 feet

History and Legends of Pennsylvania's Highest Point

Mt. Davis is located on Negro Mountain and gets its name from John N. Davis, a Civil War veteran, surveyor, naturalist, and former owner of the mountain named for him.

Negro Mountain is named for a black slave, Nemesis, who lost his life to Native Americans during the French and Indian War. According to first hand accounts, Nemesis showed bravery, during his fight against the Indians, and is buried in an unmarked grave on the mountain.

Another story that takes place on the mountain is about a little girl by the name of Lydia Shultz who went to gather cows from the woods and became lost. The locals went searching for her and at times Lydia hid from them. When she was found months later she was as wild as the animals she lived with. While lost, Lydia lived off wild berries and “other foods that nature provided”.

There is an area on Mt. Davis that is called Baughman Rocks. The story behind the naming of the rocks is one day a father and his two sons go to the summit to locate stray cows. While on the summit the father becomes furious with his young son, August, who hampered the search by moving too slow, so the father picks up a stick and hits August. August falls to the ground and is unconscious. The father, thinking he killed his son, hid him amongst the rocks. Later when the father returned, his son’s body was missing.

Henry Baughman was arrested for his son’s murder and convicted after his older son testified against him. August’s body was never found.

Mt. Davis Hiking Trails

Mt. Davis has several hiking trails and is considered as moderate. The trails are as follows:

High Point Trail - 0.8 mile
Mt. Davis Trail - 0.1 mile
Shelter Rock Trail - 1.0 mile.
Tub Mill Run Trail - 2.8 mile (rocky)
Timberslide Trail - 0.5 mile.
Laurel Run Trail - 1.9 mile
Wolf Rock Trail - 0.8 miles
Shelter Rock Road - 1.6 mile
Livengood Trail - 1.1 miles

Fallingwater is Nearby

Fallingwater – name of home built by Frank Lloyd Wright
Ohiopyle – white water rafting
Flight 93 Memorial
Fort Necessity & Jumonville – French & Indian War history

Sources:

Young, John. Hike PA. Charlotteville, Beachway Press Publishing, Inc., 2002

The copyright of the article Hiking Trails in Pennsylvania in Backpacking, Hiking & Camping is owned by Christine Musser. Permission to republish Hiking Trails in Pennsylvania in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.