Ice Fishing - Allegheny Reservoir

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.

Grass Roots Racing Jan 2010 Adventure Race

This newly formatted two day race will prove to be as fun as it is challenging, and will highlight all the varied terrain that Warren County has to offer. Compete as a team of two, or as a relay team of up to four in this Adventure Race - you are guaranteed to have a blast and see winter in a whole new light.
Race Details:
The new race format is designed to be a “mid”-distance adventure race and will take approximately 8-12 hours to complete. There will be three stages taking place over Saturday and Sunday, and no stage will last longer than 4 hours. Navigation is a must in this race and racers will be expected to have a compass and to be familiar with its use. The race will start with:
Stage 1—biathlon (aka run and shoot)—at 9:00am on Saturday.
Stage 2—nighttime navigation—will begin at 5:00pm and its location will be revealed at the end of stage 1.
Stage 3—duathlon (aka run, bike, run)—will begin on Sunday morning at Chapman State Park.
More details will be released in the weeks prior to the race in the form of emailed race updates
Prizes will be awarded to top three in each category--Co-Ed, all Female, and all Male in both the two person and relay divisions.
GEAR REQUIREMENTS for Two Below Duo: Stage 2 Nighttime Navigation Each each teammate must have a hands free form of lighting (ie headlamp etc.), and each team must have a compass, and a map case. Suggested gear includes extra batteries, and a supplemental source of light (flashlight etc.)
Price:$75 per team of two. $125 per relay team of up to four.

Find out more here: http://www.rootsrace.com/event_2bd/index.htm