Graffiti cleanup set at popular Beam Rocks in Forbes State Forest

Obscenities and other graffiti were spray painted on popular natural overlook Beam Rocks in the last couple weeks.

Volunteers are being sought to help clean up the vandalism June 24, about three years after a similar undertaking at the sandstone outcroppings along the border of Westmoreland and Somerset counties in Forbes State Forest.

“It’s extensive, it’s there again,” said Rachael Mahony, environmental education specialist with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry. “It’s disappointing for all of us that take care of those lands.”

The natural overlook off Laurel Summit Road provides adventurers with a panoramic view of rural Somerset County from atop Laurel Ridge in Lincoln Township. It is just off the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and has been a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers for decades.

It’s also been attractive to vandals over the years.

A large group of volunteers and state employees gathered in August 2020 after the rocks were defaced that spring, during the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. The scenic spot was popular with people seeking to get out of their homes during a statewide lockdown. Before that, the rocks were cleaned of graffiti in the fall of 2019.

Volunteers on June 24 will be using Elephant Snot — a powerful graffiti remover that’s safe for the environment — to scrub spray paint from the rocks. Photos Mahony took show hearts, numbers, letters and what appears to be a spaceship spray painted on the rocks. But she refrained from posting the worst of the vandalism on the Forbes State Forest Facebook page.

“There’s a lot of obscenities and some not great pictures,” Mahony said.

The graffiti is under investigation and tips can be directed to the Forbes State Forest district office at 724-238-1200.

Anyone who wants to volunteer June 24 is encouraged to wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy boots or shoes and eye protection, such as sunglasses or safety glasses. Volunteers will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Laurel Mountain warming hut at 1120 Laurel Summit Road, Boswell. A shuttle will head toward Beam Rocks around 10 a.m. Mahony said she anticipates the clean up lasting until the early afternoon.

Volunteers don’t need to sign up in advance, but anyone who will be doing so with the DCNR for the first time can visit volunteers.dcnr.state.pa.us/index.aspx to complete a conservation volunteer application and avoid filling out paperwork the morning of the clean up.