North Country Trail - Cooks Forest & Allegheny

This shows a section hike I did on North Country Trail in Pennsylvania in late March of 2011. It was supposed to be a 115 mile straight-line trip from Cooks Forest, to Willow Bay, and on to the New York border. In the end, the trip had to be shortened and, I probably hiked 65 (or so) miles.

It wasn't much of a problem, but the weather was much colder than predicted. The first morning at Amsler Shelter, the thermometer read 2 degrees. The other mornings were around 10. Condensation from breathing froze on the tent, causing miniature snow storms whenever I moved. I kept my water in my sleeping bag, but by 9 a.m., it was usually frozen. During the day, it sometimes got up in the balmy 20's--and even hit 30 at one point! My Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter froze solid early on and was unusable for much of the trip. I had brought a bag of dried fruit that turned into a solid block, and the toothpaste even froze...so it's good that I was alone for all those days.

The hike had to be cut short when I discovered I couldn't reach the pick up points my wife and I had agreed upon. It's really remote in Allegheny National Forest. There's no cell phone service in the area, so the only solution was to turn back and try to hike to the car before my wife left on the many hour drive to pick me up.

Many thanks for the kindness of Allison (from Whig Hill) and Connor (from Mayburg) who gave me rides that helped avoid two additional days of hiking. I was a haggard and straggly looking stranger who really appreciated your generosity, time, and conversation. Thanks also to Keith from the NCT organization in PA who provided hiking tips and maps for several trail/route changes.

I'm a firm believer that all things work for good. I got home a day and a half early. My "kid" sister-in-law hadn't had her baby yet, and my wife ended up very sick. My wife probably couldn't have made the drive to pick me up more than likely. I had enough food for about a month it seemed like. Who knows, I would probably be somewhere in the Minister-Valley/Tracy Ridge area...still hiking, definitely the object of a SAR operation, and possibly out of a job.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• North Country Trail
• NCT
• backpacking
• hiking
• outdoors
• park

[mistervee123]

@FAWweb I'm with you on this one. During my recent hikes it's unbelievable how many wells have gone up near the trail. A couple weeks ago, I took a look at Google Earth to see the Tracy Ridge area and other ANF areas where I've backpacked. The whole area is becoming a spiderweb of roads to oil rigs. Sad. Let's get 'em protected before it's too late. jev

[FAWweb]

@mistervee123 We are working to have the 9,700-acre Tracy Ridge area, and a number of other select portions of the Allegheny National Forest, designated as wilderness areas under the Wilderness Act of 1964 in order to protect them in perpetuity from oil drilling and other forms of development. For more info see our website at w w w dot pawild dot o r g

[mistervee123]

By the way, I will attempt this again. I've hiked extensively in the ANF area, but this was the first time as a thru hike. The weather/temperature weren't factors as much as the age of my legs and the "puds" aka pointless ups and downs (AT term) of the trail. I can't do many consecutive 18-20 mile days as when younger. When passing through Kelletville, stop at Cougar Bob's (about 200 yards North of the trail) for a cold drink and a bite to eat. Fun, friendly-but avoid kissing the moose!

[mistervee123]

The trail is very well marked except at the Baker/NCT split South of Muzette Rd. and when NOBO around Coon Run. The SOBO trail for Coon Run is fine though. Weird. Watch near POSTED areas. I picked up some safety-pin booby traps in boots. Unabashed ULA ad: the Circuit is the best pack I've owned in more than 30 years of BP'ing. I needed the extra room in the Circuit (vs Ohm) for the cold weather clothes and 'cuz of being solo and having to carry everything.

[mistervee123]

@alleghenyproductions I prefer the NOBO route myself. Finishing in the "wildness" of Tracy Ridge has more appeal than finishing by hiking through the newly built oil wells and the access roads in the South of the ANF. I would insert some expletives about the oil operations, but I'm keeping this G rated.

[alleghenyproductions]

nice video. a friend of mine and myself are doing the 100 miles towards the end of may NOBO as well. a little inspiration for our hike.

[medicjimr]

Great trip report , 2 of us are heading out on the 21 st of may to go from cooks forest to tracey ridge , Forunatly well atleast we hope the weather will be nicer. I will be styling a ULA as well the ohm , May I ask was the trail well marked and will you attempt again ?