Allegheny Reservoir Paddle Trip - Roper Hollow to the Hodge

A bunch of the AO summer crew enjoyed a BEAUTIFUL paddle this morning on the Allegheny Reservoir. We departed Roper Hollow launch (or what wasn't submerged, lol) and paddled a couple miles to explore the north and south sections of the Hodge. High water levels made for interesting scenery. We kayaked through the forest on parts of the trip. A SUPER day! The batteries are recharged.

Another One Bites The Dust

As predicted, I was able to get out and climb for a few hours today. BTO was rockin', "Don't bring me down," on the radio as I headed out. I met up with my friend, Brian, for some bouldering at Rimrock. The gnats were out, but the temps were great and the rocks were dry. We threw down on a project that Brian had scoped out last fall. It was great to be outside -- on real rock -- and we had a good session. On the way home Queen was jammin', "Another one bites the dust." Very appropriate as the project saw it's first ascent. Name: Murphy. Grade: V7.

The art of climbing in the rain

The foreseeable future is partially cloudy with a 30% chance of rain. Welcome to climbing in the ANF. Still, this is not enough to stop the experienced climber. I've been able to get out a couple of times this spring. The climbing has been great, and I've got my eye on tomorrow afternoon... Oh yeah, I'll be hittin' the woods.

Still, the wet weather has kept me indoors more than I'd like. That's why you need a good indoor haunt. And... I just snagged some new, rad climbing holds from AO. My brother, Nate, and I just put them up in my garage last night. We set a new route that is all the madness!

Climbing Rocks!

Hector Falls - Allegheny National Forest

All this rain may delay getting on the river, but there's plenty more to do! We got our bikes tuned-up at Allegheny Cyclery, and are heading out on a bike ride to Hector Falls in the Allegheny National Forest.

I've been quite a few times but this was the most water I've seen coming over them. Beautiful! We spent a couple hours hiking around and exploring a few caves. There was enough water to create some really cool streams under and through rock formations. I was thankful I wore my gaiters. :) Check out the pics!

To get there: From Warren go East on Rt. 6 to Ludlow (17 miles). Turn right onto South Hillside Avenue (also called South Hillside Road). At the T make a left onto Water Street, then your next right onto Scenic Drive. Cross the railroad tracks and follow FR 133 for 1 mile. Turn right onto FR 258 and go 2.1 miles until you reach gated FR 258H on your left. Park at the gate. (41'41.712N, 78'58.845'W)

When you reach the Y in the road (trail), head to the left down the steady decline. The road ends at a gas well in a grassy glade. To the right are a set of small boulders. This trail leads to Hector Falls, a short hike from this point.

Or you can stop in at Allegheny Outfitters outdoors store at 430 Pennsylvania Avenue West in Warren, PA to pick up a set of directions.

Spring Climbing on Hilltop

It appears that Mother Nature is going to insist on a wet spring. Avid climbers will have to be alert and quick to action if they want to have any chance of catching rocks dry enough to climb. Yesterday, my brother, Nate, and I did just that as we braved the steep hike to Hilltop for a brief bouldering session. Some of the rocks were still soaked, and patches of snow lurked in the shadowy places amid the boulders. Temperatures were balmy 45 degrees… and we loved every minute of it!

Allegheny Outfitters Outdoors store and Wilderness Trip Planning Center opens!

This spring, a longtime dream of ours became a reality when we opened the Allegheny Outfitters Company Store and Wilderness Trip Planning Center in downtown Warren. 

The store will carries gear for backpacking, adventure racing, camping, canoeing, kayaking, climbing and more, from brands like Old Town, Necky, Wenonah, Deuter, GoLite, MSR, CamelBak, North Face, Nathan, KAVU, Seal Line, Therm-A-Rest, Outdoor Research, Keen and Vibram, among others.

