Information about snow cover can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-877-SNOMBLE. Although the information is geared to snowmobilers, the snow information is valuable for those who wish to ski or snowshoe. Updated at noon every Tuesday and Thursday.
From the DCNR web site
November 17, 2006- Maintainer's Report PA-01
Recently did a maintainance/inspection hike with Clare Cain and Andrew Bashaw from N.Y. line to Red Bridge campgrounds. The trail is in fine shape with very few deadfalls. In most part, the treadway was solid and dry, even after a few days of rain. The area south of Sugar Bay that was very wet has been repaired by the Buffalo Youth Corps. 350 foot of turnpiking and ditching, great job.
The trail at Chapel Bay is in need of ditching and/or turnpiking. Very soggy along the hill side. This work will be completed this winter. Where turnpiking will be difficult, puncheon bridges will be installed. The beaver dam at Chapel Bay has been broken so trail flooding is a thing of the past.
The fantastic DR mower has been at work doing its thing, eating weeds. Used the machine for about 5 miles of trail, from N.Y. line to Rt 66.
The NFS has asked for public comment concerning the trail re-route north of Kelletville. We are close to getting the trail off the road and into the woods in this area.
The southern terminus of this chapter has been cleared and re-blazed. New puncheon bridges constructed and a new short bridge will be constructed.
All the section adopters have been at work to insure a pleasent walk.
Posted by Keith Klos
April 11, 2007- Red Bridge to Rt 6 PA-01 North Segment:
Anyone hiking in the area of Rt 6 to Bliss Hill / Red Bridge, be careful. Howard Oil drilling has used the trail as a skidway for their equipment. The trail is rutted and very muddy. The Allegheny National Forest personel has assure me that it will be re-claimed as soon as the ground dries. We have had warm and dry weather recently and the trail is still torn up. Howard Drilling has informed the ANF that they have a right to recover their property and that we should re-route the trail. Thankfully the ANF is trying to move the well sites to a less visual position.
The south end of the ANF is already covered with well locations. The same action is beginning in the north end, along Rt 59 and Rt 321.
Posted by Keith Klos
September 8, 2006- Red Bridge Campground PA-01 North Segment:
Red Bridge Recreation Area will be open to the public starting Friday, September 8th. The two southern loops, totaling 38 campsites and a heated bathhouse will be available for use. Nine of the campsites offer electric, water and sewer, and nine more provide electric. Unfortunately the dump station will not be available for use. The newly renovated recreation area was temporarily closed on June 13, 2006 in response to a water supply inspection. Ranger Stovall states "We are now completely satisfied that we have a safe potable water supply for the recreation area and we feel forest visitors will thoroughly enjoy the new facilities and services."
Red Bridge Recreation Area underwent a year long reconstruction that will improve visitor services at the camping areas but still retains the rustic aura that draws visitors back to this camping area year after year. Red Bridge will remain open for visitors to enjoy until December 10th, 2006, and then will close for the winter season.
Posted by Bradford Acting District Ranger Robert Stovall
PA- July 17, 2004- Willow Bay Campground to State Route 59 PA-01 North Segment:
Did the trail from Willow Bay, (near the N.Y. state line) to State. Rt. 59 on July 10 - 11 '04. Basically the trail is in good shape. A few small trees down as you climb the hill from Willow Bay and 3 large ones at the top, but easy to get around. The trail from there to Handsome Lake Campgrounds is open an a great view of the Kinzua Reservoir. Handsome Lake campgrounds is a good place to camp, water, pit toilets, picnic tables and a fantastic view of the reservoir. Leaving the campgrounds, there is a large tree about 1/2 way up the hill, difficult to get around but possible. From there to Sugar Bay, open and quiet. Unofficial swimming is possible at Handsome Lake and Sugar Bay, no lifeguards. After Sugar Bay and before Hammond Run is a very wet area. This is an old OGM road that has springs coming out of the bank of the road. This will never dry up. Only twice did I encounter boot-sucking mud. Up Hammond Run to Rt. 59 is pleasant and open. No trees down and the trail is well marked. You cross Rt. 59 at the parking lot. Suggestion: use the upper lot, hidden from the road.
Posted by Keith Klos
Nov 5, 2007- Tionesta Scenic Area - near Ludlow PA-01 South Segment:
The ANF chapter is currently working to re-route the trail at the Tionesta Scenic Area. This will get the trail off the pipeline and back on it's original course. New directions are as follows:
While heading NORTH from Pa. State Rt. 948 up Cherry Run, you come across the junction with the Twin Lakes Trail. Follow the NCT (blue blazes) until you come across an old abandoned forestry road. Follow that road northeast for 1.25 miles to a marker, a 4x4 post with blazes. At this point, the trail makes a left, (northwest) ans is blazed. Now thru 0.5 mile of tornado re-growth to Forestry road 133E. Cross this road and re-join the existing trail down a small stream to Fox's Dam.
