Who else is itching to get out and do some backpacking in the Allegheny’s wilderness now that winter is coming to an end?

Over the weekend of April 9th and 10th, Friends of Allegheny Wilderness will be backpacking into the backcountry wilds of the 3,022-acre proposed Cornplanter Wilderness Area on the west side of the Allegheny Reservoir in the Allegheny National Forest.

Over the years, we have made many forays into this stunning area, but almost always from the north end, from the Webb's Ferry area.

This trip will mark our first excursion down into the Cornplanter Run drainage toward the south end of the proposed wilderness, from Roper Hollow Road.

Please come and join us for this exhilarating trip into the primeval! Shake off those winter cobwebs!

Naturally, there is no charge to participate in this program, but hikers must bring all of their own food, water, and equipment, and come fully prepared for any weather conditions that we may encounter.

This hike will be all off-trail, so it may be a bit challenging at times. But who doesn't like a good challenge every now and then?

And the flip side of the coin is that we will actually not be covering particularly large distances. The whole hike may be only five miles or so round trip, with the goal being simply to get down into the steep Cornplanter Run gorge and camp for the night in those gorgeous, untrammeled backcountry surroundings.

Far removed from "the hand of man," as Wilderness Act of 1964 author Howard Zahniser might have put it.

We will leave on Saturday late morning or early afternoon from Roper Hollow Road, hike down a side drainage until we get to Cornplanter Run, then follow Cornplanter Run downstream toward the Allegheny Reservoir until we find a good place to camp within the proposed wilderness.

We will then hike out the next day, after a relaxing night under the stars with the owls and coyotes.

If you are interested in joining us for this exciting backpacking trip, please contact FAW at info@pawild.org.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness website.  Sign up for their email updates!

(Photo: Unnamed stream in the proposed Cornplanter Wilderness Area.)

[Posted: March 16, 2022]

3/21/2022