ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

By JOSH COTTON jcotton@timesobserver.com

Established in 1923, the Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania’s only national forest.

Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, the forest is composed of plateau tops with elevations up to 2,300 feet and valleys down to 1,000 feet above sea level. The forest is 517,000 acres and includes land in Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren counties.

Hiking

With more than 200 miles of hiking trails, 53 miles of cross-country ski trails and 18 miles of interpretive trails the Allegheny National Forest offers a variety of hiking experiences. Maps for each trail are available on that trails web page by visiting www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ allegheny/recreation/hiking/?recid=6083&actid=51.

Trails include:

• Brush Hollow Cross Country Ski and Hiking trail, a 7.7 mile-trail suitable for cross-country skiing, mountain biking and snowshoeing;

• Hearts Content Trails, a 7.8 mile-trail suitable for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing;

• Hickory Creek Wilderness Trails, a 12-mile trail;

• Minister Creek Trail, a 6.6-mile trail; continued on page 7

• Morrison Creek Hiking Trail, an 11.4-mile trail;

• the North Country National Scenic Trail, a 96.3-mile trail also suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing;

• Tracy Ridge, a 33.69-mile trail also suitable for cross-country skiing; and

• Twin Lakes Hiking Trail, a 15.8 mile trail also suitable for cross-country skiing and mountain biking.

Allegheny Reservoir

A major outdoor recreational attraction on the Forest is the 7,647 acre Allegheny Reservoir. At normal summer pool level the reservoir is 27 miles long (14 miles in Pennsylvania and 13 miles in New York) with 91 miles of shoreline.

The undeveloped Allegheny Reservoir shoreline and National Forest System land surrounding the Reservoir provide the largest outdoor recreation opportunities in northwestern Pennsylvania. Highly developed infrastructure (e.g. paved roads, pressurized water systems, sewage treatment plants and electrical service) are in place to serve campgrounds with utilities, flush toilets and hot water showers. Other facilities include picnic areas, swimming beaches, and shoreline fishing opportunities and fishing piers.

The reservoir was created in the 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Kinzua Dam on the upper Allegheny River. The reservoir water level and water surface is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The adjacent shoreline is primarily owned and managed in Pennsylvania by the U.S. Forest Service and in New York by the Seneca Nation of Indians, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and Cattaraugus County, N.Y.

Only a few private landowners exist on the New York shoreline. The Allegheny Reservoir is unique because very little private commercial development exists along its shoreline. The majority of the existing developed recreation sites on the PA portion of the Reservoir are operated and maintained by the Allegheny National Forest.

Bradford Ranger District

The Bradford Ranger District covers the northern half of the Allegheny National Forest. Highlights of this area include the Allegheny Reservoir, Wild and Scenic Allegheny River and Hearts Content.

Hidden gems found on the district are the Old Powerhouse, Timberdoodle Flats Interpretive Trail and Hall Barn Wildlife Viewing Area.

Marienville Ranger District

The Marienville Ranger District covers the southern half of the Allegheny National Forest. Highlights of this area include the Penoke, Marienville and Timberline OHV trails, Wild and Scenic Clarion River and Buzzard

Swamp.

Hidden gems on this district include the Little Drummer Trail, Laurel Mill Trail and Beaver Meadows.

North Country National Scenic Trail

Walk among rocks and waterfalls, Allegheny hardwoods and stands of mountain laurel! Explore the 96.3 miles of North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) that meander through the historic lands of the Iroquois, the Allegheny Plateau, some of the most valuable black cherry and oak in the world, landscapes rich in history, wildlife, and natural beauty.

A unique national resource, the NCNST is part of a 3,200-mile National Scenic Trail to extend from Crown Point, NY to Lake Sakakawea, ND. Once completed, it will be the longest continuous foot path in the US.