The Wilderness Trip Planning Center, located in the store, is a free resource for anyone who is looking to take an adventure down the Allegheny River or in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). It includes a large table, and walls covered in maps of the ANF and Allegheny River. In addition, three-dimensional topographical maps of popular trails and recreation areas in the ANF are available so users can see the elevation changes they will face on their trip, water sources they can expect to run across and other details pertinent to wilderness trip planning.

The store is a big step for our family and staff and we want it to be a force for good in our region. We hope you’ll come check it out and get involved!

See you on the river and down the trail...

Brokenstraw Creek trip report - April 18, 2011

Some days it just feels good to battle the elements. Yesterdays kayak trip down Brokenstraw Creek was no exception. The air temp read 41 as we put in off Cemetery Road in Spring Creek, on our way to our take out in Pittsfield on Davey Hill Road. The gage height was just over 4.5 in Youngsville, up from our trip a few days earlier. It took us roughly 2 hours, 15 minutes to reach our destination 6 miles down creek, through rain, snow, and a few portages around strainer-infested waters.

This section of creek is much more challenging than the previous and I would not recommend it for an inexperienced paddler. In spots, the creek would split into 4 or 5 different channels and we played "choose your own adventure" as we maneuvered our way through and around large trees and debris piled from spring floods. At times we found ourselves having to turn around and paddle back up stream to try an alternate route. In one section we attempted three routes before having to portage through an island a couple hundred yards.

Almost went completely in the drink at one point, lol. Coming around a bend I saw an enormous bald eagle on the ground (literally, wings wooshing right next to me, you could see he was just as startled as I was) and took my eye off the ball. The current got me, spit me sideways, and the lean scooped up a quarter of a kayak worth of refreshing water, lol. I just kept thinking... this will feel really good in a couple months when it's scorching HOT outside! An awesome encounter with an eagle though... glass half full, eh?

Overall, great, challenging trip. Enjoyed seeing eagle, heron, merganser and wood duck, and exploring on what would have been a miserable day inside, looking at the doom and gloom weather outside. We're fighting back - and playing regardless of what the weather brings us! :D


Please remember, be safe, take a friend along for company, and let someone know where you're going and when you plan to return.

Brokenstraw Creek Trip Report - April 15, 2011

We enjoyed an early morning paddle on the Brokenstraw Creek today! We put in at the bridge on Davey Hill Road in Pittsfield and took out in Irvine, roughly 4.5 miles. It took us 1 hour 35 minutes, with a water level gage height just above 4.0 in Youngsville.

The Brokenstraw is often times too low for paddling, so it's best paddled in spring or when flood waters have calmed in the summer. The creek drops roughly 12 feet per mile between Garland and the Allegheny, the greatest fall of all canoeable water in the county. A change from the Allegheny or Conewango!

We scouted for strainers along the creek prior to launch. For those not familiar, strainers are formed when an object blocks the passage of larger objects but allows the flow of water to continue - like a big food strainer or colander. Downed trees are the most common strainer along creeks and rivers, and there were plenty of them today. A couple tricky spots unfolded as we rounded corners. Behind the high school there's a stretch of creek that's textbook for learning to read the river. A number of large rocks just barely covered with water dot this section.

We saw merganser, kingfisher, geese, wood ducks, eagle and osprey. All in all, a WONDERFUL paddle! Summer is on the way!!

2011 Climbing Season is Upon Us

The 2011 climbing season has emerged in the wake of spring snow, and I'm psyched! Now that my elbow is on the mend (knock on wood) I've hit the plastic, and Brian and I have been able to exploit couple of windows in the wintry weather to go bouldering at Rimrock. The gate is still closed but the new trail is much quicker than walking the road.

I'm also looking forward to meeting with other outdoor nutz to discuss the local climbing scene on April 18th and 23rd at Allegheny Outfitters.

Wake up with the Allegheny River...

Allegheny River canoe rentals with free trip planning!

We're getting into the spring swing at Allegheny Outfitters and Indian Waters, assisting folks in planning their 2010 Allegheny River canoe and kayak trips. Thus far, we've had trips range from 2 hours to 2 weeks, combining canoeing, kayaking, backpacking and biking. Let us know if we can help you get out there! Until then, here are some spring river pictures. See you on the river...

