The Youghiogheny River

The Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park in southwestern PA is one of the foremost white water rivers in the east. Known as the Yough (rhymes with sock) has 3 sections. The upper and middle are milder with Class I and II runs. The lower Yough has Class III and IV, depending on river levels. They are separated by the Ohiopyle Falls, a 25' drop on the main channel.


A beautiful trail system exists in the area. They are a mix of foot trails like the Ferncliff Trail

and bike or foot trails like the Youghiogheny River Trail which, by one name or another, connects a bike trail from Pittsburgh to Washington.

The trails give access to scenes like this small waterfall on the Youghiogheny River trail


and to Cucumber Falls.


The trails are gems, but I have one criticism. The main gem of the Ohiopyle State Park area is the rapids on the Yough. Except for the put-in and take-out points, the river is all but inaccessible. With a little bit of planning, design and effort, some rough trails could be made that would allow access to the runs. One such has been made by repeated use. It takes some effort and a LOT of care, but is worth it (even if getting there and back DID put me back on tylenol).

Surf's up, dude!





These rafters said the river was so easy that they could paddle it using just one hand!
Sometimes I wonder about people...

If you want to get wet but don't want to paddle the river, there is always the Sliding Rock area. In North Carolina, the Sliding Rock area was wide and mostly a thin film of water over the rocks. Here, the stream has worn a channel into the rocks and is a LOT faster than in NC.


The lower end of the sliding area finishes with a shallow pool, then a small waterfall into a deeper pool.