Apologies to all of my ardent readers.  Due to a lot of extra work and some weather delays, I haven't been out on the trails as much lately.  Don't worry - I'll be back out there as soon as I can.  My wife and I are busy preparing for a vacation to Alaska, but after that, you can expect lots more action from me. 

Keep watching. Tell your friends.

Thanks for hanging in there.

Hike on.

Hike 3 - Meadow Run - 3.2 miles

Having warmed up with the Ferncliff trail, we drove down 381 for about a mile to the parking lot for the Meadow Run Trail.  This was another crowded parking lot, signifying that we were going to be encountering another popular destination.       

From the car, we took the trail on the far right, uphill through some light forest.  Reaching the top of the hill, we came upon some rocky outcroppings.  The trail followed the boulders downhill to the banks of Meadow Run, then turned sharply to the left and followed it along its edge.

As we hiked along the stream, the boulders to our left seemed to be leaking.  Apparently the water table was somewhere above us, causing water to appear to pour out of the rock. 

Hiking on, we found several fisherman enjoying the swiftly flowing run, along with a few daring swimmers.  Despite our tiring legs, we marched on through a narrow path carved between thickets of rhododendrons, hoping to see the famous natural water slides.  We almost made it. 

Upon reaching the area where the slides were located, we found a nice spot for a rest.  The crowd of people ahead of us was something else, entirely.  Apparently, the local population is quite fond of the free entertainment the slides provide, as no less than 100 people swarmed ahead of us, in and around the river.  Despite the large sign in the parking area that clearly read, "alcoholic beverages prohibited," many bottle and cans could be seen in the hands of the revelers.  Don't get me wrong, I don't disapprove of the occasional adult beverage, only when it's clearly prohibited.  Oh well, the dangerous combination of fast water, slippery rocks and alcohol makes for a Darwinian exhibition at its finest. 

Rather than retrace our steps through the rhododendron jungle, we opted to hike directly up the hill to our left on a little-used path.  In no time we were standing alongside PA 381, needing only to walk the final 0.6 miles back up the road to our car.  This walk was easier than tramping through the woods, but the trade-off for an easier path was a loss of scenery.  Sore and disappointed, we finally arrived at the trail head.

Overall, I give this hike a 5/10.  The hike is a nice path, but it can get muddy and slippery as you travel along the creek bed.  Also, it's a narrow path, with moderate to heavy traffic, depending on the season.  If the weather is nice, plan to see lots of "hikers," -  barefoot river enthusiasts, six-pack in tow, crowding the trail and frolicking in the stream.  Poison ivy is prevalent as well, though not to the degree found in Ferncliff.   Take my advice - avoid the waterslides, and truncate this hike early by taking the left hand turn back to the parking area.  It shortens the hike by a mile or so, but you'll thank me in the end. 

You can't win 'em all.

Hike on.

Hike 2 - Ferncliff Natural Area - 2.1 miles

On Memorial Day, my wife and I, along with our dog, Cash, took a drive to Ohiopyle, where we completed two short hikes, the first of which was the Ferncliff Natural Area.  Ferncliff is located on a peninsula, created by an exaggerated bend in the Youghiogheny River.  The hike follows the Ferncliff Trail, which makes a large loop around the perimeter of this preserved area. 

The parking area is off to the right as you descend PA 381, after the railroad tracks, but before the bridge to the hamlet of Ohiopyle.  This was the most crowded hike I have taken, to date.  No doubt due to the combination of good weather and Memorial Day at a popular tourist spot. 

The hike began easy enough, but the insects were ferocious, causing us to detour quickly to locate bug spray.  I normally carry it with me, but today, I had forgotten it.  Big mistake.  The resident mosquito population found my wife to be especially tasty, leaving a reminder of itchy bumps on her arms and legs . 

With errand completed, and bug spray thoroughly applied, we began our hike.  There is a bike trail that begins at the trailhead, as well, so mountain bikes are everywhere.  Fortunately, the Ferncliff Trail is still a footpath only, no bikes allowed.  The trail leads up a short path to a stone marker and the start of the loop.  Opting for the left, we followed the trail towards the rushing sounds of the river.  

Upon reaching the river, we turned right and followed the trail along the edge of the water.  This trail is not just rocky, it's all rock.  Sometimes it's wide and flat, sometimes it's narrow.  This is the best that it gets, in terms of views of the river, but the worst as far as crowds go.  As this section is close to the parking lot and gives many opportunities for enjoying the Youghiogheny, it is no wonder why it is a popular destination. 

After a short while, the trail turned uphill into the forest.  Here, the crowd disappeared.  Thankful for some well-received solitude, we followed the trail along the river, which was soon far below us.  Due to an environmental discrepancy, the river drops in elevation by 100 feet over just one mile.  This produces the effect of now being a great distance above the river without much uphill climbing.  