The old abandoned forestry road is temporary and will be moved into the forest soon. These direction will take effect the week of Nov. 11th and the trail will be blazed.
Posted by Keith Klos
July 3, 2007- FR 179 to Henry's Mills PA-01 South Segment:
Just did a maintaince/trail clearing from F.R 179 to Henry Mills. Removed several blowdown as well as several dead snags beside the trail. There are several new dirt roads once you get up on top after leaving Hunter's Station towards Henry's Mills. This is due to gas and oil wells being put along the trail. When you come to the first road the trail is straight across it, then it parallels the road for a while and crosses several more roads, but all crossings are straight across. After leaving these roads it is a nice hike to Henry's Mills.
Posted by Josh Schrader
PA- April 29, 2006- Tionesta Bridge Under Repair PA-01 South Segment:
The bridge across Tionesta Creek on State Rt. 66 will be under construction this summer. PENNDOT confirms the beginning date will be late May or early June. THERE WILL BE ONE LANE TRAFFIC PERMITTED. The lane will be 11 feet wide and will be narrow for hikers and traffic but we are allowed to use it. Please be carful when crossing.
This bridge is at the half-way point of the NCT in the ANF.
If you are uncomfortable walking through the construction, the water is not really deep downstream of the bridge. just take off your boots, hike up yer pants, and get cool. Rt. 66 parallels the creek on the west side and an old logging road on the east.
From Keith Klos, Allegheny National Forest Chapter President
PA- May 31, 2004- Route 6 to Henrys Mills PA-01 South Segment:
Route 6 and south, Tionesta area, very wet and boggy, few trees down, about 4 areas need small detours to get around.
- Tionesta to route 948, along Cherry Run, very wet, few trees
- 948 to Henrys Mills - excellent trail and no problems, the dryest area and no trees down.
Posted by Rob McKay, Venturer Crew 146, Fairview PA
PA- April 2, 2004- Complete ANF status PA-01 North and South Segments:
Currently some sections of the trail are officially closed. The ANF chapter is receiving bids from professional loggers to clear the major damage from last summer's storms.
Below is a description of the entire 100 ANF Chapter Trail as reported by all the trail adopters in our volunteer group.
Please note, unofficially opened means you can safely travel the pathway, but it is still not "NFS opened". Once the NFS personnel walk the trail and certify it as "officially" open, then we'll update everyone. We hope by May 1, 2004 this will be reality.
| SECTION | CONDITION |
| SR 66 - Amsler Spring Shelter on FS 145 | unofficially open |
| Amsler Spring Shelter to Kelletville FS 127 | Two significant areas of damage. One is north of Amsler Spring a mile from FS 127. The second one is above the Salmon Creek Overlook and is about a 1/8 mile long |
| Kelletville FS 127 to SR 666 | open |
| SR 66 to FS 116 at Dunham Siding | unofficially open |
| FS 116 to Minister Road | unofficially open |
| Minister Rd. to Henrys Mills Bridge | unofficially open - 4 trees down |
| Henrys Mills Bridge to SR 948 | unofficially open |
| SR 948 to Twin Lakes Trail | unofficially open to FS 148 |
| FS 148 to Tionesta Scenic Area | closed - heavy damage |
| Tionesta Scenic Area to Wetmore Rd | closed - heavy damage |
| Wetmore Rd to US 6 N of Ludlow | unofficially open |
| SR 6 to Gibbs Hill Rd | unofficially open - 4 trees down |
| Gibbs Hill Rd to Redbridge | unofficially open |
| Redbridge to SR 321 at Chapel Bay | open |
| SR321 to SR 59 | open |
| SR 59 to SR 346 | open |
| SR 346 to NY Line | open |
PA- October 13, 2000- Southern Portion of Allegheny National Forest north of Salmon Run PA-01 South Segment:
The Forest Service has completed a reroute and rebuilding of the NCT through this area which had been seriously damaged by oil and gas extraction companies. The FS has no authority to prevent access by parties who own sub-surface rights, but can only negotiate with them. Despite a large number of new roads and wells, the new re-route of the trail minimizes the visual impact of the operations in the vicinity of the trail. A new treadway has been built along the re-routed portions, including benching with gradual slopes, re-seeding, placement of large rocks for several stream crossings, and blazing. Members of the NCTA and NPS were able to view this work on Oct 12 and the results show the outstanding commitment of the Forest Service to the protection of the North Country Trail. Hike this area with confidence.
