W5 2008 update:
The portion of Laurel Run from Section 4 North N-S MilePoint 3.15 to MP 4.96 was particularly difficult for hikers due to laurel and rhododendron jungles as well as blow-downs. We cleared it and blazed it well during W5 in June 2008. The forest along the Allegheny Trail is changing rapidly due to major gypsy moth infestations. From a vantage point atop Allegheny Mountain at the edge of a clear-cut, we could see many defoliated acres of forest. Under our feet were partially eaten leaves recently dropped from the trees surrounding us. This will undoubtedly create sunny, brushy conditions for a long time. Bear sign abounded along Laurel Run, including two wallows right on the trail and numerous bark scratchings (above my head). I recommend bear-bagging along this segment of the trail, since the sign indicates there is a very territorial big boar bear in the area.
We also freshened blazes south of I-64 along Brushy Mountain. This portion of trail currently dead-ends just south of McAllister Field, but for a weekend get-away, it is a pretty nice hike, approx. 1.6 miles to the meadow along mostly a grassy, gated forest access road. We blazed the old trail to a point at the edge of a major burn on the south end of Brushy Mtn. near the CSX RR line.
Along Peters Mtn., we refreshed blazes and cleared brush south of Hanging Rock for a couple of miles (Sect. 4-South disjunct N-S MPs10.76-12.86. The forest looks very different after the looper moth infestations of a decade or so ago. Hay-scented fern is extremely abundant in the savannah-like forest atop the ridge. Gypsy moth caterpillars are taking their turn at the canopy, so the future may bring even more balds along the trail. The Groundhog Trail in Monroe County (trailhead for both Allegheny & Appalachian Trails) is in good shape on the lower half. It still needs tread-work on the upper half, but it is clear of brush and well-blazed.
I have no other reports on other portions of Section 4, but I suspect numerous areas could use touch-up blazing, and I doubt not that blow-downs and brushy zones exist. Use common sense, use your guidebook, use your compass, and look for faded blazes before you decide which way to go in a confusing situation.
SECTION 4 UPDATE NOVEMBER 2009
By Doug Wood
As of the summer of 2009, Laurel Run & Allegheny Mountain MPs 00.00-15.63 were passable, with few blowdowns to negotiate, and a good deal of recent blaze touch-ups. The southern terminus of the Peters Mtn. segment at the junction with the Appalachian Trail, probably still has a few blowdowns that require roll-over negotiation. We have decided not to remove these blowdowns in order to prevent illegal ATV access to the AT. Unless some unknown chainsaw wielder has worked at that spot, you will likely need to scoot over the large tree trunks. Yeah, yeah, in a perfect (and unlimited funding world) we could cut through the blowdowns, install trail-cams, post a law enforcement officer on site, call in air strikes, etc. The course of action chosen seems the best alternative right now. The trail in the vicinity of Hanging Rock at MPs 8.37-10.36 is fairly clear of underbrush and blowdowns as of September 2009, thanks to Brian Hirt.”