This is along the Allegheny river in western Pa. June 26-27/ 2012
I survived my backpack trip. It was five miles in, spend the night and 5 mi. back out. It starts out like a Pa. rolling hills dirt road. It starts by the bridge in Kenerdell and follows the Allegheny river north. A little over 2 miles in I stop for a break at a walk or paddle in campground. At about 2 and a half miles the road way gets narrower and at three miles the fun is
over and I start hard up and downs.
Mile 4 and 5 are along a steep hillside above the river. The trail narrows as it winds its way through rocks, trees, and fallen trees. The trail also goes down close to the river and back up to as much as 60 yards away from the river about a dozen times in that stretch. There are places the trail is only 6" wide with a 20' dropoff. There are places I could barely fit a foot between the rocks and places I had to climb up short rock faces and rock steps. This was hard physically the first day as It was the 4th and 5th miles of the day.
I woke up the morning of the second day to a beautiful picturesque view and a lovely sunrise, but very sore. My leg muscles ached.
I considered walking down river about a mile and a half to a road and hitchhiking back to the car. That was not why I was here. I wanted to test me and I have read, you will soon forget what it took to finish but never forget if you quit. I wasn't quiting, I can do this. I had a little cold breakfast and lots of water, refilled my water bottles, packed up and started the
five miles back out. These hard two miles where much harder this time.My legs and knees were sore and hurt on the downhills. I was walking very slow and careful and decided to stop every 20 minutes instead of 30. I was starting my third and should be last 20 min. stretch through the hard part and I lost the trail.
I think I went around the right side of a tree when the trail went left and down. It doesn't take long in that terrain to know you're off the trail. I was in a maize of rocks from head to house size with many fallen trees. I carefully picked my way through, knowing the trail was below me but unable to see any markings or sometimes unable to go down. I kept the river in sight as I moved along. Then I fell. I don't remember what happened but I was scrambling down through some rocks and then I was laying with my face in the rocks. A cpl little scrapes on the legs and one trashed hiking pole. It was bridged across a cpl rocks and I landed on it. A quick check of the body and off I go again.
I can see the trail below me. I get down to the trail and right away it goes up again. A serious up but not the last one. I take an over due break and shortly get up to the easier trail. Another mile brings me to the hike/boat in campground. I decide its time for a hot meal and a good rest. After that only 2 1/4 miles to go. It's tough but I make it back to the van.
I did it!! For you real backpackers this isn't much of a trip but this is a bit of progress as I try to get my 64 year old self back in to backpacking. I may not do much more in the summer heat because I hate temps above 75. I'll keep an eye on the weather as I wait for it to cool.
You can see pictures here, I hope
iB::Topic::two day trip along the Allegheny river 
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Backpacking-Clear creek state forest 
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