PADDLING THE WATERWAYS
A great way to catch a break from Pennsylvania's hot summers is to take to the water. With over 54,000 miles of streams and rivers crisscrossing the state, the variety is impressive. Just imagine yourself sitting back and relaxing as you drift along

The Allegheny National Forest sits in the rugged plateau country of northwestern Pennsylvania. Many creeks and streams cut deeply into the plateau, creating a rolling and sometimes steep topography with a 1,300 foot range of elevation. The terrain is covered with a typical eastern hardwood forest: Black cherry, yellow poplar, white ash, red maple, and sugar maple are all common to the area.

The Tionesta and Research Natural Areas and Hearts Content Area feature some of the oldest and largest tracts of virgin beech-hemlock forest in the eastern United States. The Allegheny River Islands Wilderness is another unique feature of the Allegheny National Forest. The seven islands in the Allegheny River offer remote canoeing and back-country camping.

    Of course, not all of the outdoor fun in Pennsylvania occurs on land. If tourists are seeking to cool off this summer, then they can enjoy many bodies of water that dot the Pennsylvania landscape. The variety is impressive. For those who wish to sit by and relax, drift along on the majestic Susquehanna River, which carves through the heartland of the state. However, if you like to live life dangerously then hold on tight while riding rapids of the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle State Park, or the Lehigh Gorge in Eastern Pennsylvania.

    In addition to the 54,000 miles of streams and rivers, lakes are strewn all throughout Pennsylvania. Water enthusiasts can ride on the state’s waters or dive right in - most of the state park lakes have beaches as well as boat launches.

In 1992, the middle Allegheny was designated a National Wild and Scenic River, based on its recreational value. It is divided into three segments— omitting two relatively short stretches, one through Warren, the other from Oil City through Franklin. Together, the three Wild and Scenic stretches are 85 miles in length. All of the middle Allegheny is class I water, suitable for beginners.

The 'middle' Allegheny, the free flowing stretch from the Kinzua Dam to the head of the navigation pools near Interstate Route 80, is one of the most popular canoeing areas in the country, especially during midsummer. At this time many other popular creeks and rivers do not have enough flow to keep canoes afloat.

Fred Mendenhall, of Allegheny Outfitters in Warren, suggests three types of canoe trips down the middle Allegheny. Most popular is a one-day float from the Kinzua Dam to Warren. A two-day trip with an overnight stay on a wilderness island ends at Tidioute. Or for a journey past all of the wilderness islands, there is a three-day, two-night trip to Tionesta. They provide both guided and unguided packages.

All three journeys begin just below the Kinzua Dam. Here the valley is narrow, with steep walls. Riffles are long and gentle, the pools relatively short and with no 'dead' water. This is a stretch that you can actually float. Stick to the main channel. The smaller channels in this stretch get very shallow during mid-summer.

You have a good chance of seeing bald eagles between the dam and Warren, particularly around Dixon Island, the first island you encounter. You can expect to see a lot of wildlife as you float the river. I suggest you bring a bird field guide and binoculars.

The first actual whitewater you encounter is in Warren, nearly past a refinery. Below this is one more pool, some small islands and short riffles, then the mouth of Conewango Creek. At this point you will have traveled about eight miles.

Warren is where you encounter the first pool, where the valley broadens. From here on you will have to do more paddling, especially when the wind is blowing upriver, which it usually is.

Crulls Island is 16.5 miles below the dam. A popular camping site is on the west side, on your right. Here the valley walls close in again. For the rest of the way to Tionesta forest surrounds the river, the many scattered camps and a few small villages.

With the addition of Conewango and Brokenstraw creeks, the Allegheny is gaining flow. From here on, many of the smaller channels are worth exploring. Watch for fallen trees which can flip canoes in those channels.

Tidioute is about 30 miles from the dam, and Tionesta is another 14 miles. Camping is allowed on islands that are not posted. It is hard to tell designated wilderness islands from the rest. Sitting around a campfire in the evening, listening to the sounds of the night, surrounded by the dense bottom land vegetation, you will gain the wilderness feeling.

Be sure to bring your fishing tackle to assure a fresh fish dinner. Trout fishing is excellent from the dam to Warren. Below Warren, smallmouth bass become more abundant. Walleyes and muskellunge are common throughout. In the evenings, after setting up camp, you will probably find good fishing within wading distance.

While you are in the area, an opportunity you should enjoy is a series of eco-tours offered by Allegheny Outfitters. They have full-day eco-tours every Tuesday and Thursday, half-day tours every Wednesday and either at other times by reservation.

For more information contact Allegheny Outfitters, Inc., PO Box 1681, Warren, PA 16365; phone 814/723-1203. For more information about the Allegheny Islands Wilderness contact Allegheny National Forest, PO Box 847, Warren, PA 16365; phone 814/723-5150.

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Climbing Areas, Techniques and Organizations

SPELUNKING
Want to escape the summer heat?  Cool off underground in one of Western Pennsylvania's two commercial caves - each with a number of distinctly unusual features. The unique catacombs of Laurel Caverns in Farmington are just part of a 430 acre geological wonder. Explore the largest cave in Pennsylvania with experienced guides or let your adventurous side take reign in the several miles of cave which are open to caving and rappelling. The famed Coral Caverns of Bedford County is visited by thousands each year hoping to see the fossilized remains of sea-creatures exposed in the walls. These fossils were left behind over 400 million years ago by an ancient inland sea (yes, a sea where the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania now stand). If you're up to traveling just a bit further, take a drive out to beautiful Huntingdon County where you can explore more fascinating underground attractions at Indian Caverns, Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks.

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Caves and Caving of Western PA

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