Posted by Joan Young
PA- July 21, 2005- Concurrent Baker Trail and NCT- Muzette Road to Gravel Lick Bridge PA-02 North Segment:
1.0 Northern Trail Head to Rt. 66
7/17/05 Trail head had been destroyed by a new gas line along the road. Steve Mentzer and Ken Zeller found the trail head, opened the footpath and planted a new sign. BAKER TRAIL NORTHERN TERMINUS
Established in 1950
Dave Galbreath and Ed Scurry (North Country Trail) started at the trail head and went to Rt. 66. They did not blaze but did cut open the blaze areas and remove many deadfalls. Several sections were extremely marshy (ankle deep) due to the logging in the area. This needs addressed. The loggers appear to be the National Fuel Gas, Seneca Resources. Mowed what they could with the DL mower.
2.0 Rt. 66 to Maple Creek Road 1.5 miles
7/16/05 Glenn Oster, Helen Coyne, Peggy Hoburg blazed, weed whacked and cleared
3.0 Maple Creek Road to SR1015 North Crossing (Cook Forest) 1.5 miles
7/17/05 Glenn Oster, Helen Coyne blazed, weed whacked and cleared
Several Trees need removed still, 1 marshy area needs a turnpike
-We cleared the trail of hundreds of tree limbs on the trail between Maple Creek Road and the Cooksburg/Vowinkel Road and reblazed that section. Here, again, the trail was rerouted. The ugly blazes had been on that section, but the rerouting moved the trail to another location where the ugly blazes had not been applied. We did see a couple of the ugly blazes, but they were far into that section and by then the old trail route had joined the new one. Not worth worrying about the couple bad blazes.
- The sector between Maple Creek Road and the first hard road as you enter Cook Forest SP, has several trees down that need to be chain sawed. The worst is about mid way, (at a small stream). Turnpike should be built in those areas.
- Mowed south from Maple Creek Road as far as appeared necessary, but close to the southern end of that sector there is fern overgrowth that needs to be mowed or weed wacked.
- We removed fallen tree limbs from the trail, cut back overgrowth and encroaching tree limbs and cleared a very cluttered trail entry from the Cooksburg/Vowinkel Road. That section is a-ok now.
4.0 SR1015 North Crossing to SR1015 South Crossing (Cook Forest) 3.9 miles
7/16/05 Blazed and lopped open, several trees cut off the path. Several mucky areas. Gravel/stones would be good in the first spot. About .67 mile a turnpike was built and the drain maybe clogged causing the water to run off down further on the trail. That would be the first fix. If that does not work the turnpike will need extended. Just a few feet further, Rodney, the maintenance worker said this is a small stream with heavy rains. This will need monitors. Seemed a little mucky but passable.
5.0 SR1015 South Crossing to Fire Tower (Cook Forest) 3 Miles
7/17/05 Diane and Joe Kostka blazed, lopped and cleared the trail
6.0 Fire Tower to Gravel Lick Bridge (Cook Forest, partially)
7/16/05 - No work was done due to Landowner dispute. Possible alternative is being explored.
PA- December 22, 2006- Fern Rd to Stone House Rd PA-02 South Segment (alternate AVT route):
The section of NCT from Fern Road in Clarion county to Stone House Road is currently being used as a haul road for a coal operations. The railroad grade is muddy and rutted. It should be repaired for spring hiking. An alternative route is to utilize Route 322 from Fern Road to Stone House Road until April.
(This is located on the alternate route which follows an abandoned rail corridor NW from Clarion till it joins the Allegheny Valley Trail which it follows south to Parker. It does not all show on the official PA-02 NCTA map. This route is a long detour from the proposed, more direct, trail corridor from Clarion to Parker, but it is off road.)
Submitted by Ed Scurry, contact
Andrew Bashaw PA/OH Regional Trail Coordinator
PA- Sept 15, 2004- Bear Creek Bridge washed out PA-02 South Segment:
The Bears Mouth Bridge in State Game Lands #95 near Parker, PA is destroyed by the flooding that we have experienced this year. The western half is gone and the eastern half has collapsed into the stream and has a tree on top of it. A large steel box girder in the steam from the original railroad bridge may have contributed to the problem. It is aproximatly 6 ft x 6 ft by 40 feet long. It was hoped that we could remove that girder this year, but it had not been completed, and now the entire project will need to be redone. We will decide what we will do about this disaster at our PA Council Meeting next month.
Posted by Ron Rice
August 21, 2006- Trail Work, McConnell's Mill SP PA-03 East Segment:
Extensive trail relocation by Student Conservation Association crew done in McConnells Mill State Park, and led by Andrew Bashaw. They have replaced the most difficult and dangerous section of the NC Trail in Pa. with a most enjoyable and scenic 0.4 mile of side hill construction. This relocation will allow many more hikers that were unable to hike it in the past to enjoy the beauty of the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail [NCT].
Posted by Ron Rice, PA State Trail Coordinator
