DESCRIPTION OF NCT PATHWAY in the ALLEGHENY
NATIONAL FOREST
The description of the NCT in the
Allegheny National Forest was taken from a brochure that is available from the
Allegheny National Forest Office in Warren, PA. You can call and ask them to
send you one at 814-723-5150, or you can write and ask for one. The address is: Allegheny National Forest, P.O., Box
847, Warren, Pa 16365 The
brochure is: The North Country National Scenic Trail. See you down the trail…
NY BORDER TO SR 321 at NELSE
RUN
Mileage: 11.3. Elevation change:
460'. Quadrangle: Cornplanter Run. Parking: SR 346, SR 321 at Nelse Run
In Allegany State Park (NY), the
North Country Trail follows the Finger Lakes Trail. After passing through a
beautiful hardwood forest, you reach SR 346. Just west is Willow Bay Recreation
Area (campsites, restrooms, water, boat launch, picnic area). The Tracy Ridge
Recreation Area (Campsites, restrooms, and water) is accessed via the Tracy
Ridge or Johnnycake Trails. The Handsome Lake and Hopewell Campgrounds are
boat-to or hiking access facilities where Hammond Run intersects with Sugar
Run. Note the large maples in this area.
SR 321 AT NELSE RUN TO SR 59
Mileage: 6.0 Elevation Change:
780', Quadrangle; Cornplanter Run, Stickney, Westline, Parking: SR 321 at Nelse
Run FS 265
A plaque near the mouth of Nelse
Run commemorates the Allegheny Outdoor Club. Some say this is the most scenic
part of the trail in the ANF. Watch for maidenhair fern. After crossing FR 630,
you will find a good campsite in Hammond Run. Spectacular scenery down the run;
expect wet feet where Hammond Run intersects with Sugar Run. Note the large
maples in this area.
SR 59 to SR 321 at CHAPPEL
FORK
Mileage: 7.1, Elevation Change:
700', Quadrangles: Westline, Cornplanter Bridge, Parking: FS 265, SR 321 at
Chappel Fork
The dense mountain laurel near SR
59 is spectacular in mid-June. In the headwaters of Hemlock Run, there are many
good campsites and low bush blueberries. At Chappel Fork, not the large black
cherry trees. The snags at the confluence of Chappel Bay and Hemlock Run
provide valuable food and cover for wildlife.
SR 321 at CHAPPEL FORK to RED
BRIDGE RECREATION AREA
Mileage: 5.4, Elevation change:
640', Quadrangles: Westline, Cornplanter Bridge, Parking: SR 321 at Chappel
Fork, Red Bridge
Red Bridge Recreation Area is 1000
feet north on SR 321, and is open mid-April to mid-December (water only during
that period). The wildlife opening near Root Run features grassy fields, shrubs
and apple trees for wildlife cover and food. There is plenty of water all
through the Root Run hollow.
RED BRIDGE RECREATION AREA to
US 6
Mileage: 6.0, Elevation Change:
720', Quadrangles:, Cornplanter Bridge, Ludlow, Kane, Parking: Red Bridge,
Longhouse Trailhead, US 6, Services: Blissville - food /lodging 1 mile NE on
Gibbs Hill Rd, Kane, 9 miles NE, full service community.
Where the NCT crosses the Longhouse
Scenic Byway, (FS 262), the Kiasutha Recreation Area is located one mile
northwest and is open Memorial Day to Labor Day (water only available during
that period). Kiasutha is the most developed campground on the Allegheny with
showers, swimming and a boat launch available. Just south of FS 262, a plaqu
along the trail commemorates the Allegheny Outdoor Club. North of Gibbs Hill
Road a vista offers hikers a sweeping view of the South Branch of Kinzua Creek
Valley. The trail passes through many tranquil conifer plantations. Throughout
this area, there are many historic roads that kindle the imagination. After
climbing to the vista, the rest of the terrain is relatively flat and easy
hiking.
US 6 to TIONESTA SCENIC AREA
Mileage: 6.5, Elevation Change:
440', Quadrangle: Ludlow, Parking: US 6, FS 149 at Fox's Dam, Services: Kane -
full service community, 7 miles east on US 6.
Just north of FS 133, the trail
passes through an interesting rock formation. The trail parallels East Branch
of the Tionesta Creek with many good views of the stream and surrounding
woodlands. The creek offers some excellent trout fishing opportunities for the
backpacker or hiker who wants to spend some time working the eddies and pools along the way.
TIONESTA SCENIC AREA to SR
666 at HENRYS MILLS BRIDGE
The NCT follows a portion of the
Tionesta Scenic Area Interpretative Trail (gray diamonds). The Scenic Area is a
remnant of the vast forest that once covered this region hundreds of years ago.
The old growth on the tract consists of 300-400 year old beech, hemlock and
sugar maples. The NCT is the only trail that crosses the 1985 tornado swath. A
mile or so past the swath, the NCT intersects with the Twin Lakes Trail. The
Twin Lakes Trail is 16.6 miles long and connects the NCT with the Twin Lakes
Recreation Area. Near the Twin Lakes Trail junction, there is an interesting
rock formation. There are many campsites along Cherry Run near SR 948. Be aware
of raccoons who like to raid campers.
