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.

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...

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.

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.

Ice Fishing - Allegheny Reservoir