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.

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...

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!

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.

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.

Tom's Run Loop & Tanbark Trail

 

Heart's Content Echo Forest - Tom's Run Loop

Heart's Content Tom's Run Loop 1-13-2010

The four of us rode up to Heart's Content in the Allegheny National Forest for a winter hike on 1-13-2010. We parked next to the trail head and took a look at the maps on the edge of the parking lot to help us decide which trail to take. Since the snow was about a foot deep and only one of us had snowshoes we decided to take the 3.5 mile Tom's Run loop. This trail, like all of the trails at heart's content, doubles as a cross-country skiing trail. We weren't the first to take this loop since last time it snowed so it was easy to find the start. We headed down the branch that enters the large stand of red pines first. I was told that this stand of evenly planted evergreens is called the echo forest for its symmetry. We pretty much stuck to the trail except to check out a few large boulder outcroppings that are hard to see and a tough hike to get to in the summer months. We did find a porcupine den that showed some cool signs of activities. I think we got some pictures and I will post them if any of them turned out. As we were ending the trip my boots were starting to get to me. My hiking boots took a turn for the worst this summer so I had to use my heavy winter boots. The extra weight took a toll on my legs and reminded me how important equipment is in the winter. The hike that normally would have just be the beginning of a workout turned out to be all I could handle comfortably.