Members who came to the Summer Planning Meeting got a lot more than the chance to add their own input to the club’s schedule.
The occasion was hosted by John and Debra Young at their house on Town Line Road. The planned picnic was held inside due to rain but that didn’t dampen spirits. There was plenty of comfortable room and plenty of good food. About the time people were finishing their deserts someone commented on the big dog in the back yard – “No, it’s a bear!” A small bear was sniffing at the bird feeder. Soon he (she?) determined there was nothing to eat and wandered into the side yard. We crowded into a north room to watch as the bear stood to reveal a white, triangular “bib” on its chest. After a while the bear wandered into the woods and the people wandered back to the living room. Before the excitement of the bear had subsided someone saw a moving dark object across the field from the house. Soon there was a huddle at the windows watching a red fox stalking a turkey. The fox disappeared into high brush and couldn’t be seen. The turkey must have known what was going on because instead of entering the brush, which it was headed for, it flew over the brush, and resumably over the fox, to land in more open field where it resumed feeding.
After the sightings had been thoroughly discussed we turned to business. This quarter the club is involved in not only its own events but is hosting the hiking at the Keystone Trails Association Meeting to be held at Marienville. You can now find the AOC events for this summer at the Schedule of Events page at this web site. Our thanks to John and Debra for hosting the picnic and meeting at their house.
A week or so ago I had to settle for my third choice of routes to lead for the June 7 hike. The trail does not get much traffic and hasn't been maintained for several years, blowdowns are a prominent feature, but I like the area and don't think going over, around or under downed trees is a problem. Apparently not everyone agrees. Here is Pat's account of the day. At least we all agreed about dinner. John
AOC Hike: 6-7-2009, Tracy Ridge Campground to Nelse Run Trailhead.
The hike wasn’t exactly as advertized. All downhill? Nada!
We started the hike with 15 participants and two dogs. (We gained one more in the trail and still another in the parking lot at the end.) By 2:30 we had the vehicles placed for the shuttle. Our leader, John Shinaberger, warned of 5 major downed trees that that we would encounter. The aftermath of the recent rain manifested itself in the hatch of particularly annoying gnats that seemed to be immune to the various repellents we had on hand.
The trail is in poor condition.
John’s GPS indicated that the hike was 5.7 miles long, we walked at 2.3 mph, and that the actual moving time was 2:28. The high humidity, the rocky, oak leaf covered trail, and the appearance of BLACK FLIES made the hike seem much longer. We crossed the bridge at Nelse Run about 5:45 and started to talk about supper. As soon as the word Docksiders was mentioned, huge smiles erased the stress of the bugs and the humidity.
Docksiders staff seated our 11 diners in what they referred to as their gazebo, but we (at least the women) knew was really a pergola….the men of the group could not grasp the desirability of such a structure…..and a fun discussion ensued. The food was very good, the entertainment perfect for the setting, the facility was nice (clean washrooms, much appreciated), and the wait staff excellent.
A waitress asked, “What is the special occasion that brought our group together?” My reply, “It is a Sunday afternoon and we, the Allegheny Outdoor Club have been on a hike. We have been participating in non-motorized outdoor activities often followed with supper and good conversations…. for over 40 years.”
Think about it. Adults, (for the most part) choosing to spend many of their precious non-work hours together while participating in hiking, cycling, canoeing/kayaking, x country skiing/snowshoeing, every week for over 40 years. I am very proud of our group and look forward to the next adventure and for many more in the years to come.
John Shinaberger lead this 5.7 mile hike that began at the campgrounds on Tracy Ridge on the Bradford side of the Kinzua Reservoir and went south to the North Country Trail Trailhead on Route 321 at Nelse Run. It is a pleasant walk through mostly hardwood forest and crosses a wooden bridge on Nelse Run, and it’s downhill! Meet at the Nelse Run Trailhead at 2:00 PM. The group will then drive to Tracy Ridge leaving a car at Nelse to shuttle drivers.
Click on "Schedules" in the navigation bar, above, to see the new schedule.
Sunday, July 12
Bike along the shores of Lake Wilhelm in Mercer County. Meet at Betts Field at 9:30 AM or at Boat Launch Number Four on the lake at 11:00. Leader Pat Spicer, 814-757-8331.
Here is Bill Massa's recent report on improvements to the Morrison Trail.
The project KTA I got underway at MorrisonTrail this morning (Monday, June 15, ed.). Two pieces of equipment and operators courtesy of the USFS and a five-person crew from FCI-Bradford, plus Gene and myself worked. Gene wanted to see if we needed any other AOC volunteers and it looks like we do not. They are laying and pinning down 6-foot wide geotextile material and covering it with a special gravel-stone mixture (1" or less fines). Because of the technique used, the material will take the project well beyond the first big drainage. This is an invite for AOC members to come see the progress. Three hikers from Washington, PA have already shook hands and thanked the crew for the effort. 
At the recent planning meeting Bill reported that the 1000 feet of improvements scheduled for this year would be done in the next few days. He added that a raised walkway is being considered on this same section of trail.
There are plans to request additional funds to continue the improvements. A Forest Service representative expressed the hope that the trail turnpiking would continue from the existing improvements to the tee.
Also at the planning meeting, Bill reported that construction to the viewing platform at the Kinzua Dam is expected to be completed within the next two months.
