There is no school today! This day off is called an Energy Day, a day reserved on our school calendar as a day off unless we have a Snow Day. Fortunately, although school was canceled twice due to weather, it did not need to take this day! Thank goodness! It was wonderful to have a day off.
My main goals today were to 1) Sleep In and 2) Go Hiking. Number 1 was easily accomplished! When I got up, I had a good breakfast and packed a few things in my backpack for the hike. I had been wishing I had a pair of gaiters for my pants. I knew it would be damp out today because the previous day's weather was rainy. Without gaiters, my pants become damp on the bottom, and the damp would creep up my legs. I decided to make a quick run to Allegheny Outfitters and check out their selection. Fortunately, they had a pair that would meet my needs and that I felt I could afford. They indeed came in handy today!
Obviously, hiking can happen in any season, but I generally need to wait until springtime because I lack the gear for winter hiking. I usually wait until the temperature is at least in the 30s and there is no risk of icy surfaces. Today was a little colder than I like to hike in, hovering at about 32 degrees. But I was prepared with sturdy boots, gloves, and a few layers of clothes.
I aimed to start at the Henry's Mills Trailhead and head south. The mile marker for my start today was just between 232 and 233. I chose this spot because I am determined to cover the entirety of the North Country Trail within the Allegheny National Forest by the end of the summer. This was an area of the North Country Trail within the Allegheny National Forest that I had never been on. I had been to Henry's Mills as part of the Allegheny 100 hike in 2021, but it was the start of a northbound hike.
Once there, I planned to hike south for an hour and then back to my car. I was hoping that I would reach at least two miles in that time. While hiking, I average about 2 mph with a loaded pack, so barring any rough terrain or other issues, this should be easily accomplished.
And off we go.
Winter is beautiful here. And summer is beautiful here. This part of springtime? Not so much. We'll need to give it about a month. Right now, the landscapes look barren, and everything is the same color. The beauty here is in anticipation of the luscious vegetarian to come.
What is especially interesting about trails around here is that many of them have evolved from old logging routes, and you can see remnants of old logging technology. At least, I'm assuming this machinery shown in these pictures is from logging operations. Somebody can correct me if they recognize the pieces more specifically.
I saw the pieces below and got these pictures. That's also when I decided I should start this new blog.
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| What do you think this is? It's as large as a pontoon boat but high up a steep hillside! |
I decided then to take a few pictures of the scenery. Streams are always beautiful. This one is called Messenger Run.
Next, I came across one of the trail's established campsites. I saw the marker for it next to the blue blaze, looked around for the campsite for several minutes, and couldn't find it! I actually gave up looking for it, and as I headed back to resume walking, I found it. The campfire ring was buried under some leaves, so I cleared the leaves away. On the trail map, this is called the Messenger Run Campsite.
And now we're almost back to my car. I took a picture from very high up above my car. The trail came down some very long switchback segments. That picture is not included here because it didn't turn out very well.
As I approached the end of the section, just before the trail crossed the main road, I came across this trailhead marker. This sign shows you that I was beginning at RT. 666. If I were heading northbound, I would come out at RT 948 in 3.8 miles. THAT is a very beautiful spot called Cherry Run. There is some lovely creekside camping there. Bucket List!
The trailheads of the North Country Trail generally have these signs, maps, and instructions. (I'm sure it's that way with all well-established and maintained trails.) Commonly, hikers will be reminded to Leave No Trace, for example. There may also be warnings such as to look out for invasive species, such as the Spotted Lanternfly, and what to do if you see signs of them.
Thus ended my first hike of 2025! Short, sweet, and to the point.
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