• What to do: Some 50,000 acres of Forbes State Forest occupy 20 separate tracts of state forest lands in Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. Named for the 18th century British general whose expedition built the military road from Bedford to Fort Pitt, the state forest is mostly on Laurel Ridge, and its lands include six state parks and three state forest picnic areas separated by undeveloped areas. Cross-country skiers are taking advantage of the snow at Jones Mill Run -- Roaring Run Natural Area (about six miles east of Donegal, on Route 31 on Fire Tower Road), the North Woods section of Forbes State Forest (eight miles east of Donegal on Route 31, Tunnel Road), Kooser State Park (nine miles east of Donegal on Route 31) and throughout the Laurel Highlands. Ski patrol security on weekends; check conditions on the Laurel Ridge Webcam at www.paccsa.org/webcam.htm.

• Contact: 724-238-6623.

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