Allegheny River near Warren, PA

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Muskrat hole along the Allegheny with evidence of a tasty meal...

Hector Falls, Allegheny National Forest

Hiked down to Hector Falls today in the Allegheny National Forest. If you're looking for one of those "hidden treasures" in the ANF, this won't disappoint.

Green is starting to cover the forest floor and flowers are popping up through the fall leaves. I was surprised at the steady water from Hector Run trickling over t...he 22-foot tall falls considering we haven't had rain in quite a while. The kids had a blast checking out the falls, Hector Run and climbing through the other large rocks in the area. We're excited to return this summer!

From the upper gate this hike is roughly 2 miles downhill. The upper gate was open, so we were able to park in the lower section, making for a super quick hike of just a few minutes... and more time to play!

Spring fever in the form of a stonefly!

I've told myself I'll attempt to dip at least a finger in the Allegheny every day I live next to it. Before making my walk down to the river Sunday morning my husband came through the door full of excitement and announced that winter stoneflies are in full swing. As a fisherman, this sort of thing is second nature and of no big surprise to him, not to take away from his enthusiasm, of course. To me, though, this is an amazing event that I'm excited to share...

We (my husband, three kiddos ages five, six and nine, and myself) were quick to throw on our snow pants and boots and rush out the door to check out our latest river action. Yep, you guessed it... we've got spring fever pretty bad! All summer long we see critters of all shapes and sizes along the river on a daily basis, but spring makes us really appreciate the Allegheny River more than ever.

Stone flies are quick little buggers - on a mission as they scurry across the snow faster than my digital camera can focus in on their tiny little bodies (under 15mm). A slight wind swoops them away faster than you can bat an eye. Luckily we found one that was dormant, having just shed it's skin to become an adult. After snapping numerous pictures, we decided to do some research to figure out just how these little critters can hatch and survive in such harsh conditions, and what exactly it means that they are prevalent along the Allegheny River year round.

Here's what we found:

Nymphs climb out of the water and shed their skins to become adults. This is usually in late winter. The adults live just long enough to mate and lay their eggs. The nymphs hatch shortly and feed for a while before going into diapause (a hibernation-like state) from mid-spring until fall. Their main period of growth and activity is fall and winter.

The defining need of winter stonefly nymphs is for very high levels of oxygen in the water. Warm temperatures, excessive organic matter, and many pollutants all reduce oxygen levels. The result: they're only active in the coldest part of the year and are very sensitive to pollution.

Their main interest to humans is as an indicator species: you can tell that water is unpolluted if stoneflies live there. They also provide food for trout - though not as much as species active when trout are themselves more active in warmer parts of the year.

All in all, it was a super fun adventure... the kids all tracking down and following stoneflies in every direction to see where they might nest to shed their skins. At one point while walking through the path we'd made through about a foot of snow across the lawn, my six year old exclaimed, "be careful... share the road with the stoneflies... don't smoosh them!" We did finally capture a stonefly shed it's skin on tape. Please check it out on YouTube here.

Ahhh... what a life along the Allegheny River.

North Country Trail - Allegheny National Forest: North Branch Sugar Run (321) to Route 59, Pennsylvania

What a day... a beautfiul 3.5 mile hike from North Branch Sugar Run to Route 59 on the North Country Trail. Five minutes in we realized we'd underestimated the snow depth and wished we'd brought the snowshoes. (Note to self: keep those in car at all times!) Temperatures in the mid 30s made for a super challenging hike through wet, knee-deep (and sometimes waist-deep) snow the entire trail. The adventure of a winter forest more than made up for the hard workout.

The trail takes you alongside and across Hammond Run (pictured above), a beautiful stream that boasts a couple pristine camping spots. Enormous hemlock trees towering over the trail warranted a break to take them in (above). Numerous geocaches along the way can add an extra adventure to the trip.

