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View Poll Results: Which Park do you Prefer?
Moraine State Park 2 18.18%
Ohiopyle State Park 9 81.82%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 06-24-2012, 07:04 AM
 
Location: Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh, PA
32,616 posts, read 77,586,970 times
Reputation: 19101

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So I realize this is VERY last minute, but I am about to enjoy the rare day off from both of my frenetically-paced jobs and would like to trudge out of the city and out past the suburban hinterlands (where there be dragons) to enjoy the serenity of nature. Can any of my fellow Pittsburghers in Paradise who have been to both of these state parks---Moraine and Ohiopyle---steer me in the right direction? I realize Moraine is a bit closer, but Ohiopyle would also offer the opportunity to veer into Ligonier or Greensburg for dinner whereas Moraine is near----Cranberry Township? I'm looking to hike (definitely) and potentially kayak. Are there places to rent kayaks in both areas? Is my understanding correct that you can't really kayak in Ohiopyle due to the rapids?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 06-24-2012, 07:25 AM
 
Location: Mid-Atlantic
12,529 posts, read 17,539,142 times
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Go with Ohiopyle. Moraine is nice but does not have all the activities you would be looking for.
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Old 06-24-2012, 07:32 AM
 
2,236 posts, read 2,975,439 times
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SteelCity,

If memory serves me correctly, Ohiopyle has pretty descent rock climbing opportunities, that is if you're into that.
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Old 06-24-2012, 08:21 AM
 
531 posts, read 501,343 times
Reputation: 488
Moraine isn't all that near Cranberry. It's more like Cranberry is on the way, and it's still about a 25 minute drive from there to the North Shore bike rental place. It's very nice; I go there all the time. But it's more of a family picnicking kind of a park (flat lake, paved trails, many picnic areas). Very grandma-friendly. McConnells Mills next door is better for hiking.

Ohiopyle. You can't kayak the main falls right in the center of town, but you can kayak either the middle Yough (very easy -- class I/II) or the lower Yough (class II/III). You can rent a kayak from any of the outfitters right in Ohiopyle. I've used Wilderness Voyageurs before and their service is great, but double check the equipment they give you. I once got a bike with handlebars that came loose halfway through the ride.
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Old 06-24-2012, 08:42 AM
 
11,086 posts, read 8,540,936 times
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Because this came up in my family this week, I'm gonna mention it. Make sure you protect yourself from deer ticks when you're out 'enjoying nature'.

We went to the Westmoreland Bluegrass festival last weekend, where my sister was bitten by a tick. She came home with a 1/2 inch diameter welt on her thigh, which grew to be a 6 inch diameter welt within a few days. She went to the hospital on Wednesday and was diagnosed with Lyme Disease on Friday or so. She had several IV courses of antibiotics and is now on 20 day regime of oral antibiotics.

Nasty freaking surprise.
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Old 06-24-2012, 08:54 AM
 
377 posts, read 651,970 times
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You can kayak at Moraine as well. You can rent kayaks and other boats. Are you an experienced kayaker? Moraine is easy. Parts of Ohiopyle can be very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing.

Moraine is nice for relaxing and has a good bike trail. Ohiopyle has more to do for sure though. Have a good day. Looks beautiful out!
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Old 06-24-2012, 08:57 AM
 
43,011 posts, read 108,013,252 times
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Good reminder, Goinback!

Hubby got Lyme Disease in March. The bugger had died inside him, was there for a week.

The only way to protect yourself is to:

1) wear long sleves and long pants in light colors.
2) avoiding wooded and bushy areas and high grass
3) complete body check after coming home. (This can be fun for couples!)
4) remove any ticks promptly and appropriately.

The biggest problem isn't getting bitten by a tick, but the tick remaining for an extended period of time (like hubby's was there for a week).
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Old 06-24-2012, 09:02 AM
 
43,011 posts, read 108,013,252 times
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If you're choosing one park over the other merely based on Lyme Disease, Ohiopyle would be the best choice of the two.



American Lyme Disease Foundation
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Old 06-24-2012, 09:12 AM
 
Location: Wilkinsburg
1,657 posts, read 2,689,425 times
Reputation: 994
SCR,

I'm not familiar with Moraine, but Ohiopyle is a beautiful park and driving up through Ligonier is a peaceful drive. Not sure how much time you'll have but Linn Run, which is right outside Ligonier, is another nice park. Anyway, enjoy your trip, and if you do head out to Ohiopyle via Ligonier, be careful around Latrobe as the airshow is today and there is likely to be a little traffic.
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Old 06-24-2012, 11:25 AM
 
Location: southwestern PA
22,568 posts, read 47,624,621 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ML North View Post
SCR,

I'm not familiar with Moraine, but Ohiopyle is a beautiful park and driving up through Ligonier is a peaceful drive. Not sure how much time you'll have but Linn Run, which is right outside Ligonier, is another nice park. Anyway, enjoy your trip, and if you do head out to Ohiopyle via Ligonier, be careful around Latrobe as the airshow is today and there is likely to be a little traffic.

Yesterday there was a LOT of traffic... some people sat on Route 30 for over 90 minutes just to get to the airport.

The show ends around 4pm... it will be backed up for a while again.
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