Lake Wilhelm Trail

12 mile loop in Maurice K Goddard Park State Park in Mercer County

The Lake Wilhelm Trail is a 12 mile loop in Maurice K Goddard Park that circles the southern 6 miles of the lake. On the southern side of the lake it hugs the shoreline offering views of the lake. On the northern side the trail is often in the woods, a short distance from the lake and you only get small glimpses. The trail is not a rail trail, but goes up and down as it crosses the numerous creeks that feed the lake. Some of the creek crossings have steep but short (50 feet) hills on each side. There are also two sections where the trail climbs up and over a ridge line.

Lake Wilhelm Trail

Location In Maurice K Goddard Park, Mercer County

Trailheads Launch Area x.[[xx]]

Length, Surface 12 miles total, 10.0 mi paved trail, 2.0 mi paved road

Character uncrowded, wooded, shady

Usage restrictions No horses, No Snowmobiles]]

Amenities Rest rooms, water, fishing]]

Driving time from Pittsburgh 1 hour 30 minutes north

[[narration in order of mile posts, except GAP]]

[[narration – refer to the trail rather than the trail user. That is “the trail goes” rather than “you go”. That way we’re not giving advice. Bummer that lawyers take away active voice.]]

[[narration]]

[[narration]]

[[narration]]

[[style questions : do we say 6th or 6th (the former, I think)]]

[[Style rules: Routes: I79, US119, PA51, PA978, SR3027, T217. Capitalize Bridge, Road, etc only as part of proper name]]

Local history, attractions

[[[find. Check for Important Bird Areas, historic Indian Trails, major landmarks]]].

Extensions of the ride

[[The northern connection to the next Erie to Pittsburgh Trail segment is …]]

[[The southern connection to the next Erie to Pittsburgh Trail segment is …]]

[[[connection to parent trail, trail network, spur trail, other networks]]].

[[[local low-traffic road loop, route to local attraction, road connection to park loop]]].

Development plans

[[[internal development: closing gaps, extending this trail]]].

[[[connections to parent trail, network]]].

[[[spur trails]]].

[[[other enhancements]]].

Access points

Vicinity: Directions begin headed north on I79 at Exit 130 To reach this point from Pittsburgh, take I79 North

[[One-end]] trailhead: [[from [[point above]], … Usually, at X do Y and go Z miles (and/or to W). But certainly alternate actions with distances and landmarks. Per Canoe Guide with style update, turn left/south on PA999 and go A.A miles to PA999. Turn left/south on PA999 and go A.A miles to PA999 … ]].

[[another]] trailhead: [[from [[point above]], ..]]

[[Other-end]] trailhead: [[from [[point above]], ..]]

Amenities

Rest rooms, water: at the Marina, and each of the launch areas

Bike shop, rentals: None

Restaurant, groceries: None

Camping, simple lodging: Goddard Park VacationLand Campground about 0.5 miles from milepost 0.

Swimming, fishing: fishing in the lake

Winter sports: Snowmobiling, Ice fishing, Ice boating, Cross Country Skiing,

Wheelchair access: ok, except for the steep hills

Trail organization

Maurice K Goddard State Park
684 Lake Wilhelm Rd., Sandy Lake, PA 16145-2310
(412) 257-2328 for voicemail system
(724) 253-4833 for information
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/mauricekgoddard/

Maps, guides, other references

USGS Topographic Maps: Hadley, New Lebanon, Sandy Lake

State Park Brochure

Version

Text version of 03 Jan 2012 based on personal observation while bicycling Dec 2011; Conditions may have changed; you are responsible for your own safety. Oldest segment check 1/1999.