Wilderness Lodge - Directions Made Easy
by Martha Brennan

I recently drove to Wilderness Lodge in February, 2004 and was quite proud of not getting lost or stuck in a snow bank as happened to another Ohio Nordic and me earlier this season. Wilderness is nestled on an isolated country road in rural Pennsylvania. Should you get lost, you could drive for miles looking for a person. Even if you manage to find someone, there's a good chance they aren't familiar with Wilderness as I discovered when I stopped for directions at "Colt Station Restaurant" within a few miles of Wilderness. Having been to Wilderness 3 times and having gotten lost 2/3 times, the need for directions became apparent. Despite these fool-proof directions, Wilderness will hopefully remain a well-kept secret. This article is dedicated to anyone and everyone who has ever gotten lost trying to find Wilderness Lodge.

Wilderness is a charming family-operated bed and breakfast with groomed trails in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania in the heart of snow country. If you are thinking of staying the night, book early as groups reserve weekends up to a year in advance.

From Wilderness, you can ski both east and west of the lodge on rolling trails. The bulk of trails lie east across Weeks Valley Road. As you ski east, you will cross over into New York and come to a second road marking the border of Peak-n-Peek , an alpine resort two steps up from Brandywine and Boston Mills. Don't bother going to Peak-n-Peek unless you plan to break trail because they only groom once a year for the xc portion of the quad race.

Wilderness is a great one-day road trip for Clevelanders looking for knee-deep snow and groomed trails. If you spend the night, why not Nordic ski at Wilderness the first day and alpine ski at Peak-n-Peek the next day. For even more challenging alpine terrain, head toward Jamestown, New York on I 86 about 1 hour (65 miles) to HoliMont or Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, New York. For more Nordic skiing, check out the trails at Art Roscoe Cross Country Ski area near Salamanca, New York. Think of Wilderness as the gateway to the snow covered Allegheny Mountains in upstate New York.
If you are lucky enough to ski on a weekend, eating lunch at Wilderness in the lodge is choice as the food is hearty and reasonably priced. The locally produced maple syrup sold in the rental shop is outstanding. I recommend calling in advance of departure to confirm ski/road conditions, snow base and grooming.

www.thewildernesslodge.net
Select the directions link and print directions to have a visual.

Wilderness Lodge Phone number: 814-739-2946
Trip time: 118 Miles 2hours 13 minutes

Select directions A or B as appropriate.
1. You drive a manual car, See directions A
2. You drive a manual car, but you don't like using all your gears, See directions B.
3. You have no compass and no sense of direction, See directions B.
4. You like hills and find sliding on ice thrilling, See directions A.
5. You like roads with bumps or you drive well under the speed limit, See directions B.
6. Select B if the road conditions are icy, snowy, and treacherous even if you drive a manual transmission.
7. Select A if there is no snow or ice and you want to go faster than 15 mph.

Directions A (Hills and Thrills)
1. Take 90 East toward Erie (90 miles).
2. Take 90 East past Erie about 12 miles.
3. Exit on 1-86 E via exit number 37 toward Jamestown. Go about 2 miles.
3. Merge on to PA 89 South toward Wattsburg.
4. You will pass 430, and several other roads.
5. Turn Left onto Kimball road. Go 2.83 miles. Although Kimball road is very hilly, the lack of oncoming traffic helps decrease the fear factor. You will pass Macedonia road and then soon after you will turn right on to Weeks Valley Road. The lodge is on the right about 1/4 mile down the road. There may not be any cars in the parking lot depending on the day of the week. They are closed Tuesdays. There is NO sign. It is the second building on the road.

Directions B (Flat and Bumpy)
Nancy Janes, owner of the Wilderness Lodge, recommended Directions B because: "People don't like the hills on Kimball in bad weather."

1. Take 90 East toward Erie (90 miles).
2. Take 90 East past Erie about 12 miles.
3. Exit on 1-86 E via exit number 37 toward Jamestown. Go about 2 miles.
3. Merge on to PA 89 South toward Wattsburg. Go less than a mile.
4. Turn left onto 430. The intersection of 89 and 430 is marked by a traffic light and a diner called "Colt Station Restaurant" on the right.
5. Take 430 about a mile and you will see a large yellow house on the right caddy corner.
6. Turn right onto Ashton Corners which will become Macedonia. This road has more holes than Normandy beach especially on the bridge. Drive slower than 20 mph if you love your car. The road is unpaved or it had a lot of mud on it.
7. Continue on Macedonia until you hit Kimball. Turn left and go a short distance. Turn right onto Weeks Valley Road and go a short distance. The road sign is on the left. The lodge is the second building on the right.