SR 666 at HENRYS MILLS to
MINISTER ROAD
Mileage: 10.4, Elevation change:
640', Quadrangle: Sheffield, Cherry Grove, Parking: SR 666 at Henrys Mills,
limited roadside parking on Minister Road
This section of the NCT parallels
Messenger Run towards its headwaters, then crosses over into Pell Run. Evidence
of early equipment used for oil pumping and transport are visible along this
section of trail. Part of an old compressor rests along the trail near
Messenger Run. Many miles of this section follow abandoned railroad grades that
were used in the early 1900's to transport timber to the sawmills. There is an
new shelter near a bridge on Upper Sheriff Run.
Near Fools Creek, a plaque commemorating the Allegheny Outdoor Club is mounted
on a large rock along the trail.
MINISTER ROAD to FS 116 at
DUNHAM SIDING
Mileage: 5.5, Elevation Change:
480', Quadrangle: Cherry Grove, Parking: limited roadside parking on Minister
Road, FS 116.
Shortly after the Minister Road,
the NCT intersects with the Minister Trail, a very popular hiking trail that
features many rock sites. There are also several good campsites in this area,
but they are very busy on summer weekends. The NCT follows the Minster Trail
for a half-mile before it breaks away and follows the west branch of the
Minister Creek to the northwest. Near the headwaters of the creek, the trail
begins its ascent to FS 419. Just west of FS 419, the trail follows the edge of
a large area hit by a tornado in 1985. This is the same tornado that destroyed
so much of the Tionesta Scenic Area 15 miles away to the east. On that evening,
the tornado hopped across Forest County destroying a swath of timber a mile
wide and twenty-two miles long before jumping across country to the Tionesta
Scenic Area. Saplings now cover the area. As the NCT nears Dunham Siding, it
follows an old railroad grade used to transport timber around the turn of the
19th Century.
FS 116 at DUNHAM SIDING to FS
449
Mileage: 6.8, Elevation change:
280', Quadrangles: Cherry Grove, Cobham, Kelletville, Parking: FS 116.
Near Dunham Siding, the trail
intersects the Tanbark Trail, a trail that goes to the Hearts Content
Campground and Scenic Area and ends at the Allegheny River. The Hearts Content
Scenic Area contains a remnant of the virgin forest that once covered the
region and is worth the detour. The ghost town of Braceville has a level,
grassy area, with oaks and large white pines, suitable for camping (south of
Coalbed Run about a 1/2 mile). The NCT drops into the scenic headwaters of
Beaver Run next and then follows a small tributary to the east. This section of
the trail is lined with clusters of older hemlock, with the sounds of small
streams bubbling. It also offers picturesque settings for camping and ends with
a short, but steeper climb to FS 449. This is one of the more isolated sections
of the trail and if you spend time here you can almost hear the ancients
talking to you through the wind in the treetops.
FS 449 to FS 127
Mileage: 7.9, Elevation change: 380',
Quadrangles: Kellettville, Mayburg, Parking: SR 666, FS 127, Services: - gas,
food, and lodging 1 mile west on SR 666
This section of trail generally
follows the headwaters of East Fork Run down into Fork Run. The trail crosses
the creek several times and can be muddy during wetter seasons of the year.
There is a lot of damage in this area caused by horses and ATV riders who have
not heeded the signs prohibiting their using the NCT. The trail leaves Fork Run
just north of the village of Kelletville and climbs to SR 666. There is a
relocation being planned for this section so that there is less road walking.
Currently, the trail follows open public roads through Kelletville. At Tionesta
Creek there is a small Corps of Engineers Campground. The trail follows the
road for about a half mile and then re-enters the woods near FS 145.
FS 127 to FS 145 at AMSLER
SPRINGS
Mileage: 11.2, Elevation change:
520', Quadrangles: Mayburg, Marienville West, Parking: FS 127, Amsler Springs,
Services: Marienville, - Full service community, 2 miles east on Muzette Road
and then 2 miles miles east on SR 66.
Just north of FS 127, the trail
passes through the tornado swath of 1985. The saplings have grown tall creating
a tunnel-like pathway. A rock city sits in the middle of the swath among some
trees that escaped destruction. The trail parallels Fourmile Run, a wilderness
trout stream, for several miles. North of Guiton Run, the trail crosses a very
active oil field where there are some good views of the Salmon Creek Valley.
The scenic Little Salmon Creek Valley offers some good campsites near a
picturesque bridge. An Adirondack shelter is available at Amsler Springs as
well as ample space for tents and parking. A good spring is located across the
road from the shelter.
FS 145 at AMSLER SPRINGS to
ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY
Mileage: 3.2, Elevation change:
220', Quadrangle: Marienville West, Parking: Amsler Springs, FS 540, Services: Marienville,
- Full service community, 2 miles east on Muzette Road and then 2 miles miles
east on SR 66.
The Coon Creek valley offers a
scenic bridge crossing and beaver activity. You may have to crawl over some
beaver dams because they are very active in this section. A relocation was done
to bypass a major dam but the critters may have moved downstream before you get
there. After cross SR 66, the trail continues for another 16.2 miles through
State Game Lands #24, Kittanning State Forest and Cook Forest State Park,
ending at the Gravel Lick Bridge over the Clarion River.
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Enjoy your visit to the
Allegheny National Forest Chapter section of the NCT.
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For current trail conditions
check the Bulletin Board at the NCT home page. The ANF Chapter will use the BB
to provide current trail conditions rather than have them here on the chapter
home page.
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This information can be obtained
in large print format from the Allegheny National Forest, P.O. Box 847, Warren,
PA 16353 814-723-5150.
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LEAVE NOT TRACE
See you down the trail…