Dear Hiker,
This blog has been discontinued, but our stats show us that people are still reading it as a guide to hiking and rustic camping for the Allegheny National Forest and surrounding region. And so we're happy to keep it online.
But be aware: Forests change! Blow-downs occur, obstructing trails and creating new vistas. Logging happens, with pretty much the same effects. Gas companies roll in and wantonly destroy many acres of woodlands each year. For these reasons, some of the information that you find in these pages may be dated. It's disheartening to plan a forest trek, only to arrive at your destination and discover that it has been torn up by Mother Nature or Brother Man, and in these parts, it's usually Brother Man!
The forests of Northern Pennsylvania are a treasure. They provide benefits to the watersheds of many a stream and river. They shelter wildlife, purify the air, regulate the temperatures, and add beauty, wonder, and adventure to our lives. But these forests are increasingly threatened by drillers in the Marcellus shale, by loggers, and by traditional gas companies. Treat them kindly. Happy hiking. And as they say in North Africa, "Allah yisallinak!"
~The Snowbelt Parson
Why have discontinued your blog? I just discovered it today and I'm blown away with the amount of places you have been to. I have been to a few of them myself but now I know where to look for the next adventure. I actually know of a few PA spots that you don't have in your blog. Maybe you should start it back up?
ReplyDeleteI recall a campsite in the Ridgway area where there are old drawings dated in the 1900's on a rock over looking the town. Also near the campsite was a small hole in the ground that appeared to be cave. One day when I was fairly young a friend was brave enough to go into the hole. When his head was completely out of view he starting yelling with excitement. When I climbed down in I was in shock with the drawing on the stone walls of the cave. Not sure if it still exists since a cell phone tower was built near it. It was an amazing thing to see and makes you wonder what else is in the area that you haven't discovered.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Anonymous. The place near Ridgway sounds great, and I've never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI had to stop writing about the North Woods because I don't live there anymore. When I did, I hiked every week,and I documented the hikes in weekly blog entries. Now that the Allegheny Journal is no longer published, to my knowledge, there's not antoher weekly hiker's blog about the Allegheny National Forest region. But it sounds like you know a thing or two about the forest. Maybe you could take up the task?
Peace out!
SBP