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National Scenic Trails - North Country Trail - Allegheny National Forest Section
The Allegheny National Forest section of the North Country National Scenic Trail is a great walk among rocks and waterfalls, Allegheny Hardwoods, stands of Mountain Laurel. Meander 95 miles through the historic lands of the Iroquois, the Allegheny Plateau, the home of the most valuable Black Cherry and Oak in the world, landscapes rich in history, wildlife, and natural beauty.
Main routes into the forest include SR 66 and 36 from the SW; SR 153, 219 and 948 from the SE; US 6 and 62 from the NW; SR 59 and 219 from the NE; and US 6 (east/west).
Points of Interest
Southern boundary of ANF to Kelletville
- Length: 5.6 miles
- Elevation change: 30 feet
- Quadrangles: Marienville West, Mayurg, Kelletville.
- To access the NCNST, travel SW from Marienville on SR 66; at Roses, go west on Muzette Rd. for 2 miles. The NCNST crosses the road here. Food, gas, lodging, and a medical center are available in Marienville.
- At Salmon Creek, parking and a wooden shelter are on FR 145. Fish Salmon and Little Salmon Creeks. You may see oil jacks. Caution: oil jacks are on automatic timers and may become operational at any time. Along the NCNST enjoy scenic outcrops, overlooks, and beautiful views of Salmon Creek Valley. Fourmile Run, a Wilderness Trout Stream, offers fishing in a pristine environment! As you climb out of Fourmile Run, rock outcrops, blowdown from the 1985 Tornado, and another spectacular set of rock outcrops and ledges will attract your from FR 399 to FR 127.
- After traveling west on FR 127 for about 1000 feet, you enter private ownership. Respect landowners' rights and privacy-stay on the trail (road)! A camping area along Tionesta Creek is maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Food and lodging are a few miles from Kelletville.
Kelletville to Dunham Siding
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation change: 60 feet
- Quadrangles: Cobham, Cherry Grove.
- You will find a beautiful spring at East Fork. Another spring and a stand of old white pine along Beaver Run offer a resting place. The ghost town of Braceville has a level, grassy area, with oaks and large white pines, suitable for camping (south of Coal bed Run about 1/2 mile).
- An old railroad (RR) grade, ormerly a part of the Tionesta Valley RR leads to the junction of the Tanbark Trail. The grade was used by Rogers Lumber Company of Rogertown to ship lumber to Warren or Sheffield. A mineral spring with a strong, hard-water taste is a favorite deer lick here.
Dunham Siding to Minister Creek
- Length: 5.0 miles
- Elevation change: 440 feet
- Quadrangles: Cherry Grove.
- The Hearts Content Recreation Area (campsites, water, restrooms) or Hickory Creek Wilderness can be reached by taking the Tanbark Trail west past FR 119, the southern wilderness boundary.
- From FR 116 to FR 419, the NCNST is skiable. Beyond FR 419 on to West Branch of Minister Creek, you'll pass thorough a fenced, gated area. The fence protects regenerated trees from deer. A RR grade leads to Triple Forks Camp and Minister Creek Trail; about 3 miles south is the Minister Creek Campground on SR 666 (rustic campsites, water, restrooms).
- After you move through the tornado swath, note the large boulders.
Minister Creek to Tionesta Scenic Area
- Length: 15.3 miles
- Elevation change: 430 feet
- Quadrangles: Cherry Grove, Sheffield, Ludlow.
- After crossing Vandergriff Rd. and Fool's Creek, a bronze plaque on a rock (west of FR 255) commemorates the Allegheny Outdoor Club. East of Lower Sheriff Run, notice the large sandstone and conglomerate rocks, and another fenced clear cut. Parking for 3-4 cars is at FR 179. As you near the overnight shelter near Upper Sheriff Creek, note again a RR grade of the past.
- At Messenger Run, notice the old roads, pipe, tanks, and powerhouse, relics from an earlier time. Watch for the old logging locomotive! The RR grade is again part of the trail at this point. Parking is available on SR 666.
- Between FR 413 and 103 notice the old hemlocks as you approach SR 948. Parking is not safe on SR 948 - dangerous shoulders. food, gas, and emergency medical facilities are available in Sheffield (5.5 miles N). Cross the South Branch of Tionesta Creek via the FR 148 bridge. Parking and dispersed camping are available on FR 148 near the creek. Fishing is excellent.
- The next area of big rocks are at the Tionesta Scenic Area. Big timber much of it 300-400 years old, is yours to enjoy. At the junction with Twin Lakes Trail remember that NCNST is signed in blue. The best view of the 1985 Tornado Swath is at the northern end of the pipeline (built in 1910). Note the stump of a 36" Superior Cherry Tree (100 feet tall) felled by the tornado. You will intercept the Tionesta Scenic Area Interpretive Trail (gray blazes). For an outstanding view of the 1985 Tornado Swath take the short loop road to the viewing platform. The loop returns to the NCNST exit.
Tionesta Scenic Area to SR 321
- Length: 10.7 miles
- Elevation change: 400 feet
- Quadrangles: Ludlow, Kane.
- The trail along East Branch of Tionesta Creek up to FR 133 is beautiful! Hemlocks and small waterfalls. Excellent fishing.
- At the junction with Wetmore Rd., food is available l.5 miles east. On the trail, note a Red Pine plantation just west of the RR tracks. At the junction with US 6, Kane is 7 miles east (full service community). As you climb to Gibbs Hill, enjoy the vistas on both sides, created with special funds from area timber sales. At the junction of Gibbs Hill Rd. (TR 308), go east to SR 321 for food and lodging, then north to Blissville. If you stay on the trail, you will see another plaque just before Red Bridge.
SR 321 to New York
- Length: 28.7 miles
- Elevation change: 650 feet
- Quadrangles: Cornplanter Bridge, Westline, Stickney, Cornplanter Run.
- At Kinzua Arm, parking available near SR 321 bridge. Red Bridge Recreation Area is 1000 feet north on SR 321 (campsites, restrooms, hot showers in summer). After climbing an extremely steep side hill, drop down to a wildlife opening near Root Run. Shrubs for turkey and apple trees for deer have been planted. After FR 142, see a prime example of Allegheny Hardwoods.
- At Chappel Fork, note the large Black Cherry trees. Parking is available on SR 321 for 12 cars. Junction of Chappel Bay and Hemlock Run - these dead trees provide valuable habitat for wildlife species that require snags and insect-riddled trees for cover and food.
- As you climb out of Hemlock Run, find level campsites, low bush blueberries (August) and springs. After crossing FR 265, you meet SR 59 and an area of dense Mountain Laurel (blooms in mid-June). After crossing FR 630, you will find a good campsite in Hammond Run. Spectacular scenery down the run; expect wet feet where Hammond Run Intersects with Sugar Run. Note the large maples.
- Large field of goldenrod near SR 321 bridge (July-September). Parking for 6 cars. A plaque near the mouth of Run commemorates the Allegheny Outdoor Club. Some say this is the most scenic part of the trail. Watch for Maidenhair Fern.
- Handsome Lake Campground offers campsites restrooms, water. Access is via a marked side trail. The NCNST does not go to Handsome Lake Campground. Via the Johnnycake or Tracy Ridge Trails you can also go to the Tracy Ridge Recreation Area. (campsites, restrooms, water - except winter).
- After passing through some beautiful hardwood stands, you reach SR 346; just west is Willow Bay Recreation Area (campsites, water, boat launch, picnic area). Parking for 8 cars.
- As you move north, the NCNST will connect with the Finger Lakes Trail portion of the NCNST in Allegheny State Park.
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