Snow covered trees made spotting blazes tough in spots (below). Beginner hiking tip: a tree with a double blaze (two paint marks) indicates a change of direction, or that the trail is leaving an obvious path. After you spot a double blaze, watch carefully for the next blaze. If you go more than a few steps without seeing a blaze, you may have left the trail. Stop and retrace your steps.

Starting from Sugar Run Road (321), total elevation change was roughly 800'. The uphill climb could easily be turned around to work in your favor by hiking this trail in the reverse direction, beginning your hike at Route 59 and ending at North Branch Sugar Run.

Woodchuck Shadows

It looks like that woodchuck in 'Punks-a-tawny' is right about his prediction of a late spring, the temperatures are creeping up but it keeps snowing, leaving the woods a sticky, mushy mess that makes offroad mountain biking futile.  Treehugger Rob and myself had a nice 20 mile mountain-bike-ride-on-a-road down Dunn's Eddy road early this morning, every branch of every tree was carefully stacked with wet, heavy snow.  Without a doubt there is just a bit of spring in the air because the crisp, squeaky dry cold snow of February is already feeling more like mushy wet March snow.               

WNYMBA Swap Meet

On March 28th, the Northern Allegheny Mountain Bike Association (NAMBA) will be attending the WNYMBA Swap Meet in Williamsville NY. They are participating in this event as a fund raiser for trail building and advocacy projects, and are looking for donations of old bikes, parts, gear or any other biking related items. This is an easy way to help the cause.

If you would like to donate please email Brad at bluezman_65@yahoo.com, or call (814) 688-0531. Arrangements to pick up donations can be made.

North Country Trail - Allegheny National Forest: Willow Bay to North Branch Sugar Run, Pennsylvania

A super day for a winter hike! Blue skies and temperatures around 25 degrees made for a comfortable trip. We set out to hike the North Country Trail from Willow Bay to a parking area near North Branch Sugar Run, in what was supposed to be a 10 mile trip, but turned out to be more of a 15 miler after taking the scenic route through Hopewell.

I've finally got the winter clothing down to a science... I was dry and comfortable the entire 9-hour hike with only a couple light layers. Plenty of snacks and a 70 oz Camelbak kept me hydrated and energized.

It's amazing how much movement goes on in the woods during the winter... footprints of all shapes and sizes running in all directions. There are some busy critters out there...

Numerous campsites along the trail will make for some excellent camping this spring and summer. A couple sites are set along a promising fishing stream, many others are just along the Allegheny Reservoir.

Through quite a few elevation changes, the trail gave us a nice workout when it was all said and done. A number of trail maps were no longer readable due to animals, so having the GPS handy as a backup is recommended (especially on a winter hike when there's not quite so many daylight hours). Portions of the trail were on somewhat of a steep mountainside, which made for tricky footwork in the snow, and stunning views of the Allegheny Reservoir at the peaks.  

I'd absolutely recommend this trail. Be safe, take a friend along for company, and let someone know where you're hiking and when you plan to return.

Subaru Leave No Trace Trainer Course offered

Allegheny Outfitters is partnering with the Subaru Leave No Trace training team this spring to offer a two-day condensed trainer course. Participants will learn basic concepts and prepare to teach Leave No Trace curriculum in a variety of settings including schools, camps, parks and wilderness areas. Cost is $75 per participant, which covers all training materials, meals for the weekend, group equipment and canoeing/camping fees. Course dates: May 8-9, 2010. Learn more here.

XC Skiing

Cold. Cold. Cold. The last week has been a cold and nasty one but at least the snow gods gave us some more of the white stuff. With the new snow on the ground I decided it was time to go out and use the new skis that I've been drooling over for two weeks. So I headed out to Gardner Rocks in the afternoon. The snow was not that deep but there was a decent base on the road so I didn't destroy my new skis. Had a great ski and hope that we receive much more snow so that i can get out in the woods and do some off trail skiing.

Ice Fishing - Allegheny Reservoir