Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

Ski Touring

16 km of trails

Ski touring trails, no grooming, beginner to moderate. High elevation location that receives abundant snowfall.

Directions | Trail Map | Website

Information from a Skier who frequents location:

The Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Cresson or, as the locals call it, the "Lemon House," has a high elevation. Deadfall cleared and generally wood chipped hiking trails that are free to use by parking in the day use area. Trails are marked for the most part, and the trails are open for hikers and snowshoeing as well. Even with these other user groups, post-holing and classic track destruction is generally not an issue here. There is no grooming, and no services available. (Cresson is not far away). However, you are rewarded with multi directional rolling terrain, while not secluded in the wilderness (you can hear Rt.22 just about anywhere you ski), the skiing is quite good for not being groomed and for no fee.

If you haven't skied here before, beginners can find trails, such as the old rail bed, Incline 6 Trail, a great opportunity to kick and glide to hone their skills. Rolling trails that can range from beginner (near the picnic area) to medium difficulty (loop trail that exists off the Incline 6 Trail towards the northernmost park boundary), to more difficulty (6 to 10 Trail from wheelhouse towards Skew Arch) keeps things interesting. Trail maintenance is very good throughout the year, and no bicycles or motorized transport is permitted, so the trail erosion and damage is not an issue. Snow is not in short supply at the Cresson Summit, so if you look outside and you only have a dusting, take a look a the Penn DOT cameras for Cresson Summit or Gallitzin Interchange camera and watch the weather, because good skiing may be closer than you think.