We are very fortunate that the State of Pennsylvania and various conservation groups have bought large forested tracts of land on Blue Mountain to preserve it for future generations.

​

State Game Land #168 is the overall designation of these preserved forests. Since 1920, a million and a half acres of State Game Lands have been acquired by Pennsylvania using money from hunting license fees.

​

These lands are shared by hunters and the non-hunting population for general use year round.  Surveys show that 65% of the users are non-hunters.

These state lands have been used as habitats to reintroduce osprey, river otters, bald eagles and peregrine falcons.

All of the #168 land amounts to 7,716 acres, with 94% of it forested.

​

It is prohibited to do the following on State Game Lands:

1. Camp.

2. Travel on lands using a motorized vehicle.

3. Ride a non-motorized vehicle or animal, except on roads normally open to public travel, routes designated as such, or while lawfully hunting or trapping.

4. Ride a non-motorized vehicle or animal during any open season, except when lawfully hunting or trapping.

5. Injure, destroy, or cause damage to property of any kind.

6. Remove or attempt to remove any man-made or natural object, except wildlife and fish lawfully taken.

7. Consume, possess, or transport any alcohol, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.

8. Occupy, construct, or maintain structures or other property, except portable tree stands or blinds, provided no damage is caused to trees.

9. Except on Sundays, be present from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest, and back combined, visible from 360 degrees.  This applies even to individuals who are not hunting and trapping.

​

To the west near Little Gap, a huge portion of Blue Mountain's north face is the Blue Mountain ski resort.  The resort is open year round featuring skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing in the winter and, during the summer, mountain biking, summer camp for kids 5 to 15, glamping (for folks who like the outdoors but want comfort), basic camping, group camping, disc golf and scenic lift rides.  Their website provides a webcam that we often use while away to monitor the weather.

Return to your car and prepare to retrace your “steps”, but this time down hill.  As exciting as going up the hill was, coming back down will be twice as exciting.

 

There will be incredible views (especially in the winter).  Keep your foot on the brake. When you reach Lower Smith Gap Road you will make a left onto it at the stop sign (15.5m).  

 

Eventually you will see a bridge ahead of you - the former Smith Gap One-Room School is to your left, somewhat secluded and now incorporated into the larger building which is a private home.