As we hiked through forests of pine and oak, we took the opportunity to view several nice overlooks of the river and its waterfalls.  After a turn to the right, and noticing a bright orange fungus, we passed by a meadow and soon returned to the start of the loop, and then back to our car.

This hike gets a 6/10.  The views are nice, but the crowded beginning is a little annoying.  Don't get me wrong, I encourage all people to visit these trails and enjoy them, just not at the same time.  Also, please don't litter!  Come on, people, it's 2010.  You should know not to litter.  From cigarette butts to potato chip bags to plastic beverage containers, I saw a great deal of litter on the first part of this trail.  It is extremely saddening to see such wanton disrespect for the environment.  These natural areas are a rarity in our state, and will only continue to exist if we preserve them.  Pick up your trash.  

Despite the early crowds, the majority of this hike will afford you some solitude.  The crowds and their litter are seemingly confined to the first portion.  Once you enter the forest, you will encounter far fewer people.  The path is easy to follow and there are several educational displays throughout the trail.  Poison ivy is prevalent, so be aware. We enjoyed this trail, for the most part, as did our dog.  Even though the sun was bright, the canopy of trees gives lots of shade.  A pleasant walk in the woods, indeed.      

Hike 36 - Beechwood Nature Trails - 2.5 miles

Over Memorial Day weekend, during which I unfortunately had to work, I still managed to complete three more hikes.  Even though the paths chosen were significantly shorter than most previous efforts, new challenges and opportunities were discovered nonetheless. 

On Sunday, I received a phone call from my wife, Jackie, asking if I wanted to go hiking after work.  You don't have to guess my reply.  We had decided to hike the short, but hopefully scenic, Beechwood Nature Trails, just north of the city in the Fox Chapel area.  At around 7:30, we arrived at our destination.  The GPS was more than efficient at getting us there, but we probably wouldn't have needed it anyway.  For those of you familiar with Pittsburgh, the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is located on Dorseyville road, just south of its intersection with Harts Run Road. 

We easily found a parking spot and began trekking along the Oak Forest Trail.  There are a half-dozen or so trails that wind throughout the area and the junctions are posted clearly.  However, one could easily get lost without a map or directions.  Two and a half miles isn't a very long way to walk, but within seconds, the parking lot disappears and you are surrounded by forest.  It is very easy to become disoriented in such circumstances, especially as it was for us since it would be getting dark soon.

As the sunset began, so did out walk along a meadow full of wildflowers, then past a pavilion of sorts near a lake that featured a few ducks and a memorial to an area bird-watcher.  Onward and uphill, we passed through  some light forest and then downhill until we came to an old roadway.  There are quite a few benches in the first sections of these trails, offering scenic spots to sit and rest - or solicit a kiss.

Following the directions in 50 hikes in Western Pennsylvania, we turned right onto the Spring Hollow Trail, then came to a junction with Woodland Trail.  The book says here to "continue ahead on Woodland Trail," but it fails to mention which way.  One can either go straight or to the left, both of which are signed as Woodland Trail.  We opted for the left, which, in hindsight, was probably not the author's intention.  However, it did lead us to the next scheduled junction.  We found Meadow View Trail, then followed it to Pine Hollow Trail, which led us across a private roadway, then deeper into the forest.

By now it was beginning to get quite dark.  The sun's light was still visible above, but the sun, itself, had already sunk below the horizon.  The twilight was upon us and we weren't sure how much longer we would have until the light faded away completely.  With our eyes becoming adjusted to the dim conditions, we plodded onward, following the trail back up the hillside and across the private roadway once again.  Soon enough, we turned right on Meadow View Trail, then right on Spring Hollow Trail, leading us down a wide pathway which brought us, sooner than expected, to the parking lot. 

Hiking at dusk has its merits.  The weather is cooler, the bugs are less active, and the trails are less crowded.  However, all three of these will do you no good if you are lost in the woods in the dark.  Even though this was a short trail, we were sufficiently deep into the wilderness to be cut off from all visible civilization.  I thought that we would be able to hike the 2.5 mile loop in about an hour or so, but it took a little while longer than expected.  Should have brought a flashlight.

I give this one a 7/10.  It's a nice hike, and not too long.  Would be great for kids and dogs, but one of these is not permitted (i.e. no dogs allowed).  The nature center was closed when we went, but it seems like it would be a fitting accompaniment to the trail.  The various paths and their junctions are well-marked, but I would still recommend taking a map.  Even though it's a shorter venture, give yourself plenty of time.  There are a lot of things to see (while it's light out) and many places to stop and admire this enclave of nature. 

But bring a flashlight, just in case.