Bedford County Highpoint Trip Report

Blue Knob (3,120+ ft)

Date: September 16, 2006
Author: Don Desrosiers

This one is straightforward. Take PA 869 (exit 7 from I-99) and follow the signs. About the only tricky part is that at 3.6 miles from Pavia (town motto: "You would think there would be something here. You would be wrong.") there is a NJ turn (go left to turn right). Otherwise, keep driving until you run out of hill. It is 24 minutes from the Interstate, probably a bit longer during ski season.

As for the actual HP, the area has been developed, so a good faith effort is required. The middle ski lift is the highest thing but clearly manmade. The area where the ski school meets has potential. It is entirely your call on this one.

Now, about the actual height. I also saw the 3172 foot sign on the lodge. The state park brochure put out by the PA Department of Recreation and Natural Conservation lists the height as 3,146 feet (second highest point in PA). The pdf copy of Elevations in Pennsylvania (Info Circular No 4) (1954, 3rd printing, 1973) from the Department of Environmental Resources lists 3136. Based on standing in the parking lot at the top, I would estimate in the 3128 range, depending on exactly what point is chosen.

I made several inquiries of the state to see where they got their figures and haven't gotten a definitive response. If anything comes of this, I'll post it. A copy of the pdf file is available on request.